The Charwoman’s Shadow
What is The Charwoman’s Shadow about?
The Charwoman’s Shadow (1926) is set in the Golden Age of Spain. A young man is apprenticed to a magician and must retrieve his charwoman’s shadow, which the magician has stolen. A warm, humorous fantasy novel with darker undercurrents about the cost of magical bargains.
Main themes in The Charwoman’s Shadow
Stolen shadow
The presence of stolen shadow in The Charwoman’s Shadow connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Magician's apprentice
The Charwoman’s Shadow thoughtfully explores magician's apprentice through its central conflicts.
Golden Age Spain
The Charwoman’s Shadow thoughtfully explores golden age spain through its central conflicts.
Folk tale
In The Charwoman’s Shadow, folk tale provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Why The Charwoman’s Shadow is still relevant today
One of Dunsany's most accessible novels — a charming fantasy with the warmth of a folk tale and the depth of allegory.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Charwoman’s Shadow about?
A young man must retrieve a charwoman’s stolen shadow from a magician — a warm, folk-tale-like fantasy set in Spain.
Where can I read it?
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