On the Banks of the River of Heaven

"Deceptively simple, earnest, and tragicomic, Parks's tales convey deep truths beneath narratives that tumble along like limpid streams. Whether exploring Oriental mythologies, or creating Dunsanylan wonderlands, Parks delivers stories that are rooted very tangibly in specific times and places, yet which are underpinned by eternal issues."---Asimov's, for The Ogre's Wife

"These stories are mostly darker, mythologically based and all about gods and heroes, demons and angels, and spells and hauntings. Many will rejoice that his work has so much heart."---Booklist, for Worshipping Small Gods

"No matter how outlandish the setting of the story, or how other from us his characters appear, Parks always manages to convince us of the humanity that lies at their hearts and has us care for them...we should appreciate the diversity and skill he brings to the page and just be glad that there still are writers who have so many different things to say, with so many unexpected settings and characters."---F&SF, for Worshipping Small Gods

"In his outstanding second short story collection, Parks blends wry wit and profound insight with myths and folklore from around the globe...Blurring the lines between science fiction, fantasy, horror and spiritual speculation, this compilation of fourteen magical and supernatural tales is as entertaining as it is edifying."---Publishers Weekly, starred review, for Worshipping Small Gods

"Discovering Richard Parks's fiction is like discovering a wise Zen master pumping gas at a service station or a weathered swami slinging burgers at your favorite corner diner: transcendence in the midst of the ordinary, right where it ought to be."---Strange Horizons, for The Ogre's Wife