From Fairy Tales to Reality: The Journey of Kissing the Witch

"Kissing the Witch" is a collection of thirteen interconnected fairy tale retellings written by Emma Donoghue. Published in 1997, the book presents a fresh and feminist perspective on familiar tales. Each story follows a young woman grappling with complex emotions and navigating societal expectations. The tales beautifully blend elements of fantasy, horror, and romance, offering an alternative narrative to the traditional fairy tales that often portray women as passive characters waiting for a prince to save them. In "Kissing the Witch," the women take center stage, with their desires, fears, and agency at the forefront. Donoghue weaves the tales together by linking a character from each story to the next.

593 Jan 13, 2018

The scenery of silhouette knights marching triumph over the great mountains Obinie as they brought a new of victory back home causing the citizens of kingdom getting excited. Dreaming of piloting those robots, Eru, with childhood friends, Archid Walter and Adeltrud Walter together they will aim to become Knight Runner, pilot of Silhoutte Knight.

Donoghue weaves the tales together by linking a character from each story to the next. This creates a continuous thread throughout the collection, allowing readers to witness the different events unfold from different perspectives. This narrative technique emphasizes the interconnectedness of these women's lives and experiences.

Knight's & Magic

Tsubasa Kurata is not your average citizen. Sure, he's a genius programmer and software engineer, but as far as he's concerned, his most important trait is that he's a hardcore mecha nerd. So, what happens when you take that nerd and reincarnate him into a fantastic world of swords and sorcery? Well, you'd think he'd be disappointed. but this world has magical giant robots! Obviously, Tsubasa—reborn as Ernesti Echevalier—now wants to devote his life entirely to these wondrous pieces of technology. But how exactly can young Ernie achieve his ultimate goal of getting his very own mech? He'll have to rely on his imagination, uninhibited by the common sense of this new world, as well as his extreme dedication and focus! He also might just find help in the form of a rather interesting quirk.

(Source: J-Novel Club)

Knight's & Magic placed 6th under the New Works category and 24th in the top 60 light novel in the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! 2014 rankings.

The series has been published digitally in English by J-Novel Club since October 9, 2023.

Throughout the collection, Donoghue explores themes of identity, desire, power, and agency. The stories challenge traditional gender roles and expectations, offering examples of women who demand autonomy and agency over their own lives. The characters question societal norms and defy the limitations imposed upon them, making choices that challenge their fate and destinies. Donoghue's prose is poetic and evocative, refusing to shy away from darker elements and showcasing the complexities of human emotion. She highlights the often-perceived negative aspects of femininity, such as anger, jealousy, and desire, allowing her characters to fully embrace and express these emotions without judgment. "Kissing the Witch" is an empowering and refreshing collection that deconstructs the traditional fairy tale narrative, giving voice to women who have historically been silenced or marginalized. It invites readers to reimagine these stories and recognize the power of their own voices and choices. The tales linger in the mind long after reading, encouraging readers to question societal expectations and embrace their own agency..

Reviews for "Whispers in the Dark: The Secrets Revealed by Kissing the Witch"

1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Kissing the Witch". The stories felt disconnected and confusing, with no clear thread to tie them together. I found myself struggling to stay engaged and interested in the narratives, as they lacked depth and substance. The writing style was also not to my liking, as it felt overly simplistic and lacking in nuance. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted collection of fairytales.

2. Michael - 1 star - "Kissing the Witch" was a major letdown for me. The retelling of classic fairytales seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The stories lacked originality and failed to add any new perspectives or insights. I was hoping for a fresh take on the tales I grew up with, but instead, I was left feeling bored and unimpressed. The book also felt disjointed, with no cohesive theme or narrative to tie it together. I would advise readers to look elsewhere for a more satisfying and engaging collection of fairytale retellings.

3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Kissing the Witch" to be underwhelming. The stories lacked depth and failed to capture my imagination. The language used was simple and uninspiring, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the narratives. The book also didn't provide any unique perspectives or interpretations of the fairytales it retells. While it may appeal to a younger audience or those new to fairytales, I believe there are much better options available for enthusiasts of the genre. Overall, I was disappointed by this collection and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.

Passion and Power: The Dual Nature of Kissing the Witch