Spinning Silver
by Naomi Novik · first published 2018
67% recommend33% neutral
"A fresh and imaginative retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale from the bestselling author of Uprooted, called "a very enjoyable fantasy with the air of a modern classic" by The New York Times Book Review. Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, but her father is not a very good one. Free to lend and reluctant to collect, he has left his family on the edge of poverty--until Miryem intercedes. Hardening her heart, she sets out to retrieve what is owed, and soon gains a reputation for being able to turn silver into gold. But when an ill-advised boast brings her to the atte
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2018–2023Jade City
Fonda Lee
Recommended by 5 · mentioned by 65 recommend · 6 mention5 recommend · 65 recommend
Murderbot Diaries
Martha Wells
Recommended by 42 · mentioned by 5042 recommend · 50 mention42 recommend · 5042 recommend
2010–2026The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson
Recommended by 39 · mentioned by 6539 recommend · 65 mention39 recommend · 6539 recommend
2017–2026There Is No Antimemetics Division
qntm
Recommended by 64 · mentioned by 8964 recommend · 89 mention64 recommend · 8964 recommend
2020–2026The Ministry for the Future
Kim Stanley Robinson, Simon Saito
Recommended by 69 · mentioned by 14669 recommend · 146 mention69 recommend · 14669 recommend
2013–2026The Martian
Andy Weir
Recommended by 117 · mentioned by 207117 recommend · 207 mention117 recommend · 207117 recommend
2014–2026Three-Body Problem
Cixin Liu, Ken Liu
Recommended by 233 · mentioned by 513233 recommend · 513 mention233 recommend · 513233 recommend
2016–2026Children of Time
Adrian Tchaikovsky
Recommended by 207 · mentioned by 263207 recommend · 263 mention207 recommend · 263207 recommend
…https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/madeline-miller/circe/978... - Mexican Gothic https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/577068/mexican-goth... - The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Paper-Menagerie-a... - Spinning Silver https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/554775/spinning-sil... - Exhalation: Stories https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/538034/exhalation-b... - Olondria (series) https://smallbeerpress.com/books/2013/04/30/a-stranger-in-ol...…
on “The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of the Past Decade” ↗…S. A. Corey - I enjoyed this whole series. I like that the physics of space travel is respected among the politics/mystery. Each book in the series is a bit of a different genre set in the universe. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novak - Eastern European folk tale akin to Rumplestiltskin. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green - Contemporary fiction with a scifi bent. Ultimately hopeful, it explores the consequences…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗…history of infectious disease in humans. It really changed my views on a lot of things, especially how recently many contagious diseases crossed over from animals. The best fiction book I read in 2022 was Spinning Silver (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36896898-spinning-silver). A really awesome riff on Russian fairy tales.
on “Ask HN: Best books read in 2022” ↗Oh, thanks, I didn't notice here (scanned just the titles and winners). I liked her previous two non-series books (Uprooted and Spinning Silver).
on “2023 Hugo Awards” ↗I'm reminded of Naomi Novik's novel 'Spinning Silver' where a couple sleep on the stove, which seemed strange. It makes more sense after reading this article.
on “Russian Stove” ↗…the bits that work for big gigs and specials. Creative writing isn't that different from joke writing. Write yourself a bunch of short stories, try things out, see what sticks, novelize the good ones. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik was a short story. There are some famous books out there that were originally done as serials. Do more, but find ways to shed the unsuccessful attempts, or otherwise give yourself permission…
on “Face it: you're a crazy person” ↗