This little book encompasses adventure, intrigue, love, murder, beauty, and even more. Rabbit knows this story because she served In-yo for many years, learned all of her secrets, and even allowed herself to be part of one of her biggest. Our first layer is Chih, a nonbinary cleric the second is Rabbit, a very old woman telling a story to Chih while they share a house by a lake the third and most crucial is In-yo, an empress who rebels and rearranges the empire that would send her into exile and assassination. In the way of Victorian novels – and possibly of Asian literature beyond my ken – Nghi Vo’s debut uses layers of narration to tell the tale indirectly. But how will I fill up the rest of this review? It’s a beautiful novella: haunting, meaningful, exquisite, like an antique, inlaid jewelry box with dangerously sharp edges. I shrug, speechless, happy about the whole chain of events that led us here but upset about whatever has to happen next. Yet here we are, The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo on one side of the table, me on the other.
There were a few words that had me reaching for my dictionary.Īlready, I am looking forward to reading this book again.ĭo you understand? “I am not sure I do, grandmother, but I listen, and Almost Brilliant will remember.”Īccuracy above all things. You will never remember the great if you do not remember the small.The Empress of Salt and Fortune, Nghi Vo ( Tor.com Publishing 978-1-25075-029-7, $3.99, 124pp, eb) March 2020.Īt this point it should no longer surprise me when Tor.com puts out a gorgeous little novella that robs me of anything meaningful to say, because I want only to luxuriate in its pleasures rather than offering a critical assessment. This short story had a unique feel, and the author, Vo, has a very diverse and varied vocabulary. It had depth and rich symbolism with strong, smart female characters. The Empress of Salt and Fortune delivered beautiful quotes and is a perfect blend of fantasy and women’s literature. This novella has some fantasy, some strong prose, and it feels non-American, not conforming to the standard American storylines. Rabbit then proceeds to share her stories of Empress In-yo. They meet with Empress In-yo’s former serving girl named Rabbit. Two birds, Cleric Chih and Almost Brilliant, are traveling in the Lake Scarlet area when information regarding the reign of Empress In-yo becomes declassified.
This book didn’t disappoint! I had no idea that this author wrote The Chosen and The Beautiful(which I also read and loved). When I asked for short book recommendations, my underground book club suggested The Empress of Salt and Fortune. “Sometimes the things we see do not make sense until many years have gone by. The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
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