Line #6 Literature/TheReturnOfTheBlackWidowers


1	[[quoteright:314:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/73794.jpg]]
2	Published in 2003 and edited by Creator/CharlesArdai, this book represents the last collection of the Literature/BlackWidowers written by Creator/IsaacAsimov. Each of the previous collections included twelve stories that had previously only been published in magazines and anthologies. Only six new stories had been written by the time he DiedDuringProduction, preventing him from finishing the collection.
3
4	So the book was entrusted to Ardai, who selected ten [[GreatestHitsAlbum "best of" the previously written Black Widower stories]], reprinted two additional Black Widower {{Homage}}s that were commissioned for ''Magazine/ElleryQueensMysteryMagazine'', reprinted the "Birth of the Black Widowers" section from ''Literature/IAsimovAMemoir'', and convinced Creator/HarlanEllison to provide a foreword (who, in turn, requested "Literature/TheWomanInTheBar" be included in the collection).
5	----
6	!!Works in the collection:
7	[[index]]
8	* "Literature/TheAcquisitiveChuckle"
9	* "Literature/PhAsInPhony"
10	* "Literature/EarlySundayMorning"
11	* "Literature/TheObviousFactor"
12	* "Literature/TheIronGem"
13	* "Literature/ToTheBarest"
14	* "Literature/SixtyMillionTrillionCombinations"
15	* "Literature/TheRedhead"
16	* "Literature/TheWrongHouse"
17	* "Literature/TripleDevil"
18	* "Literature/TheMenWhoReadIsaacAsimov" (by Creator/WilliamBrittain)
19	* "{{Literature/Northwestward}}"
20	* "Literature/YesButWhy"
21	* "Literature/LostInASpaceWarp"
22	* "Literature/PoliceAtTheDoor"
23	* "Literature/TheHauntedCabin"
24	* "Literature/TheGuestsGuest"
25	* "Literature/TheWomanInTheBar"
26	* "Literature/TheLastStory" (by Creator/CharlesArdai)
27	[[/index]]
28	----
29	!!Tropes from the collection:
30	* AccidentalMisnaming: One of the stories shared by Creator/HarlanEllison in the foreword, is that he would call Dr Asimov and pretend to be different people, who would typically get the name wrong, saying Emisov or Akisov.
31	* AffectionateNickname: During the foreword, Creator/HarlanEllison ends his story by calling Dr Asimov "The Good Doctor".
32	* {{Anthology}}: This book represents the sixth and last collection of the Literature/BlackWidowers mysteries.
33	* BookEnds: The foreword starts by talking about how Creator/HarlanEllison is still calling Creator/IsaacAsimov for advice, despite it being ten years since he was alive. At the end of the foreword, Ellison says that he’ll send Asimov our best when he calls again.
34	* BilledAboveTheTitle: Several font sizes are used, and "Isaac" is printed relatively small compared to "Black Widowers", but "Asimov" takes up a quarter of the cover by itself. Much larger than the full name of the work or the small spider that appears on the cover.
35	* CoversAlwaysLie: This book has a mostly plain cover, with a small picture of a spider to reference the AnimalMetaphor of their club name.
36	* DeathIsASadThing: Because Dr Asimov died in 1992, it was known that [[DiedDuringProduction no additional stories]] would be added to the Literature/BlackWidowers files. For this 2003 book, Creator/HarlanEllison writes a pain-filled foreword, about how he still calls Asimov for advice, even ten years later.
37	* {{Dedication}}: Creator/CharlesArdai dedicated this book to Dr Asimov, of course, and to the people who control his estate.
38	--> ''For Isaac, with love; for Janet, Janet, and Otto, with thanks; and for Michael, because I promised.''
39	* DisneyOwnsThisTrope: Any time Creator/HarlanEllison’s name appears in the book, it is followed by the registered trademark symbol.
40	* FunetikAksent: In the foreword, Creator/HarlanEllison included a number of phonetically spelled words, such as "howzabout", "gardyloo", and "c'mon".
41	* GreatestHitsAlbum: Out of the sixty Literature/BlackWidowers stories previously published in collections, ten were chosen as the "best of" the series.
42	* {{Homage}}:
43	** The foreword, written by Creator/HarlanEllison, celebrates the life and writings of Creator/IsaacAsimov. Harlan addresses the reader directly, sharing side remarks, self-deprecation, and rambling anecdotes, the same style of narration Dr Asimov would commonly use in his nonfiction.
44	** "Literature/TheMenWhoReadIsaacAsimov", by Creator/WilliamBrittain, is included under the literal header of "Homage". The story itself directly references Dr Asimov’s prolific writings, and the characters within attempt to {{Defictionalize}} the Black Widowers, by having monthly dinners together with the aim of solving problems with conversation.
45	** "Literature/TheLastStory", by Creator/CharlesArdai, a new story that takes place in the Black Widowers universe, is included under the header of "Commemoration". The story itself talks about an anthology, with a famous author-turned-editor, who had recently died. The publishers naturally wish to honour the author and publish the anthology, but the story submitted by Dr Asimov is missing, and leaving it out would mean the anthology was one story short.
46	* OrphanedSeries: This [[{{Anthology}} collection]] was only half-finished when [[DiedDuringProduction Dr Asimov's death]] prevented the additional stories being written. To subvert this trope, the Asimov Estate gave Creator/CharlesArdai permission to edit a satisfying conclusion to the series.
47	* {{Pastiche}}: "Literature/TheMenWhoReadIsaacAsimov", by Creator/WilliamBrittain, directly references Dr Asimov’s prolific writings, and the characters within attempt to {{Defictionalize}} the Black Widowers. The host has invited a guest with a puzzle, and together they try to solve it. Naturally, it is the person who serves their drinks who solves the puzzle for them.
48	* SecondPersonNarration: The foreword by Creator/HarlanEllison addresses the reader directly, with side remarks, SelfDeprecation, and rambling anecdotes, [[{{Homage}} the same style of narration Dr Asimov would use in his nonfiction]].

Context Literature / TheReturnOfTheBlackWidowers