A Journey Through Time, Magic, and Human Nature
You know that feeling when you stumble upon an old chest in your grandma’s attic, filled with trinkets and treasures from different eras? Each item tells a story, whispers secrets from the past, and makes you wonder about the lives it’s touched. That’s exactly how I felt diving into Naomi Novik’s “Buried Deep and Other Stories.” It’s like opening a magical box of literary wonders, where each tale is a gem polished to perfection, reflecting different facets of human nature, history, and the fantastical.
Novik, already a household name for fantasy lovers (I mean, who hasn’t gushed over the Temeraire series or stayed up way too late binge-reading Scholomance?), proves once again why she’s a master storyteller. This collection isn’t just a hodgepodge of leftover ideas or half-baked concepts. Oh no. It’s a carefully curated journey through time, space, and imagination that leaves you breathless and craving more.
A Tapestry of Tales: From Ancient Rome to Alien Worlds
Let’s break it down, shall we? The collection spans an impressive range of settings and genres:
- “Araminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake” – A delightful pirate tale with a feminist twist
- “Vici” – Mark Antony meets dragons. Need I say more?
- “Buried Deep” – A haunting retelling of the Minotaur myth
- “Spinning Silver” – The story that spawned the novel, a perfect blend of fairy tale and historical fiction
- “Commonplaces” – Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler, reimagined
- “Seven” – A mysterious island tale that’ll make you question reality
- “Blessings” – A fairy tale with a punch
- “Lord Dunsany’s Teapot” – A whimsical WWI story with a touch of magic
- “Seven Years from Home” – Sci-fi diplomacy gone wrong (or right?)
- “Dragons & Decorum” – Pride and Prejudice meets… you guessed it, dragons!
- “Castle Coeurlieu” – A medieval tale of plague, magic, and growing up
- “The Long Way Round” – A new story set in Novik’s upcoming world
Themes That Bind: Destiny, Choice, and the Human Spirit
While the settings and genres vary wildly, there’s a common thread running through these stories: the search for one’s destiny and the choices we make along the way. Whether it’s Araminta choosing a life of piracy, Elizabeth Bennet balancing duty and desire, or the unnamed protagonist in “Seven” grappling with an impossible choice on a mysterious island, Novik explores the human drive to find meaning and purpose.
What’s truly impressive is how she manages to infuse each tale with its own distinct flavor while maintaining her signature style. Her prose is like a chameleon, adapting to each setting with ease. In “Vici,” you can almost smell the dust of ancient Rome and feel the heat of dragon breath. Switch to “Commonplaces,” and suddenly you’re in Victorian London, with all its propriety and hidden passions.
Standout Stories: The Gems That Shine Brightest
While every story in this collection is a treat, a few stood out to me:
“Buried Deep”
This retelling of the Minotaur myth is hauntingly beautiful. Novik takes a familiar tale and turns it on its head, exploring themes of family, sacrifice, and the monstrous nature of humanity. The prose is lyrical, almost dreamlike, and the ending… well, let’s just say it’ll stick with you long after you’ve finished reading.
“Spinning Silver”
It’s fascinating to see the seed that grew into the novel. Even in its short form, the story of Miryem, the moneylender’s daughter, is captivating. Novik’s take on Rumpelstiltskin is clever, subversive, and empowering. It’s a perfect example of how she breathes new life into old tales.
“Seven Years from Home”
This sci-fi tale is a masterclass in world-building. In just a few pages, Novik creates an alien culture that feels fully realized and complex. The story grapples with themes of cultural imperialism and the unintended consequences of “good intentions.” It’s thought-provoking and unsettling in the best way possible.
New Territories: A Glimpse into Novik’s Future
The collection includes two new stories that give us a taste of what’s to come from Novik. “After Hours” revisits the world of Scholomance, showing us the aftermath of El’s revolution. It’s a bittersweet homecoming for fans of the series, offering closure while hinting at new adventures.
But it’s “The Long Way Round” that really piqued my interest. Set in the world of Novik’s upcoming series, it introduces us to a mysterious land filled with enigmatic structures and untold secrets. The story is tantalizing, offering just enough to make you desperate for more. It’s like getting a movie trailer for a film you know you’ll love, but having to wait months to see it. Cruel, Novik. Cruel but effective.
Novik’s Craft: A Master at Work
What sets Novik apart as an author is her ability to blend the familiar with the fantastical. She takes historical settings or well-known stories and injects them with magic, creating something entirely new yet comfortingly recognizable. Her characters are complex and relatable, even when they’re dragons or fairy tale creatures.
Her prose is a joy to read. It’s rich without being purple, descriptive without bogging down the pacing. She has a knack for finding the perfect detail to bring a scene to life, whether it’s the smell of salt air on a pirate ship or the oppressive silence of a plague-ridden medieval castle.
The Verdict: A Must-Read for Fantasy Fans (and Pretty Much Everyone Else)
“Buried Deep and Other Stories” is more than just a collection of short stories. It’s a showcase of Novik’s versatility as a writer and her boundless imagination. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to her work, there’s something here for everyone.
For Novik devotees, it’s a chance to revisit beloved worlds and characters while discovering new facets of her storytelling. For newcomers, it’s a perfect introduction to her work, offering a taste of her various styles and settings.
The only downside? You’ll finish the book wanting more. But isn’t that the mark of a truly great collection?
Similar Works and Recommendations
If you enjoy “Buried Deep and Other Stories,” you might also like:
- “The Language of Thorns” by Leigh Bardugo – Another collection of reimagined fairy tales and myths
- “Stories of Your Life and Others” by Ted Chiang – For those who enjoyed the sci-fi elements
- “The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories” by Ken Liu – A diverse collection of speculative fiction
And of course, if you haven’t already, dive into Novik’s novels:
- The Temeraire series (starting with “His Majesty’s Dragon”)
- The Scholomance trilogy (starting with “A Deadly Education”)
- “Uprooted” and “Spinning Silver” for standalone fantasy
Final Thoughts: A Treasure Trove of Tales
“Buried Deep and Other Stories” is like a literary buffet of the highest quality. You get to sample different flavors of Novik’s imagination, from the salty sea air of pirate adventures to the icy chill of Slavic-inspired fairy tales. Each story is a perfect morsel, satisfying in itself but leaving you eager for the next course.
What I love most about this collection is how it showcases Novik’s range as a writer. She’s not just a one-trick pony (or should I say, one-trick dragon?). She can write heart-pounding action, tender romance, thought-provoking sci-fi, and everything in between.
As I closed the book, I felt that bittersweet mix of satisfaction and longing that comes with finishing a great read. These stories will stay with you, like old friends you can’t wait to visit again. And isn’t that the hallmark of truly exceptional storytelling?
So, whether you’re curled up by the fire on a winter’s night or lounging on a beach in the summer sun, do yourself a favor and dive into “Buried Deep and Other Stories.” Just don’t blame me if you emerge hours later, blinking in surprise at the real world, wondering where all the dragons and fairy tale creatures have gone.
