"an empty crib and a raven with a scroll in its beak"

March 22, 2021 8:53 AM

"I am concerned that you did not receive my previous missive, although my raven reports that you took the letter and appeared to read it." "The Ransom of Miss Coraline Connelly" by Alix E. Harrow, an epistolary short story published last year in Fireside. Content note [spoiler, so, in extended description].

Content note for post-partum depression, but no danger to the child.

posted by brainwane (17 comments total)

This was utterly delightful. I especially loved the change of address at the end.

Thank you, brainwane! This is marvellous.
posted by kristi at 9:42 AM on March 22, 2021 [2 favorites]

Very nice -- thank you!
posted by darkstar at 10:01 AM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

Nice.
posted by signal at 10:25 AM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

I LOVE Alix E. Harrow! Her novel The Ten Thousand Doors of January is one of the best YA books I've read in ages. So excited to read this, thank you!
posted by catoclock at 11:24 AM on March 22, 2021 [3 favorites]

Adorable - thank you for posting it!
posted by tautological at 12:24 PM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

That was lovely, thank you. Although I am apparently more fragile than I thought this morning, I am grateful to be introduced to such delightful writing.
posted by arha at 3:16 PM on March 22, 2021 [2 favorites]

Seconding The Ten Thousand Doors of January. A few times I had to remind myself that it was a YA book--the writing is that good. Ends with a hint of a sequel, or even series, or was that my imagination? Certainly works on its own.
posted by zardoz at 3:28 PM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

That was charming and a lovely update to the O. Henry story.

Her book The Once and Future Witches was also great, better than January I think.
posted by jeather at 4:34 PM on March 22, 2021 [4 favorites]

Yes.
And thank you for the introduction to an author.
posted by TrishaU at 6:32 PM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

As a mom with two little ones (and may Daniel Tiger songs rattling around my brain) this got me right in the feels. Thank you for posting. I've had The Ten Thousand Doors of January on hold at the library and now I'm excited for when it comes in.
posted by entropyiswinning at 6:57 PM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

Oh this was good.
posted by Wretch729 at 7:54 PM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

That was fun! Thank you for posting.
posted by BoscosMom at 8:01 PM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

That was brilliant.
posted by mephron at 9:15 PM on March 22, 2021 [1 favorite]

I think in the UK The Ten Thousand Doors of January was published as adult fiction, not YA. At least, the science fiction and fantasy shelves are where I saw it in bookshops.

And it's a wonderful book, and as I've just realised that I only have a digital edition, it's going on my order list for the local bookshop. Meanwhile, The Once and Future Witches isn't due out in paperback till October(!), which is a long enough time to wait that I may end up doing the same trick again, impatiently buying the e-book and then feeling compelled to get a paperback later too.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 5:51 AM on March 23, 2021

(Also, yes, this is a lovely story, and thank you for posting it!)
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 5:52 AM on March 23, 2021 [1 favorite]

It is an utterly delightful (If a bit heartbreaking in parts). It is also a compelling argument for reading more of her work which I'll have to add to my list.
posted by KirTakat at 10:23 AM on March 23, 2021

Late to the party, but I liked the twist on the twist of the O Henry Story.
As to the January book, I didn't realize it was classified as YA although it's a story about a young person. Good thing, as I usually don't read them, and this was very, very good. Putting the Witches book on hold at the library now.
posted by AMyNameIs at 3:30 PM on March 23, 2021 [1 favorite]