L'Esprit de L'Escalier

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"L'Esprit de L'Escalier" is a 2021 fantasy short story by Catherynne M. Valente, retelling the story of Orpheus and Eurydice in a modern setting. It was first published on Tor.com.

Contents

Synopsis

Months ago, Orpheus successfully rescued Eurydice from the underworld, but despite his efforts, she is still depressed — and a zombie — and their relationship is failing.

Reception

"L'Esprit de L'Escalier" was a finalist for the 2022 Hugo Award for Best Novelette [1] and the 2022 Locus Award for Best Novelette. [2]

Publishers Weekly called it "clever" and "challenging". [3]

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References

  1. 2022 Hugo Awards, at TheHugoAwards.org; retrieved March 4, 2023
  2. Here Are the Finalists for the 2022 Locus Awards, by Vanessa Armstrong; at Tor.com; published May 11, 2022; retrieved March 4, 2023
  3. The Best of Catherynne M. Valente, Vol. One, reviewed at Publishers Weekly ; published February 7, 2023; retrieved March 4, 2023