[On May 10, 2021 Strange Horizons officially expressed its political support for Palestinian solidarity. The views of Tangent Online reviewers are not necessarily those of Strange Horizons. Fiction critiqued at Tangent Online is, as much as is humanly possible, without prejudice and based solely on artistic merit.]

Strange Horizons, March 2, 2026

“Bitter as the Sea” by M. E. Bronstein

Reviewed by Drew Bittner

Taking the form of a long and complicated correspondence between the married Francesca and the ardent Pyrame, this story weaves a tale of passion, escape, and possible infidelity. The two correspondents spend the waning months of 1883 into the next year exploring their feelings, cautiously venturing beyond propriety and drawing others—particularly Francesca’s mother—into their longing missives.

When potions, moonlight and other magicks are invoked, though, things take quite the turn. Francesca doubts her would-be lover’s intentions, while he apparently is steadfast and devoted, although his knowledge of Francesca’s home and intimacy with her husband is… unsettling. And where things go from there, well, the crossing of letters ultimately reveals a powerful mystery lies at the heart of this situation. Will its unraveling end Francesca’s best hope for happiness?

M. E. Bronstein delivers an intriguing tale in just over ten thousand words, creating complex characters amid a highly structured and unforgiving social environment. They craft a compelling narrative with language that slides around desire, forming the shape of yearning without expressing it directly—the kind of back and forth that could be seen in turn-of-the-century romances like Age of Innocence or Howard’s End. It is really good writing.

Now, does the writer pay off the premise? I’d say yes, especially as the story plays fair with the reader and the finale brings everything to a strong close. The burden of a short story, maybe more than novels, is to stick the ending and deliver on its premise—and this story does so very well.

Recommended.