Elizabeth Hopkinson finds the 'magical in the ordinary,' weaving enchantment into tales that explore the extraordinary within everyday life. Her writing is deeply rooted in a lifelong fascination with fairy tales and history, elements that infuse her unique fantasy stories and original fairy tales with a distinct charm. She possesses a remarkable ability to uncover the extraordinary within the mundane, drawing readers into worlds where magic subtly intersects with reality. Her prose offers a distinctive voice that celebrates the wonder hidden just beneath the surface of the familiar.
Set in a meticulously organized eighteenth-century society, the city-state of Angelio is celebrated for its rich musical heritage and the protective presence of the Archangel Michael. The narrative explores the interplay between music and guardianship, highlighting how these elements shape the identity and culture of Angelio amidst its structured environment.
Exploring themes of identity and creativity, the narrative features a girl who ingeniously creates a marzipan husband, while a man grapples with his belief that he is made of glass. Additionally, a nonbinary sibling shines in ways their brothers cannot, contributing to a rich tapestry of diverse experiences. The story also delves into the origins of the asexual flag, weaving together unique characters and their journeys of self-discovery.
Once upon a time, our ancestors told tales of asexuality, symbolic stories that hint at other identities: a princess who grows a beard to escape marriage, a knight who forsakes his wife's bed to become a werewolf, a goddess with detachable parts, a planet where everyone is asexual. Drawn from many times and places, retold and reimagined for the 21st century, Elizabeth Hopkinson's second book of myths and tales brings asexuality out of the closet and gives it the history it has been denied.
A refreshing collection of enchanting fairy tales that reflects the spectrum of human sexuality.
When marriage means erasing her soul, a voyage to the Edge of the Map is Margaret's only hope.