Mary Gentle

Mary Gentle, born in 1956, is a British writer recognized for her contributions to science fiction and fantasy literature. Her career began with young-adult fantasy, but she gained significant attention for the Orthe duology, comprising "Golden Witchbreed" and "Ancient Light".

Gentle's "White Crow" sequence, including "Rats and Gargoyles," "The Architecture of Desire," and "Left to His Own Devices," explores themes of Hermetic magic and alchemy within alternate histories of England. These novels, along with several short stories, feature protagonists who retain core identities across shifting realities, reminiscent of Michael Moorcock's serial characters. Her work often incorporates historical and literary allusions, delving into esoteric ideas.

She has also penned "Grunts!," a satirical take on high fantasy tropes, and the epic science fantasy "Ash: A Secret History," which earned her the Sidewise Award for Alternate History. Additionally, Gentle has written erotic novels under the pseudonym Roxanne Morgan.

The "White Crow" sequence, a collection of novels and short stories, stands out for its intricate world-building and thematic depth. Works like "Rats and Gargoyles," "The Architecture of Desire," and "Left to His Own Devices" are set in alternate versions of history, particularly a 17th-century England where Renaissance Hermetic magic has supplanted scientific development. This approach allows Gentle to explore historical esotericism and alchemy, weaving them into the fabric of her narratives. The series features recurring protagonists, Valentine (also known as the White Crow) and Casaubon, whose fundamental characteristics persist across different settings and timelines, a narrative technique that echoes the serial nature of characters like Jerry Cornelius. The inclusion of a cyberpunk-tinged near future in "Left to His Own Devices" demonstrates the sequence's broad scope and its engagement with diverse speculative elements.

Beyond her more thematically dense sequences, Mary Gentle has also demonstrated a talent for satire and grand-scale epic fantasy. Her novel "Grunts!" is a notable example of the former, offering a humorous and often dark parody of conventional mass-market high fantasy. By casting orcs as heroes and featuring elements like murderous halflings and prejudiced elves, she subverts common fantasy tropes. On the epic scale, "Ash: A Secret History" is a monumental science fantasy narrative that garnered critical acclaim, including the Sidewise Award for Alternate History. This multi-volume work, set in a shared timeline with her later novel "Ilario," showcases Gentle's ability to construct expansive, complex worlds rich with historical and imaginative detail.

In addition to her work under her own name, Mary Gentle has explored different genres and styles through her pseudonym Roxanne Morgan. Under this name, she has authored several erotic novels, including titles like "Dares," "Bets," and "Sinner Takes All." This creative output under a different identity highlights the breadth of her literary interests. Furthermore, Gentle's short fiction has been collected in various volumes, such as "Scholars and Soldiers" and "Cartomancy." Some of these short stories are linked to the "White Crow" sequence or the Weerde shared universe created by the Midnight Rose collective, to which Gentle belonged, demonstrating her engagement with collaborative and interconnected fictional projects.