I really enjoyed this collection of short stories and poems, most of which are based in science fiction and fantasy and heavily influenced by themes of oppression and freedom. Some of them hit more than others, as was expected, with my clear favorites being the ones that had the most fairy tale-like feel. I loved that sort of “tip of my tongue” feeling for one of them because El-Mohtar was drawing from existing tales, and I appreciated the way she could make them feel like old-school fairy tales. My favorite in particular was the titular “Seasons of Glass and Iron” about two women who are essentially being punished by men (though indirectly for one of them), with a bit of a Greek myth feel to it.
There is a range of styles in the book, but even for the pieces that didn’t land quite as well with me, like the more abstract ones, I could recognize and admire El-Mohtar’s creativity and beautiful prose. In one story, a girl reads a book that includes the lines “. . . a map drawn on a virgin’s skin creates a land on the other side of the moon. Whole civilizations rise, whole empires are built in the time it takes for bath water and scented soap to tear its minarets down, smash its aqueducts, strike its flying machines from the star-strewn sky.” That has such lyrical imagery.
Most of the other stories and poems resonated with me in some way, often bringing up emotions, sometimes even tearfulness. I’m always so impressed when an author can do that, and I continue to be dazzled by El-Mohtar’s mastery of writing.
