Daring to Defy Convention: The Taboo of Kissing the Witch

"Kissing the Witch" is a collection of fairy tale-inspired short stories written by Emma Donoghue. The book, published in 1997, consists of thirteen interconnected tales that reimagine and subvert traditional fairy tale narratives. In each story, Donoghue explores themes of power, agency, and the value of self-discovery. The stories often center around young women who find themselves trapped in oppressive situations, much like the traditional princesses in fairy tales. However, Donoghue's heroines are not passive damsels in distress; instead, they actively challenge societal norms and expectations. Throughout the collection, Donoghue employs a unique storytelling structure.

Ace of Cups
Two of Cups
Three of Cups
Four of Cups
Five of Cups
Six of Cups
Seven of Cups
Eight of Cups
Nine of Cups
Ten of Cups
Page of Cups
Knight of Cups
Queen of Cups
King of Cups

Ace of Swords Two of Swords Three of Swords Four of Swords Five of Swords Six of Swords Seven of Swords Eight of Swords Nine of Swords Ten of Swords Page of Swords Knight of Swords Queen of Swords King of Swords. Ace of Cups Two of Cups Three of Cups Four of Cups Five of Cups Six of Cups Seven of Cups Eight of Cups Nine of Cups Ten of Cups Page of Cups Knight of Cups Queen of Cups King of Cups.

Throughout the collection, Donoghue employs a unique storytelling structure. Each story begins where the previous one left off, creating a continuous narrative thread. This technique allows the reader to witness the interconnectedness of the characters' struggles and triumphs, as well as the ways in which their choices and actions impact one another.

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Modern Witch deck © Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Donoghue's language is lyrical and poetic, underscoring the magical and enchanting qualities of the stories. She also makes use of recurring motifs and symbols, such as apples and mirrors, which further enhance the fairy tale atmosphere. One of the notable aspects of "Kissing the Witch" is its exploration of identity and desire. Many of the characters grapple with their own sense of self and discover their true desires and passions in the process. Donoghue challenges traditional notions of love, romance, and gender roles, creating complex and multi-dimensional characters. Overall, "Kissing the Witch" is a thought-provoking and feminist reimagining of classic fairy tales. Through her storytelling, Donoghue encourages readers to question societal norms and expectations, and to seek their own agency and empowerment. The collection serves as a reminder that even in stories that seem set in stone, there is always room for new narratives and alternative endings..

Reviews for "Surrendering to Magic: The Mystical Sensation of Kissing a Witch"

1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆

I was really disappointed with "Kissing the Witch". The book promised a feminist retelling of classic fairytales, but the stories felt flat and lacking in substance. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear. I also found the writing style to be overly poetic and pretentious, making it difficult to connect with the stories. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would not recommend it.

2. John - ★★☆☆☆

I picked up "Kissing the Witch" expecting an intriguing twist on traditional fairytales, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The stories felt disjointed and lacked a coherent structure. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with some stories dragging on while others felt rushed. While I appreciate the attempt to incorporate feminist themes, they were not conveyed effectively. The author's writing style was also a bit convoluted and made it hard for me to fully engage with the stories. Overall, this book was a miss for me.

3. Emma - ★★☆☆☆

"Kissing the Witch" had an interesting concept, but I found the execution to be lacking. The feminist retellings seemed forced and didn't add anything substantial to the original tales. The language used was overly flowery and made the stories feel tedious to read. I also struggled to connect with the characters, as they often felt distant and detached. While I appreciate the effort to create a new narrative, this book didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

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