Botanica Veneris: Thirteen Papercuts by Ida Countess Rathangan

Botanica Veneris: Thirteen Papercuts by Ida Countess Rathangan, by Ian McDonald
Published in Old Venus [Bantam Books, March 2015]
Description, by Sam Tomaino in SFRevu: "Our initial narrator here is Maureen N. Gellard, the grand-niece of Ida Granville-Hyde aka Ida Countess Rathangan, whose papercut art is valued beyond all measure. Her prints are anthologized in many books, including fifteen editions of the Botanica Veneris, based on the fauna of Venus. Now, her last journal and papercuts, detailing her only trip to Venus (where she disappeared), have come into the possession of her grand-niece, who presents them without further comment. Ida's unique voice adds immeasurably to her journey across Venus, looking for her brother, Arthur, who had absconded with the family jewel (and her dowry) the Blue Empress, on the eve of her marriage to the wastrel Baron of Rathangan. On her journey, she learns of her brother's sins and crimes, (described as a gambler, a thief, a murderer, and a seducer, by someone who likes him). She eventually finds him and his story (and hers) comes to a surprising end."
Category:Best Novelette