For He Can Creep

"For He Can Creep" is a 2019 historical fantasy short story by Siobhan Carroll, about the historical figure Christopher Smart and his cat, Jeoffry. The story was adapted into the final episode of the fourth volume of the Netflix anthology series Love, Death & Robots, also titled For He Can Creep.

For He Can Creep

First edition cover
Author	Siobhan Carroll
Cover artist	Red Nose Studio
Language	English
Genre	Fantasy
Publisher	Tor.com (US)
Publication date	July 10, 2019
Publication place	United States
Media type	E-book
Pages	29

Synopsis

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

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]

Adaptation

The story was adapted into an animated episode of Love, Death & Robots Season 4, directed by Emily Dean.