I would love to read more about how Remembrance transforms her joy of craftsmanship into her desire to rally and unify female artisans and millworkers. The story of female artists participating in the Arts and Crafts Movement of that time period is fascinating, and makes for fantastic challenges and opportunities for this MC. I appreciate the inclusion of the historical, cultural, and sociopolitical details concerning women’s labor developments in the early nineteenth century as women united in creativity and reform. The two bond over their mutual admiration for each other’s skilled handcrafts and their sweet, slow, affectionate courtship is a warm and loving sight to behold.

'The Craft of Love' takes place in 19th century New York City and features two talented artisans: Benjamin Lewis is a gentle, soft, tender transman silversmith and Remembrance Quincy is an indomitable, determined, stalwart, and strong-minded bisexual female quiltmaker. Ottoman writes such lovely stories! Just as is done with the fantasy series “Mechanical Universe,” Ottoman features MCs who are artistic, creative, and passionate about their craft. Like.women can possess strong opinions and it doesn't have to make them socially inept or lead them on a direct road to martyrdom, it might just mean quietly changing the world around them!Į.E. I didn't realise how prevalent that is until I read this and realised I was waiting for the heroine to quixotically torpedo her career. And it's hopeful, too, about people's ability to accept, learn, and grow.Ĭan I also add how nice it is to see a woman in histrom with strong political opinions who isn't also portrayed as being bull-headed/extremist and putting her foot in it. Great historical detail, too, and the crafts have some serious metaphorical resonance for the story. It's got a lot to say in its few pages about the struggles of women in work, the lack of recognition, the complexity of a trans child growing up with a parent whose love doesn't stretch to understanding. A very sweet novella about a trans man working as a silversmith in 19th century New York, and his gentle courtship of an independent and determined quilt maker.

The Craft of Love by E.E. Ottoman