Shwartz convinced an impressive range of modern fantasy writers to contribute short stories to Arabesques: the thirteen include Gene Wolfe, Tanith Lee, Jane Yolen, Andre Norton, Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove. Set within a framing story by Shwartz herself, about an English knight stranded in Kashgar, the stories are all located within the fantastic world of classical Islam, with djinn and flying carpets and magical transformations. Some use this just as a setting, while others try to capture something of the form and style of the period's literature. None of the stories are really memorable, but they are all enjoyable and the volume is a pleasant entertainment.

January 2002

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