Springy story review: "My Daughter's Name is Sarah"

I've been bingeing on some short stories so I'm posting a few of my Springy Short Story reviews (stories that keep springing to mind) to remember the details of the ones I know will pleasantly haunt me. I'll also post a review of a few great collections I've read recently (in the running for my personal Book of the Year).

My Daughter's Name is Sarah by Peter S. Beagle

Why it springs to mind: A touching father/daughter story.
Where read: Lila The Werewolf and Other Tales (2015)
Summary: Originally published in 1958, a father prepares to send his beloved daughter to her first school dance and fears the cruel world.
Quote:

"When I see her it is a little hard to breathe for a moment, and I will want to go down and meet her and walk the rest of the way with her."

My favorite quote of the Lila the Werewolf collection comes from the story, "Underbridge":

"Many things that shrink from sunlight gain power in fog and murk."

Personal connection: I'm working on a project of classic monster utopias and picked this collection up for the werewolf story. There were are a number of memorable stories in it, but this one, without any fantasy elements, stuck with me.
About the author: You've heard of The Last Unicorn (1968), right? Tachyon Publications and Lightspeed Magazine are publishing his current works.
Further reading: Beagle's collection Lila The Werewolf and Other Tales is outstanding in its entirely. Other notable stories are "Come Lady Death," "Lila the Werewolf," and "Julie's Unicorn".

Comments

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