"For He Can Creep" is a 2019 historical fantasy short story by Siobhan Carroll, about the historical figure Christopher Smart and his cat, Jeoffry.

For He Can Creep
First edition cover
AuthorSiobhan Carroll
Cover artistRed Nose Studio
LanguageEnglish
GenreFantasy
PublisherTor.com (US)
Publication date
July 10, 2019
Publication placeUnited States
Media type
Pages29

Synopsis

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While Christopher Smart is confined for insanity in St. Luke's Asylum, he is repeatedly visited by Satan, who wants him to write a poem that will end the world — and only his cat Jeoffry (with the help of several other cats) can stop him.

Reception

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For He Can Creep won the 2020 Eugie Award[1] and was a finalist for the 2019 Nebula Award for Best Novelette,[2] the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Novelette.[3] and the 2020 World Fantasy Award[4] for Best Short Fiction.

Lela E. Buis considered it "highly entertaining" and "way too short".[5] In Locus, Karen Burnham praised the portrayal of Jeoffrey as "both charming and intense", emphasizing the "ultimate cat attitude poured into every line".[6]

References

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  1. ^ Eugie Award, at EugieFoster.com; retrieved Oct 11, 2020
  2. ^ For He Can Creep, at Science Fiction Writers of America; retrieved June 29, 2020
  3. ^ 2020 Hugo Awards, at TheHugoAwards.org; retrieved June 29, 2020
  4. ^ "2020 World Fantasy Award Finalists". Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  5. ^ Review of “For He Can Creep” by Siobhan Carroll, by Lela E. Buis; published March 18, 2020; retrieved June 29, 2020
  6. ^ Karen Burnham Reviews Short Fiction: Tor.com, BCS, Strange Horizons, Lightspeed, Bards and Sages, and Daily SF by Karen Burnham, in Locus; published November 20, 2019; retrieved June 29, 2020
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