The Erlking

The Erlking follows Dorothy, a mother navigating life with her young daughter H as they experience a series of pivotal moments at a winter craft fair. Set against the backdrop of a progressive school's fundraising event, the narrative moves between past and present while Dorothy grapples with parental anxieties and her daughter's increasing independence. The craft fair becomes a space where magic and reality blur, drawing inspiration from Goethe's poem "Der Erlkönig" and incorporating elements of fairy tales and Germanic folklore. Dorothy observes H's interactions with other children and adults while confronting her own memories and fears about protection, control, and letting go. Through its examination of parenthood, childhood, and the spaces in between, The Erlking explores the universal tension between keeping children safe and allowing them to grow independently. The story contemplates how parents and children interpret the same events differently, and questions the boundaries between imagination and reality in both childhood and adulthood.

Readers commend the dreamy, fairy-tale quality of these interconnected stories and Bynum's precise observations of parent-child relationships. Several reviews note the author's skill at capturing modern anxieties about parenting and technology while incorporating folklore elements. Common praise: - Natural blend of mundane and magical elements - Strong character development - Effectiveness of the linked story format - Fresh take on mother-daughter dynamics Common criticisms: - Some stories feel incomplete or abrupt - Narrative style can be disorienting - Metaphors occasionally feel heavy-handed - Uneven pacing between stories Ratings as of January 2024: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (280+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Like looking through frosted glass at familiar scenes" - Goodreads reviewer "The stories hover between reality and fantasy in a way that perfectly captures parenthood" - Amazon reviewer "Beautiful writing but sometimes too distant and cerebral" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🍂 The title "Erlking" refers to a mythological creature from Germanic folklore who lures children to their deaths - a figure famously depicted in Goethe's poem "Der Erlkönig" and Schubert's musical adaptation 🎭 Sarah Shun-lien Bynum crafted this novel partly from her experiences as both a mother and a teacher at an unconventional private school in Los Angeles 🌟 The book weaves together multiple genres including magical realism, social satire, and domestic drama while exploring themes of parenthood, privilege, and childhood innocence 📚 The novel's structure mirrors the format of a school year, with chapters divided into terms and intersessions, creating a natural rhythm that echoes academic calendars 🎨 Many scenes in the book take place at a winter faire based on Waldorf education traditions, where children perform seasonal rituals and crafts - a setting that bridges the real and magical elements of the story