Clocking in at a slim 114 pages, this novella is a morsel, but a wonderfully chewy one. Mr. Seesequasis stays true to rules of true storytelling by weaving creatures of folk tale and legend with creatures we think of as historical who are just as much folk tale.

The past, the present, and the future elide across each other here, sweeping up, around, and over each other as the story continues. The earth is born, tobacco is brought to the New World, an Indian princess travels the seas to London where she captivates the King's playwright who follows her to the New World to win her love. Each bit of story is framed in different ways, and each framing illuminates all the different parts that make up a story, a folk tale, a legend, a myth.

Lovely writing and plenty to think about. ( )