Strange Horizons, April 12, 2021

“The Giant with No Heart in Her Body” by Nike Sulway

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

“The Giant with No Heart in Her Body” by Nike Sulway begins with a brief section in which the narrator relates how her brother was killed in the same automobile accident in which she lost one of her arms. The story then changes into a fairy tale, in which a giant tries to hide her heart from crows, who keep bringing her bones from her brother’s body.

The allegory of learning to deal with the death of a loved one is clear. The author adds a great deal of vivid detail to the basic plot, and writes in a clear, elegant style. Although emotionally powerful, some readers may find that the analogy between the two parts of the story lacks subtlety.

Victoria Silverwolf read two books while having a new catalytic converter installed in her car today.