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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Two stars mostly for the art. I’ve been wanting to read this one since high school but lost access to it for a good long while until I realized my current library system had a copy.
This tale was…okay. I wasn’t expecting it to be a masterpiece, but as another reviewer mentioned it definitely feels like the story was tacked on somewhat. Windling’s mention of “Goblinese, a language of squeaks and giggles and shrieks” feels vaguely insulting, but perhaps I’m reading too much into this?
Also, damn I’m tired of the weird faerie tale pattern of all men are represented as swarthy and their partners are pale as moonlight, sunlight, snow, something people think of as white and “pure”. While not overtly racist, it strengthens that signification in Western culture of whiteness and light being pure, while dark means intimidating or ominous. Oberon and the Raven handmaiden complicate this symbolization at least, but it’s still weird how much people cling to such representations.
Anyway, overall this is cute. But I’m glad high school me didn’t buy a copy of this. It didn’t age very gracefully.
This tale was…okay. I wasn’t expecting it to be a masterpiece, but as another reviewer mentioned it definitely feels like the story was tacked on somewhat. Windling’s mention of “Goblinese, a language of squeaks and giggles and shrieks” feels vaguely insulting, but perhaps I’m reading too much into this?
Also, damn I’m tired of the weird faerie tale pattern of all men are represented as swarthy and their partners are pale as moonlight, sunlight, snow, something people think of as white and “pure”. While not overtly racist, it strengthens that signification in Western culture of whiteness and light being pure, while dark means intimidating or ominous. Oberon and the Raven handmaiden complicate this symbolization at least, but it’s still weird how much people cling to such representations.
Anyway, overall this is cute. But I’m glad high school me didn’t buy a copy of this. It didn’t age very gracefully.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Lovely to read and to look at. Delightful and charming without becoming saccharine. Terri Windling + faery tale = great big win.
A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale is high on my list of books to buy as gifts for children.
A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale is high on my list of books to buy as gifts for children.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s become a tradition to read this book every summer and we love to read it aloud! It is a beautiful book with vibrant photo illustrations and it tells a delightful faerie tale of finding our courage and what makes us special even when we feel small and insignificant.
Beautifully written faery tale that showcases Wendy Froud's dolls to spectacular effect. The story and art work together to make this a book worth coming back to again and again. I find that I notice something new on each reread because the artwork is so intricate that there's always some new detail to discover. The charming story and beautiful art make this one of my favorites.