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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
A work by Byatt is a lesson in language and stories. She deftly weaves history and literature within her layered works. Most of the time I don't know the underlying references but when I do I nod appreciatively (and feel learned which is a clever way to get someone to like your work.) While I genuinely enjoyed some of the tales, most would not have been interesting without Byatt's splendid use of language. A much bigger problem is with the titular story in which our protagonist wishes the djinn to love her. While the djinn professes to be honored by the wish, it is troubling. Later in the story Byatt writes:
Gillian said, 'I am ready now to make my third wish.' ... 'I shall almost believe you are trying to prevent my wish.'
'No, no. I am your slave.'
It is clear that the djinn, despite the playfulness of their relationship, is in fact bound to grant Gillian's wishes, independent of his own desires. Forcing your slave to love you is disturbing. And simply wrong.
It is even stranger that earlier Gillian tells us how as a young woman she was sexually assaulted by an older, more powerful person.
Gillian said, 'I am ready now to make my third wish.' ... 'I shall almost believe you are trying to prevent my wish.'
'No, no. I am your slave.'
It is clear that the djinn, despite the playfulness of their relationship, is in fact bound to grant Gillian's wishes, independent of his own desires. Forcing your slave to love you is disturbing. And simply wrong.
It is even stranger that earlier Gillian tells us how as a young woman she was sexually assaulted by an older, more powerful person.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a delightful set of adult fairy tales! The writing is truly a wonder to behold. And the twisty tale that gives the book its title is a must read for anyone who enjoys story.
The stories in this collection are wonderful, even if this edition is unnecessarily typeset with wide margins and overgenerous linespacing to make the book look longer than it is, and reprinting the two stories from [b:Possession|41219|Possession|A.S. Byatt|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1311978255s/41219.jpg|2246190] is cheating (and they were better where they were originally, in context). "The Story of the Eldest Princess" is a perfect fairy story, especially if you have ever been a bookish eldest daughter, and the titular novella is superb.
Got bored with the last long story which didn’t seem to have any direction but felt like an excuse to weave together dozens of myths into one travelogue experience.
George Miller's "Three Thousand Years of Longing" is one of my favorite new movies of this year, so when I heard it was based on the title story of this collection, I just had to check it out. Turns out these stories are wonderful and magical in their own way (not just the titular one, either — I also love the one about dragons and the first one about the glass key). Both Byatt and Miller are so good at accessing that particular flavor of real fairytales that I just love. Now I want to check out more of her books!
The last story gets a little bogged down in the academic background of the character, but overall, a nice, often lyrical collection of original fairy tales.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Full of layers. The fairy tales read like real old school fairy tales. The main story was like severals stories in one. I feel like I'm going to have to read it again a couple of times before I can fully digest it.