#51: "The Wondersmith" by Fitz-James O'Brien, Part 1

This week, the honor of the name demands that I begin to read Fitz's creepy Christmas chronicle of bloody Romany revolution on the sidewalks of New York -- by magic!

I'm torn about this story. On the one hand, there's no denying that it's a very clever and scary little urban fantasy. It deals with contemporary issues (nationalist revolution), and uses traditional figures of legend alongside unused ones, like organ grinders and American birds. Furthermore, it weaves in real Romany legends and beliefs very cleverly. On the other hand, it also makes use of European stereotypes, including those against the Romany. And that whole rant against "Christians" doesn't make sense, for example. Rom who live in Europe and America are usually Christians, though they also hold their own beliefs. (Against gaje (non-Romany), you maybe could see the rant. I suspect editorial interference, myself.) Still, it's a good story as long as you bear the truth in mind, and includes a very unusual romance.

So don't give this one to the kids, okay?

MANUAL DOWNLOAD HERE!

Section 1: "Golosh Street and Its People"
Section 2: "A Bottleful of Souls"
Section 3: "Solon"
45 min.