Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom by Sylvia Plath

Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom (Faber Stories)

by Sylvia Plath

Faber Stories, a landmark series of individual volumes, presents masters of the short story form at work in a range of genres and styles.

Lips the colour of blood, the sun an unprecedented orange, train wheels that sound like 'guilt, and guilt, and guilt': these are just some of the things Mary Ventura begins to notice on her journey to the ninth kingdom.

'But what is the ninth kingdom?' she asks a kind-seeming lady in her carriage. 'It is the kingdom of the frozen will,' comes the reply. 'There is no going back.'

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Reviewed by brdsk on

3.5 of 5 stars

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Not all trains are alike.

A beautiful and spooky story. In a tremendously short space it builds a magical world and engaging characters. The prose is delicious and the discoveries along the way are sweet and chilling.

Do not hesitate. Read it.

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  • Started reading
  • 1 January, 2022: Finished reading
  • 1 January, 2022: Reviewed