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kiwij96's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a delightful story that feels ahead of its time. Published almost 100 years ago, this story demonstrates the timelessness of the fantasy genre. Though not overtly "fantasy", there is an awareness to the characters that their neighbours (the Fairies) exist, but having essentially criminalised them and removed all Fairy-talk from their laws and vocabulary, the townsfolk try to forget their existence.
I loved the discussions on things like "neighbourliness" especially with how poignant it is even today with accepting our neighbours and being able to live in the same space. I loved that the Doctor in the story provided free healthcare to patient who couldn't afford it (this before the NHS was even a discussion in the UK), but also how there were small discussions about mental health, and "fairy fruit" being a good metaphor for drugs. I also loved how the author wrote about classism and how the Mayors and Magistrates of the town were essentially inheriting their titles instead of earning them as they used to. For a century-old story, these issues are still very prominent today.
There is a stunning amount of sarcasm and generally dry wit weaved into the story too and more than once did I find myself giggling at the observational comedy of it. The worldbuilding was gorgeous and the 1920s-Britishness of some of the insults and expressions of surprise and outrage were a glorious change of pace.
Some of the sentence structure was a little tricky to read and I think that's more than likely a result of some of the phrasing and grammar being as old as it is. However, the general storytelling was fanstastic.
I loved the discussions on things like "neighbourliness" especially with how poignant it is even today with accepting our neighbours and being able to live in the same space. I loved that the Doctor in the story provided free healthcare to patient who couldn't afford it (this before the NHS was even a discussion in the UK), but also how there were small discussions about mental health, and "fairy fruit" being a good metaphor for drugs. I also loved how the author wrote about classism and how the Mayors and Magistrates of the town were essentially inheriting their titles instead of earning them as they used to. For a century-old story, these issues are still very prominent today.
There is a stunning amount of sarcasm and generally dry wit weaved into the story too and more than once did I find myself giggling at the observational comedy of it. The worldbuilding was gorgeous and the 1920s-Britishness of some of the insults and expressions of surprise and outrage were a glorious change of pace.
Some of the sentence structure was a little tricky to read and I think that's more than likely a result of some of the phrasing and grammar being as old as it is. However, the general storytelling was fanstastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Trafficking
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Classism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Animal death
ninjamuse's review against another edition
challenging
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Classism and Suicide
Minor: Body shaming, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Murder
saltycoffee's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Addiction, and Trafficking
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Dementia
bearbookshelf's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
What spectacular prose and an engaging mystery, combined to articulate a lovely allegory for the Temoerance Movement (for contemporaries), and a broader acceptance of the 'other' and 'outsider'. Mirrlees offers a lovely read that seems to straddle the genre conventions of Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream! I only wish she had written more fantasy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Murder, and Sexism
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