A review by danielle_w
Foxfire, Wolfskin and other stories of shapeshifting women by Sharon Blackie

3.0

I read this one in a book club. This is a book of short stories written by Sharon Blackie. Each short story is a retelling of a (mainly European) myth with a women-centric view. What I liked about it is that she showed many different kinds of women and their many different desires, without falling into the angel or demon dichotomy. However, some of the short stories just didn't gel with me. For example, Mis and Dub Ruis's story in which Mis's sanity is only restored by Dub Ruis's seducing her- I know this one was also retold by Ni Dohmnaill as well * but I just don't think anyone can turn this one into an empowering story for women, however much creativity and genius is given to it. However, some of these were absolutely beautiful and lyrical and I adored them; particular mention goes to the Snow Queen, No Country for Old Women, and the one with the cattle and the good old husband whose dog died (can't remember the name).

*pointed out in Geofeminism in Irish and Diasporic Culture: Intimate Cartographies by Christin M. Mulligan