Title: The Dybbuk in the Bottle
Author: Russell William Asplund
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fantasy, Retellings
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999
This was an interesting twist on the traditional (or in my case often read) story of outsmarting a demon. Or at least, I found that there was enough of a surprise in it that I found it intriguing and different.
I love that at the end of this story, the farmer is finally able to recognise how wonderful and rewarding farming truly is. Rather than wanting to perform miracles, he is finally able to see the miracles rhat make up a part of everyday life.
This was my first story with a hero Rabbi. I can’t say that they are a religious figure who feature much in my reading. But I most definitely enjoyed it and wouldn’t be opposed to reading more such stories.
Earth and Skye 