(African Folklore Horror) In the darkness, a Sasabonsam hangs from a tree waiting for suitable victims to walk underneath. You shouldn’t go out alone. (1,794 words; Time: 05m)
Rating: ★★★★☆ Chilling but Satisfying
"Sasabonsam," by Tara Campbell [bio] (edited by Jane Crowley and Kate Dollarhyde), appeared in Strange Horizons issue 12/11/17, published on December 11, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: A Sasabonsam is a vampire-like being in West-African folklore.
This is the story of how Adofo defeated the Sasabonsam at the expense of becoming one himself.
Several things are delightful about this tale. Usually giving your name to a monster puts you at its mercy, but in this tale, part of what defeats the monster is that Adofo gives it his name.
Adofo’s love for his wife transcends his death, her death, and even the realization that she was cheating on him and that the rest of the village was laughing at him for it. It’s right and proper that a love that strong can destroy a monster.
Adofo keeps his promise to let go. When he reaches out to capture the man who slept with his wife, he no longer remembers why he knows him. And, of course, he’s the ideal first meal for the new Sasabonsam.
Con: Given the short length, it can’t have the sophisticated plot and character development that we look for in a five-star story, and we're not emotionally attached to any of the characters.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 12/11/17)
Tara Campbell Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
This is the story of how Adofo defeated the Sasabonsam at the expense of becoming one himself.
Several things are delightful about this tale. Usually giving your name to a monster puts you at its mercy, but in this tale, part of what defeats the monster is that Adofo gives it his name.
Adofo’s love for his wife transcends his death, her death, and even the realization that she was cheating on him and that the rest of the village was laughing at him for it. It’s right and proper that a love that strong can destroy a monster.
Adofo keeps his promise to let go. When he reaches out to capture the man who slept with his wife, he no longer remembers why he knows him. And, of course, he’s the ideal first meal for the new Sasabonsam.
Con: Given the short length, it can’t have the sophisticated plot and character development that we look for in a five-star story, and we're not emotionally attached to any of the characters.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 12/11/17)
Tara Campbell Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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