This isn't the finest collection of his stories I can think of, but Gene Wolfe, on a bad day, is better than nearly any other American writing today. It has become cliche to note that he is probably the finest science fiction writer alive today, but it is true. LeGuin says he's "our Melville." Yup. ( )

I liked almost all the stories. The following is more my reflection on the subject, rather than on the style or prose, which are always masterful. Hit is +, miss is -:

+ Viewpoint (2001)
Tough woodsman stars in reality show.
- Rattler, with Brian Hopkins (2004)
A tall country tale about a truck.
- In Glory like Their Star (2001)
- Calamity Warps (2003)
Shadowy business with a dog rescue.
+ Graylord Man's Last Words (2003)
Mechanical memoirs of historic neglect.
+ Shields of Mars (2002)
Ends in an epic sword battle on the parapets of a deserted Martian atmosphere plant.
+ From the Cradle (2002)
May-December meeting in a bookshop.
- Black Shoes (2003)
Ghost mermaids facilitate guilt trip.
+ Has Anybody Seen Junie Moon? (1999)
- Pulp Cover (2004)
+ Of Soil and Climate (2004)
- The Dog of the Drops (2002)
- Mute (2002)
- Petting Zoo (1997)
+ Castaway (2003)
+ The Fat Magician (2000)
- Hunter Lake (2003)
+ The Boy Who Hooked the Sun (1985)
- Try and Kill It (1996)
- Game in Pope's Head (1988)
+ Empires of Foliage and Flower (1987)
- The Arimaspian Legacy (1987)
- The Seraph from Its Sepulcher (1991)
- Lord of the Land (1995)
+ Golden City Far (2004) ( )