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.”
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!!!
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. 🤓
This was so fun!!!! I love that you read it to me so I don’t have to hold my phone and I can see the images unfolding in my mind from ur words :) so cool. thanks for a fun 20 minutes
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🌻
Fantastic story! And I’m loving the interviews as well.
Thank you Melissa!!! That means so much. So glad you liked it!
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.”
Fabulous as always!!
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!!!
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. 🤓
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.
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.
This was so fun!!!! I love that you read it to me so I don’t have to hold my phone and I can see the images unfolding in my mind from ur words :) so cool. thanks for a fun 20 minutes