Kissing the Witch

Kissing the Witch is a collection of thirteen interconnected short stories that reimagine classic European fairy tales. Each tale flows into the next through a chain of narration, with the previous story's narrator becoming the listener of the following tale. The stories transform familiar fairy tales like Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel into new narratives with unnamed characters identified only through descriptive epithets. Characters move through landscapes of magic and transformation while confronting real-world challenges and choices. Originally published in 1997, this was Emma Donoghue's first short story collection and her third work of fiction. The book has been translated into multiple languages including Dutch, Catalan, and Italian. The collection explores themes of female agency, queer identity, and the power dynamics of traditional fairy tales, offering alternative perspectives on these canonical stories. Through its interconnected structure and retellings, the book examines how stories shape our understanding of ourselves and others.

Readers describe this collection as feminist retellings of fairy tales that center female relationships and challenge traditional narratives. Many note how the stories connect to each other in a chain-like structure. Readers appreciate: - Fresh perspectives on familiar tales - LGBTQ+ themes and representation - Poetic, lyrical writing style - Interconnected narrative structure Common criticisms: - Some stories feel underdeveloped - Writing style can be abstract/unclear - Endings don't always satisfy - Too short overall Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (120+ ratings) From reader reviews: "The interconnected nature of the stories adds layers of meaning" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful writing but sometimes too vague" - Amazon reviewer "Wished the stories were longer and more detailed" - LibraryThing reviewer "Powerful reimagining of classic tales through a queer lens" - Goodreads reviewer

Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber A collection of reimagined fairy tales that centers female characters and explores power dynamics through a gothic lens, turning familiar stories into transformative narratives.

In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente Tales within tales unfold through nested narratives, weaving together folklore and myth while exploring identity through interconnected stories.

Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi A Snow White retelling set in 1950s Massachusetts that examines race, identity, and mother-daughter relationships through a fairy tale framework.

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente A retelling of Russian folklore that transforms the tale of Koschei the Deathless into a narrative about power and transformation in Soviet Russia.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton A tale set in 17th century Amsterdam that incorporates elements of magic and transformation while exploring women's roles and agency in historical contexts.

🌟 The title "Kissing the Witch" comes from a reimagining of "The Little Mermaid," where the sea witch is portrayed as a complex mentor figure rather than a villain. 🌟 Each story in the collection begins with the phrase "In the time when..." instead of the traditional "Once upon a time," creating a distinctive narrative voice that sets it apart from conventional fairy tales. 🌟 Author Emma Donoghue wrote this collection in 1997, years before achieving mainstream success with her bestselling novel "Room," which was later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film. 🌟 The book's structure is inspired by the ancient Middle Eastern storytelling technique known as "frame narrative," similar to what's used in "One Thousand and One Nights." 🌟 Several of these stories have been adapted for the stage, including a successful theatrical production at Theater Mu in St. Paul, Minnesota, that combined storytelling with physical theater and dance.