Reviewed:
I came upon this short story following a recommendation from a name I trust. I was not disappointed.
The author manages to set the scene and describe the environs with a minimalist, even bare, prose that nevertheless just plain works.
The main character, Hettie, gets the bulk of the story, and narrative, with only two other characters developed - Jonah and Kettering, but many others are sketched in, briefly, yet still sufficiently complete to fill all the required space. There could be a fourth principle character, but she's not referenced in life, although her death is the string that tugs the story forward to conclusion.
I don't believe I have ever read such a complete story in so few words, that still left me satisfied. And even surprised it had ended. More surprising for was that this is in a genre I would normally avoid, and I nearly quit are the summary.... I now have a new follow in place.
Well deserved recommendation, and you won't be shocked that I am going to validate it. Go on! I hope you too will enjoy the seemingly effortless art in what may be some of the the sparsest, but surely hardest working, prose I have read in ages.
Myth
P.S. Nope, not going to do my usual spoiler alert and scene steal, this really has to be appreciated cold!