Fireside Magazine Issue 52, February 2018
Spoilers Ahead!
The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington is a 2019 Hugo Awards finalist in the Best Short Story category.
“By Cash pd Negroes for 9 Teeth on Acct of Dr. Lemoire”
– Lund Washington, Mount Vernon plantation, Account Book dated 1784.
George Washington, slavery and magic collide in this alternate history. While I will never understand the mentality that makes people think slavery is ever an option I enjoyed reading about the strength and character of the nine slaves included in this story. I particularly loved anticipating the impact each particular tooth would have on George.
For the blacksmith understood what masters had chosen to forget: when you make a man or woman a slave you enslave yourself in turn.
You can read this short story online here. I’ll definitely be rereading this story.
Content warnings include suicide attempts.
Schizanthus Nerd 