Reviews

Melisande by E. Nesbit

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allicatca's review against another edition

4.0

This is a picture book that is long with many words, more like a chapter book. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is interesting and clever. I liked discussing with my children how an impulsive mistake (as the daughter, Melisande, listens to her mother and wishes her hair to grow longer and thicker EVERY NIGHT) can have bad consequences. The way the problem is solved in the book is interesting. Yay for originality.

yuukat's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

alysian_fields's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

mat_tobin's review against another edition

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4.0

Far ahead of its time in challenging entrenched traditional tales tropes, Nesbit takes a carnivalesque approach to the fairy tale. When the king and queen know the rules of christenings and bad fairies not invited, they choose to invite no fairies at all and save the hassle. Still, one particular fairy takes umbridge at this and ensures that the princess' hair will continually grow at an alarming rate for the rest of her life. Enter a prince to help save her but with wit and guile and...with her blessing and consent. He's not interested in getting permission from the king but from her alone.

Text=heavy, this is more illustrated book than picturebook but Lynch's work feels like it does more than merely embellish. It invites the reader in and provides a sumptuous insight into Nesbit's world. Delicious illustrations abound - a right, royal treat and a tale that still stands well even after 100 years.

mithren's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

References to Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Alice in Wonderland. A very charming little tale.

Has faires, curses, a Prince Charming and a very clever king (which I was delighted to see!), with a well meaning, but a bit over eager, queen.

I liked the characters and their characterization, I liked the worldbuilding, I liked the story... I liked everything about this tale, really.

anawilson05's review against another edition

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5.0

Listened to with Samuel West as narrator which added such gravitas and character to this story. A wonderful story, and the narration added so many layers.