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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Robin McKinley has been one of my favorite authors ever since I earned a free copy of Spindle's End in a reading challenge as a child. This story collection did not disappoint! There wasn't a story in here that didn't bring tears to my eyes, and somehow, her rich language breathed new life and emotion into simple tellings of old fairy tales. If you like fairy tales, I definitely recommend!
adventurous
The Door in the Hedge is a collection of fairytale short stories very much in line with the classics. The tone of the collection reads more like early middle grade stories than young adult. Think more like a bedtime story. I think I would have enjoyed this collection as a young kid, but I did not realize going into this now that the stories would skew so young and lack the teeth I expect in retold fairytales for young adults.
I found that the storytelling also lacked quality. The characters were all very static and the endings each felt super unearned. The protagonists don't succeed because they are clever or brave or kind, but because they are in the right place at the right time. The number of incredibly convient story turns and by-the-numbers plotting just felt strange coming from such an experienced author. It was disappointing.
I found that the storytelling also lacked quality. The characters were all very static and the endings each felt super unearned. The protagonists don't succeed because they are clever or brave or kind, but because they are in the right place at the right time. The number of incredibly convient story turns and by-the-numbers plotting just felt strange coming from such an experienced author. It was disappointing.
Don't really like the writing style. And I don't think I'll be continuing it anytime soon.
Read this book again in December, 2016, finishing on Dec. 5
Robin McKinley is the queen of modern fairy tale writers, and "Door in the Hedge" is an impressive addition to her works. DITH is McKinley's second published work, after "Beauty", and contains four fairy tales -- two originals ("The Stolen Princess" and "The Hunting of the Hind"), and two traditional tales retold ("The Princess and the Frog" and "The Twelve Dancing Princesses"). As always, McKinley's use of language is flawless. Many recent retellings of fairy tales seem to bend over backwards to include modern language, as if looking for a hook for the reader. McKinley's uses her words as a paintbrush, so that the very vocabulary and sentence structure create the stories' atmosphere, as much as do her descriptions and narratives. The stories in DITH are lovely and compelling, and while the book is a quick read as a whole, the mood created lingers long after the stories end. Highly recommended for anyone new to the works of Robin McKinley, as well as anyone who loves well-written fantasy. Magical and unforgettable.
Robin McKinley weaves four tales in this book. Two are pretty well known fairy tales (princess and the frog and the twelve dancing princesses). One is a lesser known tale about the golden hind. The other story is about a kingdom that shares it's border with fairyland. All four tales are well told in the way that only Robin McKinley can unfold a story.
A wonderful little collection of fairy tales, into which the breath of life has been restored.
I love fairy tales so I started reading this as soon as I bought it.
Out of the four short stories, I really liked three of them. The first one didn't make too much sense to me. The characters were too perfect and the romance wasn't convincing. I'm glad the other stories were better. The last one, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, was my favorite. Probably because the main character was a retired soldier who wasn't flawless.
3.5 Stars
Out of the four short stories, I really liked three of them. The first one didn't make too much sense to me. The characters were too perfect and the romance wasn't convincing. I'm glad the other stories were better. The last one, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, was my favorite. Probably because the main character was a retired soldier who wasn't flawless.
3.5 Stars