Rating: 5, Award-worthy Recommended By: io9 Locus SFRevu:4
If you are desperate, visit the burned-out cottage by moonlight, find the forbidden well where the wet gentleman lurks. If you give him a penny, he might grant your wish.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
This is the story of how the Wet Gentleman won his freedom. How he found a worthy and deserving successor.
The Wet Gentleman isn't the devil; he dealt fairly with Ma and didn't cheat her boys. He gave the Miser what he deserved. Susanne got a mixed deal, and Theo probably never knew what he really gave the Wet Gentleman. It's a nice touch that everyone turned down his initial offer. No one (except Tim) had a wish aimed at benefiting him/herself directly.
Tim is a rather peculiar boy who doesn't much like the company of people. It took no magic to get him to come and ask for it. He'll make a good wet gentleman.
Moral: You will pay for what you get, one way or another, and a penny alone doesn't buy much. If it seems too good to be true, walk away.
The Wet Gentleman isn't the devil; he dealt fairly with Ma and didn't cheat her boys. He gave the Miser what he deserved. Susanne got a mixed deal, and Theo probably never knew what he really gave the Wet Gentleman. It's a nice touch that everyone turned down his initial offer. No one (except Tim) had a wish aimed at benefiting him/herself directly.
Tim is a rather peculiar boy who doesn't much like the company of people. It took no magic to get him to come and ask for it. He'll make a good wet gentleman.
Moral: You will pay for what you get, one way or another, and a penny alone doesn't buy much. If it seems too good to be true, walk away.
Thanks for this recommendation! I found the story through this review, and loved the hell out of it. I've been sharing it left and right since then; it's dark, rich, fun, and a great story to share with friends.
ReplyDeleteA tricky story that made me read it twice to understand why it was recommended by you, io9, Locus, and SFRevu. It's probably because fantasy isn't my favorite genre and the repetitive fairy tale style made me skim it more than I should have. However, your analysis helped me see the clever ending on my second pass and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteGreat fantasy story that I liked too. I don’t think it so much break the mold but it’s told well and foreshadow the expected ending right from the start. Personally I give it a 4 stars.
ReplyDeleteAlso I didn’t get the moral that you mentioned at the end (a penny doesn’t worth much, walk way from things that seems to be too good to be true). But yes now that I read it, I agree with it 100% 👍🏼