A review by medievalfantasyqueen
Apple and Knife by Intan Paramaditha

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A collection of short stories inspired by folktales and fairytales, with Islam and Indonesian regional beliefs and mythologies serving as the backdrop and fundamental thrust into the exploration of the dark, macabre, grotesque and the gothic. Be prepared to find descriptions of blood, gore and decay in the slow turning way as the shimmering facade of identities and societies are scabbed and torn away, revealing the dark feminine of the female characters that appear in each tale. Growing up in Singapore, I am familiar with some of the legends and folktales covered, but the feminist reimaginings were very welcome. My favourites from the collection were Doors, Beauty and the Seventh Dwarf and Kuchuk Hanem.