The Road of Needles

"The Road of Needles" is a 2013 science fiction short story, by Caitlín R. Kiernan. It was first published in the anthology Beyond the Woods: Fairy Tales Retold.

Synopsis

As Nix Severn tries to repair her spaceship's damaged AI and out-of-control terraforming engines, she finds herself reliving the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

Reception

"The Road of Needles" won the 2014 Locus Award for Best Short Story, and was a finalist for the 2016 Seiun Award for Best Translated Short Story.
Lois Tilton considered it to be "cluttered", but emphasized that "the elements do work together", noting that "the journey means more than what happens once arrives". Publishers Weekly called it "creepy".