I love Caroline’s work and this might be one of my fav short stories from her!!! I loved it from start to finish, as Pavel and Catherine try to survive in their way the cruel machinations of the Queen (who is herself extremely troubled by her beastly inclinations). The narrative voice reminds me of Angela Carter, but Caroline has honed her style so much that it is strictly her own, into what I call “literary fairytailism”, with characters motivations, personality, and moral codes shown rather than told, and all accompanied by by lavish descriptions. The story wouldn’t be complete without the questions it raises, however, and I love that it makes us wonder what can make us beastly, and what Beasts exist in each of us (Pavel’s external appearance, of course, but also the Queen’s resentment, Catherine’s impulse to act, etc). One of the beastlier characters in the whole of the story is, of course, the King, as his neglect and cruelty of his wife serves as catalyst and framing of the entire story, and how individual actions often do affect entire stories and populations. The glimmer of hope comes with Pavel and Catherine and their growing family, and what each of them will do to protect each other against a beastly world. Just magic!!!
This was a fun story, actually it put me in a good mood :) I like that Catherine rebelled so fiercely, in comparison to Queen Catherine. Even though the Queen's scheming was complex and roundabout (going through the trouble of creating the family of the Beast), it ultimately failed to better her situation, whereas Catherine acted simply, almost instinctively, and quelled the evil. As some others have commented, the story brings up lots to think about and was satisfying on many levels.
What pierced me most was the way you portrayed commodification. The Beast isn’t simply feared — he’s consumed. Displayed. Monetized. Touched for spectacle. And eventually even the baby becomes negotiable. No one in the palace truly wants to know him. They want to see him, possess him, profit from him.
That distinction stayed with me.
A commodity is consumed. An individual is known.
The tenderness between Pavel and Catherine felt like the only place in the story where humanity wasn’t transactional. In the cage — which is still a cage even with a window — they tell stories. They ask names. They choose one another. That contrast felt intentional and powerful.
And Catherine’s final act didn’t read to me as savagery. It read as refusal. Refusal to let her child become the next exhibit.
This one lingered with me. Thank you for writing it.
What a great story, all these different kinds of beastliness. I found it profoundly sad, the way women are just property to be given away or abandoned until they turn on each other. 🤓
And Pavel too! I’m so glad you liked the story. I really did want to explore the cycle of victimization, abuse, control and just generally “beastly” behavior, so I’m glad that came through for you. Thank you for reading!
This story gave me goosebumps. What a thrilling ride! My favorite lines: “Her pleasure, anyways, was in what the pain promised. She would never be king, but she could create her own kingdom from what lay between her legs.”
Incredible story. I was just at a bunch of panels on fairytales and speculative fiction at AWP, too. How we deal with the horrors of reality through the speculative
Aww thank you Kristen!! So glad you liked the ending - I played with it for a while trying to figure out how to best wrap things up, so I’m glad this one worked for you!
Thank you Shannan and Karan for believing in my story and being the best editors!! I have loved working with y'all on this one <3
You’re very welcome, Caroline. It’s such a pleasure🌻
I love Caroline’s work and this might be one of my fav short stories from her!!! I loved it from start to finish, as Pavel and Catherine try to survive in their way the cruel machinations of the Queen (who is herself extremely troubled by her beastly inclinations). The narrative voice reminds me of Angela Carter, but Caroline has honed her style so much that it is strictly her own, into what I call “literary fairytailism”, with characters motivations, personality, and moral codes shown rather than told, and all accompanied by by lavish descriptions. The story wouldn’t be complete without the questions it raises, however, and I love that it makes us wonder what can make us beastly, and what Beasts exist in each of us (Pavel’s external appearance, of course, but also the Queen’s resentment, Catherine’s impulse to act, etc). One of the beastlier characters in the whole of the story is, of course, the King, as his neglect and cruelty of his wife serves as catalyst and framing of the entire story, and how individual actions often do affect entire stories and populations. The glimmer of hope comes with Pavel and Catherine and their growing family, and what each of them will do to protect each other against a beastly world. Just magic!!!
Literary fairytalism!! THANK YOU! Maybe my favorite way someone has ever described my work. So sweet Eugenia <3 So, so glad you enjoyed the piece.
Fantastic story! And I’m loving the interviews as well.
Thank you Melissa!!! That means so much. So glad you liked it!
This was a fun story, actually it put me in a good mood :) I like that Catherine rebelled so fiercely, in comparison to Queen Catherine. Even though the Queen's scheming was complex and roundabout (going through the trouble of creating the family of the Beast), it ultimately failed to better her situation, whereas Catherine acted simply, almost instinctively, and quelled the evil. As some others have commented, the story brings up lots to think about and was satisfying on many levels.
Wow thank you so much!! I love that it put you in a good mood. I was very excited to be able to give peasant Catherine a moment of rebellion!!
I really loved this story.
What pierced me most was the way you portrayed commodification. The Beast isn’t simply feared — he’s consumed. Displayed. Monetized. Touched for spectacle. And eventually even the baby becomes negotiable. No one in the palace truly wants to know him. They want to see him, possess him, profit from him.
That distinction stayed with me.
A commodity is consumed. An individual is known.
The tenderness between Pavel and Catherine felt like the only place in the story where humanity wasn’t transactional. In the cage — which is still a cage even with a window — they tell stories. They ask names. They choose one another. That contrast felt intentional and powerful.
And Catherine’s final act didn’t read to me as savagery. It read as refusal. Refusal to let her child become the next exhibit.
This one lingered with me. Thank you for writing it.
Oh my gosh Kevin thank you so so much!! This comment—and your careful read of my work—means so much <3
What a great story, all these different kinds of beastliness. I found it profoundly sad, the way women are just property to be given away or abandoned until they turn on each other. 🤓
And Pavel too! I’m so glad you liked the story. I really did want to explore the cycle of victimization, abuse, control and just generally “beastly” behavior, so I’m glad that came through for you. Thank you for reading!
It definitely did come through. I felt sorry for them all (apart from the King).
What a rapturous read. I'm a sucker for bold, distinct story structure, so the way you divvied out POVs and explored duality gripped me immediately.
Also, I too am a Sunday night schedule scribbler. I find that practice of roadmapping so satisfying and motivating.
Thank you so much!! And thanks for the shout out on Instagram too! And omg YES to the Sunday night scheduling. I couldn’t survive the week without it!
what a beautifully written story. i stared at my screen for a few minutes after completing it.
felt very inspiring, the writing is just so clean, makes me want to write more.
Oh my gosh thank you so much!! That makes my day!
Fabulous as always!!
THANK YOU! Means so much coming from you!!
Great story!
Thank you Portia!! So glad you liked it - thank you for reading!
You're really talented, Caroline, keep on writing!
This story gave me goosebumps. What a thrilling ride! My favorite lines: “Her pleasure, anyways, was in what the pain promised. She would never be king, but she could create her own kingdom from what lay between her legs.”
Incredible story. I was just at a bunch of panels on fairytales and speculative fiction at AWP, too. How we deal with the horrors of reality through the speculative
I was probably at the same ones!!! So glad you enjoyed it :)
This was such a beautifully written story. I was holding my breath the entire time and the ending really tugged at my heartstrings <3
Aww thank you Kristen!! So glad you liked the ending - I played with it for a while trying to figure out how to best wrap things up, so I’m glad this one worked for you!
This was gorgeous and timeless. Kudos to Caroline and the Strange Pilgrims team!
Thank you so much!!! So glad you liked it :)
After reading the ending, I felt like it couldn't have ended any other way. Brilliant!
Ah that is the BEST compliment wow! Thank you!
Incredible! ♥️🌟 I loved that I could listen to the entire story in Caroline’s voice as I read.
Aw so glad you liked the recording!! I love when there’s an audio option too :) Thanks for listening!