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The Writer and the Witch
The title doesn't lie: This is a story about a young writer and an old witch who meet on a lonely road that winds towards the New Capital. Actually, they meet there twice. The first time, there's a curse involved. The second time--you'll have to read and find out. It all adds up to about 4,000 words--perfect as a train read or an after-dinner fable. (Didn't you hear? Doctors recommend after-dinner fables.)
23 pages, ebook
First published August 10, 2009
4 people are currently reading
2327 people want to read
About the author
Robin Sloan
33 books30.6k followersRobin Sloan is the author of the novels Sourdough, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, and Moonbound, all published in the U.S. by MCD. He grew up in Michigan and now splits his time between the San Francisco Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley of California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 12, 2012
To be clear, you can find this online for free if you'd like at the author's website (figured I'd put that in since I searched my local bookstore and then Amazon with increasing confusion). :) It's a very quick read with a very straight-forward fairy-tale format. I would describe it as warm and touching without being fluffy. There's really no reason not to read it!
January 25, 2013
Just like Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore, this too made me happy. The author has a great way of weaving simple words into a spell of zen-like appreciation of the world around him . It's a quiet piece and a clever little piece of modern-day fable spinning. Take a moment to find and read this. It's worth it.
August 27, 2014
As good as it gets; like the perfect chocolate brownie, it was over too soon.
June 1, 2022
This is a very short short story.
It is approximately as fantastic as a short story can be.
It is also available online at the author’s website, and due to the author’s cleverness is easily read on a phone/tablet, on a computer, or even printed out on dead trees!
Oh, it is about a writer and a witch, but also about how one might deal with being stuck in one place, which means it is also kinda meta.
It will hardly take any time to read, so why not do it now?
It is approximately as fantastic as a short story can be.
It is also available online at the author’s website, and due to the author’s cleverness is easily read on a phone/tablet, on a computer, or even printed out on dead trees!
Oh, it is about a writer and a witch, but also about how one might deal with being stuck in one place, which means it is also kinda meta.
It will hardly take any time to read, so why not do it now?
August 22, 2016
A perfect fable. Just enough evil. Just enough magic.
If only it were a collection of fables, instead of just one. Perhaps someday....
If only it were a collection of fables, instead of just one. Perhaps someday....
February 7, 2018
4.25/5 stars
This one’s a strange well-written little story.
(also, totally called that one part 😂😂)
This one’s a strange well-written little story.
(also, totally called that one part 😂😂)
October 13, 2019
Rating: I liked it a lot 😃
A short story, magical, simple and to the point.
A short story, magical, simple and to the point.
December 24, 2018
... quick, fascinating...
A perfect fable. Just enough evil. Just enough magic.
A perfect fable. Just enough evil. Just enough magic.
September 1, 2021
For everyone wondering how to become famous when you can't walk
June 10, 2024
What a gem.
March 18, 2023
Satisfying short story. A writer and a witch meet on the road…an evil curse, a little magic, a lesson learned…This is a fairy tale for grown ups!
January 16, 2024
Originality inspires me! I have loved Robin Sloan since I first read him in August 2016. His prequel uplifted me in December 2019. To tide myself over as he crafts fresh novels, I sought his short stories: “The Wrong Plane” in October 2022, the originating Ajax Penumbra story in April 2023, and this in November 2023. I have “Sourdough” but will savour it after Robin’s earlier short stories at least.
Creative through and through, he actually gives writing advice; not the generic “read a lot and write on a regular schedule”. He said it is encouraging to finish a whole draft and final copy, so.... begin with short stories!
I gave four stars in 2022. “The Writer & The Witch” from August 2009, is the first time I went as low as three stars. His experimentation with unique premises was there, even though a witch casting a spell by a river carries the kernel of old fairytale styles. How it turns out does differ from any of the standards I know across numerous cultures. The thing is, I disliked it and allotted marks where they were due. I furthermore, am unconvinced that Robin tried resourcefully to concoct a solution to his protagonist’s plight; resulting in a character who himself, did bupkis about a predicament he lived a century to solve.
Without divulging details: this man annoyed a witch, who said he would die if he walked past a certain distance. I did not respect him for the cowardice of confining himself to that river. Good grief; jump a cart, ride piggyback, or step backwards! There is no way information or a desire to affect this bizarre fate, did not arise in that time. I also disbelieve that a witch could not undo a spell she had the capacity to cause.
Creative through and through, he actually gives writing advice; not the generic “read a lot and write on a regular schedule”. He said it is encouraging to finish a whole draft and final copy, so.... begin with short stories!
I gave four stars in 2022. “The Writer & The Witch” from August 2009, is the first time I went as low as three stars. His experimentation with unique premises was there, even though a witch casting a spell by a river carries the kernel of old fairytale styles. How it turns out does differ from any of the standards I know across numerous cultures. The thing is, I disliked it and allotted marks where they were due. I furthermore, am unconvinced that Robin tried resourcefully to concoct a solution to his protagonist’s plight; resulting in a character who himself, did bupkis about a predicament he lived a century to solve.
Without divulging details: this man annoyed a witch, who said he would die if he walked past a certain distance. I did not respect him for the cowardice of confining himself to that river. Good grief; jump a cart, ride piggyback, or step backwards! There is no way information or a desire to affect this bizarre fate, did not arise in that time. I also disbelieve that a witch could not undo a spell she had the capacity to cause.
February 10, 2013
After falling in love with Robin Sloan's Mr Penumbra's 24-hr Bookstore recently, I was keen to read more from this fabulous author, and settled on this short story from him entitled: The Writer & The Witch.
I read it last month, but am reviewing it now, as part of freebie February, because you can read it online here for free.
It is essentially the story of a writer cursed by a witch who then has to stay in the one spot or age a year for every step he takes. What happens next is the essence of the story and it was an entertaining read with a fairytale feel; suitable for a YA audience.
At an equivalent of 23 pages in length, The Writer & The Witch is short and enjoyable and I thoroughly recommend it as a lunch-time read.
I read it last month, but am reviewing it now, as part of freebie February, because you can read it online here for free.
It is essentially the story of a writer cursed by a witch who then has to stay in the one spot or age a year for every step he takes. What happens next is the essence of the story and it was an entertaining read with a fairytale feel; suitable for a YA audience.
At an equivalent of 23 pages in length, The Writer & The Witch is short and enjoyable and I thoroughly recommend it as a lunch-time read.
November 9, 2021
Mr. Sloan makes you think and rethink what you think every time you read one of his books. Though a short story, this is no different. Well worth the time to sit back and enjoy!
October 9, 2019
I am indebted to the review who mentioned this before me, so in case you find my review instead of theirs I pass this along: this short story is available on the author's website. The link to the website can be found on Sloan's Goodreads page.
With that out of the way, I'll tell you what I thought. It was charming and touching, but not particularly ground-breaking. It would be difficult to come up with a twist that no one saw coming in this particular format, but that's not the point of fairytales. They're cautionary tales and in that measure this story succeeds. Time is a blessing, use it fruitfully. Time is also only lent to us, so be ready to give it up, and maybe- if you're lucky- your last act will be one of love.
With that out of the way, I'll tell you what I thought. It was charming and touching, but not particularly ground-breaking. It would be difficult to come up with a twist that no one saw coming in this particular format, but that's not the point of fairytales. They're cautionary tales and in that measure this story succeeds. Time is a blessing, use it fruitfully. Time is also only lent to us, so be ready to give it up, and maybe- if you're lucky- your last act will be one of love.
December 29, 2021
"Its circumference was tiny, but he had a life, and he would not give it up."
"The witch was a woman who had lived as long as the trees, who was born of rock and ice on a far-off mountaintop, who was filled with the same power that lit the stars. She had criss-crossed the world, by carriage and by crow’s wing. She had ensorcelled rulers and cursed whole kingdoms… but something inside of her was still jagged, unsmoothed by time. She felt herself always on the edge of rage and tears. She had, quite literally, seen it all, and all of it had disappointed her."
"The witch was a woman who had lived as long as the trees, who was born of rock and ice on a far-off mountaintop, who was filled with the same power that lit the stars. She had criss-crossed the world, by carriage and by crow’s wing. She had ensorcelled rulers and cursed whole kingdoms… but something inside of her was still jagged, unsmoothed by time. She felt herself always on the edge of rage and tears. She had, quite literally, seen it all, and all of it had disappointed her."
November 16, 2019
A wonderful, fairy tale style, short story that you can read for free by simply popping in to Robin's website while you're passing.
And don't forget to give all of Robin's books a read: they're really good as well.
And don't forget to give all of Robin's books a read: they're really good as well.
December 26, 2019
Cute little story! I'm not usually a fan of the whole fable-y writing style, but this was over before it could bother me too much. It was a unique take on the whole "cursed after not helping a disguised witch" trope.
December 17, 2020
I had this on my reading list for awhile, but couldn't find it in the Kindle store. I tried Googling the author and title and found it here https://www.robinsloan.com/writer-witch/ Just in case you're looking for it too. It's a fun read and well written.
February 8, 2021
One of the best short stories I've read in awhile. I really enjoyed Mr. Penumbra's and Sourdough, so it was fun to read a work that left behind most of the realism in the magical realism and step into almost entirely fantasy. Short and lovely. I'll definitely read more of Sloan's short works.
July 7, 2017
A delightful short story.
July 17, 2017
I just love Robin Sloan's storytelling abilities. He is just able to spin characters that touch your heart and stay with you, even in 23 pages.
January 15, 2018
A sweet little fairy tale.
August 19, 2018
Captivating and imaginative. Reminds me of silver linings, that anything is possible, that there is always another side.
January 24, 2019
Short story that develops and rolls out well. An enjoyable read.
January 31, 2019
Really lovely short story. It’s a quick read, but interesting and full of heart. I found it for free on the author’s website. I’m looking forward to reading his other work.
March 2, 2019
A great little fable.
March 26, 2019
Short fairy tale with a fun twist.
July 20, 2019
Just go read it:
https://www.robinsloan.com/writer-witch/
https://www.robinsloan.com/writer-witch/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews