Ponge, as its inhabitants will tell you, is a thoroughly unattractive city. "Well," they always say at the mention of any horrible news, "we do live in Ponge."

"Gaiman has enjoyed a career of stunning diversity, and this book feels almost self-consciously summational. . . ."

A man's head rested among the cabbages. / He had black hair, and the kind of olive skin that / some women find exotic when they don't know / better. "I am Orpheus," he said.

Our question this week: What is the most interesting encounter you've ever had with an alien animal species?