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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This is an interesting little book with five fairy stories. Most of them are in a very traditional style, but the title story, which is by far the longest (I would call it a novella myself) is a modernized version of a story of a genie in a bottle, and Byatt pulls off the blend of modern and ancient admirably.
I didn't particularly like the first two stories, but the third and fourth were good, and I really enjoyed the last, which was more like the A.S. Byatt writing that makes her one of my favorite authors.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I would definitely read it again. I can see why others have said the collection has a disjointed feel. The titular novella has a much different feeling than the 4 shorter tales. It feels like the author gave the reader a space to explore the complexity of growing older, being older, missing one's self, being content and yet unsatisfied and other we often have no names or words for. It's a story to not just read but to slow down and sink into, to breathe, to feel. It's a lovely collection.
not the most cohesive of short story collections, but it was ok.
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Each story in the book needs a separate review because I feel so different about each. But all in all, I'll say that this book holds you and lets go, and holds you and lets go.
4 stars for the short stories. DNF The Djinn in the Nightingales Eye. Her writing style seemed to change significantly & i was not feeling it.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got this book and Possession out from the library at the same time. Possession, it turned out, was a huge wash for me.
This book, on the other hand. This book is great.
The highpoint of the book is the title story, which starts out a tad slow but develops beautifully. There are certainly deeper themes, but they're not overwrought; it's about someone's story, their journey, not about the themes itself. The language is elegant and rich, the story here is highly compelling, and I was sad when I finished.
This book, on the other hand. This book is great.
The highpoint of the book is the title story, which starts out a tad slow but develops beautifully. There are certainly deeper themes, but they're not overwrought; it's about someone's story, their journey, not about the themes itself. The language is elegant and rich, the story here is highly compelling, and I was sad when I finished.
i did not like this book and I had to read it for class. my main problem was with the titular novella
I fell in love with the work of A. S. Byatt after reading her story "The Story of the Eldest Princess". I love fairy tales, but I also am the eldest child in my family and always felt a little slighted because in most fairy tales the older children fail. Even after I learned why that was, it still got tiresome. It was refreshing to read a story that approached fairy tales from the viewpoint of an eldest child who knows she is caught in the tale and what that means. It's a wonderful story for any eldest children to read, and, quite frankly, worth the price of the book.
The other stories are good. "The Glass Coffin" appears in Byatt's Possession, and the title story, while slow, is one of those stories that rewards dedicated readers. If you want to read Byatt, but prefer short stories to novels, this collection is worth reading.
The other stories are good. "The Glass Coffin" appears in Byatt's Possession, and the title story, while slow, is one of those stories that rewards dedicated readers. If you want to read Byatt, but prefer short stories to novels, this collection is worth reading.