The Charwoman's Shadow

“The Charwoman’s Shadow” is a beautiful tale about an apprentice sorcerer who discovers that his master is unscrupulously using stolen shadows. He decides to free an elderly lady from this captivity. The book is one of the pioneering works in the fantasy genre, published before it was officially named. The story is set in Spain during the Golden Age. The main character, Ramon, seeks knowledge of turning lead into gold to provide a dowry for his sister. In exchange for his shadow, he receives a substitute that behaves unexpectedly. When his sister asks for a love elixir, Ramon decides to learn that instead of metal transmutation. His journey leads him to a mysterious old woman whose shadow was stolen. Together, they attempt to reclaim her shadow and break the curse. The book blends elements of historical fantasy with a fairy-tale world.