Silver in the Wood

Silver in the Wood follows Tobias Finch, who has lived for centuries as the guardian of Greenhollow Wood in England. His quiet existence changes when Henry Silver, a young historian researching local folklore, arrives to study the area. The novella draws from British folklore and mythology surrounding the Wild Man of the woods, blending these elements with a Victorian-era setting. The story explores the relationship between the two men against a backdrop of ancient magic and dark secrets within the forest. As events unfold in Greenhollow Wood, both Tobias and Henry must confront supernatural forces and their own complex histories. The narrative moves between past and present, revealing the true nature of the wood's magic and its keeper. This compact tale examines themes of isolation, human connection, and the intersection of folklore with reality. Through its forest setting, the story considers humanity's relationship with nature and the transformative power of both love and time.

Readers describe Silver in the Wood as an atmospheric, romantic novella that reads like a folk tale. The 145-page length receives frequent mention in reviews. Readers highlighted: - The lush forest setting and nature descriptions - The slow-burn romance between the main characters - The folkloric, fairy tale tone - The British mythology elements Common criticisms: - Story feels rushed due to short length - Limited character development - Some plot points remain unexplained - Desire for more backstory and world-building Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (16,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (940+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.8/5 (2,200+ ratings) Review quotes: "Like a warm cup of tea in book form" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful prose but needed more meat to the story" - Amazon reviewer "The forest feels like its own character" - StoryGraph reviewer

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🌳 "Silver in the Wood" is Emily Tesh's debut novella, published in 2019 as part of Tor.com's novella series. 🍃 The story draws heavily from the English folklore concept of the Wild Man of the Woods, or "woodwose," a mythological figure that dates back to medieval times. 🌿 The book is part of a duology called "The Greenhollow Duology," with its companion novella "Drowned Country" completing the tale. 🌲 The author, Emily Tesh, holds degrees from both Cambridge and Oxford universities, where she studied Classics, focusing on ancient literature and mythology. 🌳 The novella won the 2020 World Fantasy Award for Best Novella, marking a significant achievement for a debut work in the fantasy genre.