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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
The description was so heavy, it could be a good chunk shorter, but if you can wade through that, the fairy tale is beautiful.
Spindle’s End is a retelling of the classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. While I’m glad that I gave this a shot and finished reading, it wasn’t one of my favorites. The story and characters weren’t too bad and I am happy to see some strong female characters, but the endless narration and lack of dialog detracted from the overall story. I also felt that the magical world of the Gig to be so artificially constructed that I was having to constantly be reminded how the magic worked. The magical world becomes sloppy and overpowering. Compared to the magical world of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, which seemed to enrich the story in a effortless way, the magic in Spindle’s End was lacking. I have heard though from a few people who loved this book, so maybe it does just come down to what you like to read.
There were parts about this book I liked. The way magic is portrayed is interesting and unique; and the remix of the fairy tale was good. But oh my goodness, the words!! There are so many of them!! Parts just go on and on and on . . . I found myself skipping over pages because it just got so tedious. Some people might like the style, and McKinley is a great storyteller, so I wouldn't say NOT to give the book a try. (I've read another book by her that I liked, and I plan on reading more by her.) You get an idea of the way the prose just kind of goes of on superfluous and elaborate tangents right away so if you're not into it within the first 20-30 pages you can put it down and walk away.
No one says it better than my Fantasy Lit professor:
"I think McKinley likes the sound of her voice a little too much."
Spindle's End retells the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. Although I like McKinley's changes and additions (some are quite creative), the book was sooo long. Instead of reading Sleeping Beauty, I became a sleeping beauty.
I honestly do think the slow pacing takes away from the novel. I felt like I was forcing my way through an endless pile of bricks. It hurt. I'm tired.
That being said, I appreciated the commentary on traditional fairytales and readers expectations of them. McKinley truly brought fairy to reality by creating characters who do not fit tropes and consciously dread their roles in the tale (for all fairytales are dreadful).
In all, if you want to read Spindle's End, skim it. I do not recommend it to anyone unless you're looking to cure insomnia.
"I think McKinley likes the sound of her voice a little too much."
Spindle's End retells the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. Although I like McKinley's changes and additions (some are quite creative), the book was sooo long. Instead of reading Sleeping Beauty, I became a sleeping beauty.
I honestly do think the slow pacing takes away from the novel. I felt like I was forcing my way through an endless pile of bricks. It hurt. I'm tired.
That being said, I appreciated the commentary on traditional fairytales and readers expectations of them. McKinley truly brought fairy to reality by creating characters who do not fit tropes and consciously dread their roles in the tale (for all fairytales are dreadful).
In all, if you want to read Spindle's End, skim it. I do not recommend it to anyone unless you're looking to cure insomnia.
Considering how much I loved Beauty, I was disappointed with this book. Rosie, Katriona, Aunt, Narl, Peony are all good characters, but I just couldn't get into the story. The pacing was slow, covering 21 years of Rosie's life, most of which nothing happens. Well, what happens is she grows up not knowing she is the princess and makes friends with a lot of people and animals who will be important in the climax. Even so, large chunks of the book could be cut out without the reader missing anything.
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
A beautiful retelling of sleeping beauty creating a whole new life for the classic tale.
Robin McKinley's retelling of a classic fairy tale -Sleeping Beauty || Briar Rose-, brings in a fresh and charming perspective to a beloved story.