Title: The Walker Behind
Author: Marion Zimmer Bradley
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Magic
Dates read: 20th April 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1987
5th sentence, 74th page: “At once sir,” said the hag, suddenly turning deferential.
She can hear the footsteps following her, so she goes to an inn with a bad reputation. It turns out that there is more to the Walker Behind than meets the eye.
I loved the dark, mysterious atmosphere of this short story. I love that there was so much background in this tale that hinted at a whole world behind the pages. Especially in the lead’s life and the ways in which she chose to live it. There was just an intensity and greatness to this story that I found impossible to look away from.
The poetic justice that is reaped out in this story is a little bit graphic, but certainly what I would do if I had any form of power (I don’t, I can dream). The idea that people can’t just get away with their acts of atrocity, and that sometimes those who are not quite evil, but definitely not good come out all the better… it’s a great series of fairly typical tropes that always leave me smiling.
Starting out as a somewhat scary tale and ending as one that had me smiling made this an incredibly little journey to take. Especially when everyone is in quarantine… it was just nice to have the company of a few interesting characters for a few moments.
Earth and Skye 
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