A review by feliciaj
Among the Thorns by Veronica Schanoes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
In 17th-century Germany, Itte loses her father to antisemitic violence and devotes her life to seeking revenge on the town where he was made to dance in thorns and then hanged.
I loved how Veronica Schanoes executed the slow burn of her tale, making space to show how Yakov's death affects his family as they live on without him. It makes the revenge story all the more affecting, and the unexpected compassion Itte finds within herself more poignant.
The writing was brutal, not shying away from centuries of cruelty toward Jews, but also lyrical and utterly compelling. The ending was perfect - not unjust, but tempered with mercy.
One of my absolute favorites of the Tor shorts I've read so far.
I loved how Veronica Schanoes executed the slow burn of her tale, making space to show how Yakov's death affects his family as they live on without him. It makes the revenge story all the more affecting, and the unexpected compassion Itte finds within herself more poignant.
The writing was brutal, not shying away from centuries of cruelty toward Jews, but also lyrical and utterly compelling. The ending was perfect - not unjust, but tempered with mercy.
One of my absolute favorites of the Tor shorts I've read so far.