10/5⭐
The Small Bronze Carriage on the Mantelpiece has totally floored me. This was so good.
An absolute gem of a novelette. Probably one of the best pieces of short fiction I have ever read, definitely the best short story/novelette/novella I have read this year (and I read a couple of really good ones already).
Atmospheric, gothic, dark-ish yet not really spooky (in my opinion), kind of comforting, in a way, and very well written.
I am a huge fan of allegoric stories - as long as they are well done, which isn't always the case, sadly. The storytelling and atmosphere of this one was just... *chefkiss* Amazing! Wonderful!
I have only two regrets:
1) Why did I not read that sooner?
2) Why can't I read it again for the first time?
You absolutely should read this! I even dare say you must read this - to do yourself a favour.