Nobody's Home

Nobody’s Home is a beautifully illustrated little chapbook that is set in the world of Tim Powers’ 1983 novel The Anubis Gates. This is a Regency England ghost tale, taking place in the wild and woolly pre-Victorian London that could barely govern itself, wilder even than the London of Jack the Ripper. At a mere eighty pages, this is a tightly crafted story, one that moves along at a steady pace without too many distractions.Since I am a big Tim Powers’ fan, I am curious how this book would come across to someone who isn’t familiar with The Anubis Gates, or even Powers’ general secret history style of writing. In my own experience, this can go one of two ways. You are either fascinated or deeply confused by his work. I suspect that Nobody’s Home would be much the same. I have conflicting evidence for this.I think I would describe this book as something like fanservice, because Powers has returned to the setting of one of his greatest books more than thirty years later. Not only has he returned to a setting he has previously established, he has also incorporated the mechanics of ghosts and hauntings he narrated so convincingly in Expiration Date, the second book in the Fault Lines trilogy.In addition, Subterranean Press puts out lots of fancy editions of Tim Powers’ books, many of which, like this one, have a list price of $35 USD for an eighty page book. This is a beautiful volume, but that seems a little steep! The market would appear to be devoted fans like myself.On the other hand, I find that many of the reviews of this book dwell upon how short it is, or that it doesn’t dwell upon the mysteries of Powers’ fictional world at sufficient length. Since most of these reviews seem to be written by fans of Powers’ work, that makes me think that this is, in fact, a decent introduction that isn’t too convoluted. I would hope that with more than thirty years of experience, Powers would be able to craft something intriguing and accessible to more casual readers, while still offering the Tim Powers’ experience to his many fans.With that in mind, I can say that I was rather satisfied by how Powers’ blended the time-traveling world of The Anubis Gates with his later ghost stories into a harmonious whole. I found it rather fun, and I wasn’t sad that this wasn’t a novel, because the novel already existed. I suppose I’m just strange.I would be willing to lend this short story to someone who had never read Powers, in the hope that it might be intriguing enough that they would look up his other works. I also enjoyed this book as an artifact, in how it was clearly crafted for a fan like myself. This was a fun book, and I hope that it can be enjoyed in the spirit that spurred its creation.

I love Tim Powers' stories, and this short story/ novella continues and contributes to his great cryptohistories. A wonderful read

I have enjoyed Powers work for years. He really makes the ideas live - not just the characters. I love the way historical monsters and lore are woven into a believable story line (if you find any of the fantasy believable). This was tied into an earlier work, but I do like longer stories, generally.

OK. I am a sucker for Tim Powers. This was a short story in the world of Anubis Gate but with a little of Expiration Date, the second in the Fault Lines trilogy, which is my favorite of his series. My only complaint is that it was not a novel with his usual complexities and imagination.

I am a fan of most of Tim Powers' books. This novella is enjoyable, but nothing special.

The modern Tim Powers work just isn't up to the level of his old stuff.

Nice new characters set in the same world setting as Anubis Gates. Can enjoy this story even if you have not read the previous novel.Hope he writes more in this setting.

I was hoping for a new Powers book, but this is just a short story, a sort of prequel to the Anubis Gates. It will only make sense if you read Anubis Gates first (which is worth reading).

I'm torn, I really am. I have been a MASSIVE fan of Tim Powers since I first stumbled upon 'The Anubis Gates' in my local library when I was about 15. 'Declare' and 'Last Call' are is still two of the most awesome books I have ever read.a couple of critical points and then I will stop shouting...1) DO NOT EXPECT A NOVEL.- this is a VERY short story. (I read it in about 27 minutes but I do read quite quickly.)2) BUT THE QUALITY OF PRINTING/IMAGES IS EXCELLENT. (if you like that kind of thing)3) FOR THE COLLECTOR - I would say, for anybody else, I could describe the plot in about 7 minutes and you would have saved a substantial amount of cash.Arrghh! Tim, I was hoping for a book the size of 'Hide me amongst the graves', instead I got a magazine length short story, although exceptionally printed, for a lot more than the cost of a magazine. Well written - goes without saying but SO SHORT!Just going to reset my 'when is Tim Powers next book out?' timer and hope the next one is more substantial....(Whilst I am at it, George RR Martin - pull your finger out!)

rip off

Each new Tim Powers publication sends his small-in-number-but-fiercely-loyal fans into frenzy. This is in part due to his ‘quality over quantity’ approach but mostly—as any Powers fan will tell you—because of how brilliant his writing is. In an age where you’re bound to find a lot of writers Tweeting what they had breakfast, Powers reserves his right to remain silent on public media platforms. I can appreciate a little secrecy and I know I’m not the only one; more than one Powers fan I’ve spoken to has mentioned that his enigmatic personality is a part of the appeal.In Nobody’s Home (a title that in typical Powers fashion has multiple meanings), we are taken back to the Victorian world of his cult novel The Anubis Gates. The story is pretty short, at eighty-seven pages it’s hardly an entrée, but it is no less splendid than anything else Powers has written. Nobody’s Home could be read as a stand-alone because it’s a prequel but it works best when read after The Anubis Gates. The story is streamlined and the characters are few but the writing is as rich and elegant as ever. It would seem a little silly to get into the plot summary for such a short book. You can find that out in an hour of uninterrupted reading time.The price could be a turn off for some and I admit, $35 for a trade edition for a book of such small dimensions seems a little steep. Things to consider: 1. This is a brand new story published in limited numbers, 2. It features eight illustrations (manipulated photographs) by the unstoppable J. K. Potter. Nobody’s Home was also published as a signed limited edition for $75 and lettered for $350. A cheap e-book is also available for the frugal ones among us.

I haven't read this yet as it (eventually) arrived today but for the price I was expecting a full length novel and not a short story - 85 pages of large print including pictures. Not impressed. Will not be pre-ordering again.