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4.57 AVERAGE
4.57 AVERAGE
So I guess this is the place to review Alix E. Harrow's short story A Witch's Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies.
This story was great. A librarian, who also happens to be a witch, tries to help a lonely foster kid who comes in to check out fantasy novels. At times, it is laugh out loud funny and at times it is heart wrenching. Though throughout it all it is clever and immersive. I absolutely loved it. A must read for fantasy fans.
This story was great. A librarian, who also happens to be a witch, tries to help a lonely foster kid who comes in to check out fantasy novels. At times, it is laugh out loud funny and at times it is heart wrenching. Though throughout it all it is clever and immersive. I absolutely loved it. A must read for fantasy fans.
Amusing, sad, melancholy, powerful, bittersweet. I don't even know what to say except that it's beautiful and I love it so much. Can be read here.
After reading the Ten Thousand Doors of January, I came across this story and as I was frustrated with the recent book club book, I decided to read it knowing it would make me happy. Published by Apex magazine, this is a short story about a witchy librarian, a lost boy, and a lot of books with something to say. I enjoyed the story and can see how the author might a have gone to writing short stories with a hint of portals/Doors existing to a fully-fledged book about the mysteries of Doors to other worlds.
Merged review:
After reading the Ten Thousand Doors of January, I came across this story and as I was frustrated with the recent book club book, I decided to read it knowing it would make me happy. Published by Apex magazine, this is a short story about a witchy librarian, a lost boy, and a lot of books with something to say. I enjoyed the story and can see how the author might a have gone to writing short stories with a hint of portals/Doors existing to a fully-fledged book about the mysteries of Doors to other worlds.
Merged review:
After reading the Ten Thousand Doors of January, I came across this story and as I was frustrated with the recent book club book, I decided to read it knowing it would make me happy. Published by Apex magazine, this is a short story about a witchy librarian, a lost boy, and a lot of books with something to say. I enjoyed the story and can see how the author might a have gone to writing short stories with a hint of portals/Doors existing to a fully-fledged book about the mysteries of Doors to other worlds.
A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies
So short and simple can it be done, amazing.
Reading this reminded me of my teenage years rummaging though our community library, escaping into a world of wonders and imagination. It also brings back fond memories of the librarians who helped and guided me and not so fond memories of the other kinds who never should have worked in a library.
On-line purchasing and digital copies have made books so more accessible since then and the internet is a inexhaustible source of knowledge about books, which has made the librarian as a guide/tutor more or less redundant, but I’m not sure we haven’t lost something valuable in the process.
Thanks to Cecily for recommending.
So short and simple can it be done, amazing.
Reading this reminded me of my teenage years rummaging though our community library, escaping into a world of wonders and imagination. It also brings back fond memories of the librarians who helped and guided me and not so fond memories of the other kinds who never should have worked in a library.
On-line purchasing and digital copies have made books so more accessible since then and the internet is a inexhaustible source of knowledge about books, which has made the librarian as a guide/tutor more or less redundant, but I’m not sure we haven’t lost something valuable in the process.
Thanks to Cecily for recommending.
Best quote:
It’s official library policy to report truants to the high school, because the school board felt we were becoming “a haven for unsupervised and illicit teenage activity.” I happen to think that’s exactly what libraries should aspire to be, and suggested we get it engraved on a plaque for the front door."
It’s official library policy to report truants to the high school, because the school board felt we were becoming “a haven for unsupervised and illicit teenage activity.” I happen to think that’s exactly what libraries should aspire to be, and suggested we get it engraved on a plaque for the front door."
Absolutely gorgeous short story written by someone with a deep love for stories, books and Libraries.
Merged review:
Absolutely gorgeous short story written by someone with a deep love for stories, books and Libraries.
Merged review:
Absolutely gorgeous short story written by someone with a deep love for stories, books and Libraries.
This won the Hugo Best Short Story award (2019) and a few others and is a wonderfully empathic, rich and warm glimpse into a world of witchy librarians, runaway foster kids and the transformative power of books. Sounds obvious but handled in a skilled, sensitive and enthralling manner. Deserved winner.
A fantastic short story. It manages to get so much charm and emotion in to such a short read. I loved it and recommend it.
Al principio no me convencía mucho porque las historias que me lanzan títulos de obras a la cara sin más me parece que van a lo fácil apelando a lo conocido. Entiendo que aquí tenía más sentido, pero me parece mal ejecutado. Sin embargo, es fácil dejarse llevar por el sentimiento familiar de NECESITAR perderte en un libro, y eso me ha dejado un poso muy agradable.