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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
173. The Door in the Hedge by Robin Mckinley
Finished December 7, 2011
I think this would have gotten a higher rating if I had not just read Fragile Things: You know how it is. If you read a really good example of something, its hard not to judge what you read after it a little more harshly. I think because I just read a collection of truly great short stories, its hard to transition. Even though I love Mckinley, I think she works better in the novel format. I think she is an author who needs to take time to fully develop her stories. Part of what I love about her tales is her strong female characters, and I felt that was lacking a little here.
Does this have to do with the type of tale?: I think fairy tales, are in general, outlines. They tend to be the bare bones of stories. Cinderella's father dies, her stepmother treats her terribly, and then her fairy godmother allows her to go to the ball and she falls in love with the prince. Its a basic story. They work more like blank coloring book pages. Its easy to color them with different shades, and to rework them to different times and places because that is part of their purpose. I think they tend to be blank and simple, because they are meant to be shaded in by the particular author. However, I feel that Mckinley doesn't fully color these here; she shades them a little bit, but it feels more like a black and white portrait than a vibrant picture. That's not necessarily a bad thing. I think her stories are interesting, and I particularly loved her version of "The 12 Dancing Princesses." But I feel like she could have done more to really bring the characters to life. What I love her for is her vibrant female characters who struggle with insecurity, and these felt more like the two-dimensional princesses from my old book of fairy tales. (I think I'll be tackling fairy tales in FeelingsFriday. Are the princesses blank slates because of the simplicity of the narrative-or something more?)
Recommend: I would recommend this if you like fairy tales or Robin Mckinley. These stories are lovely retellings, and there's certainly something magical here. If you're looking more a more vibrant picture though, I would check out Beauty or Spindle's End by this author.
Finished December 7, 2011
I think this would have gotten a higher rating if I had not just read Fragile Things: You know how it is. If you read a really good example of something, its hard not to judge what you read after it a little more harshly. I think because I just read a collection of truly great short stories, its hard to transition. Even though I love Mckinley, I think she works better in the novel format. I think she is an author who needs to take time to fully develop her stories. Part of what I love about her tales is her strong female characters, and I felt that was lacking a little here.
Does this have to do with the type of tale?: I think fairy tales, are in general, outlines. They tend to be the bare bones of stories. Cinderella's father dies, her stepmother treats her terribly, and then her fairy godmother allows her to go to the ball and she falls in love with the prince. Its a basic story. They work more like blank coloring book pages. Its easy to color them with different shades, and to rework them to different times and places because that is part of their purpose. I think they tend to be blank and simple, because they are meant to be shaded in by the particular author. However, I feel that Mckinley doesn't fully color these here; she shades them a little bit, but it feels more like a black and white portrait than a vibrant picture. That's not necessarily a bad thing. I think her stories are interesting, and I particularly loved her version of "The 12 Dancing Princesses." But I feel like she could have done more to really bring the characters to life. What I love her for is her vibrant female characters who struggle with insecurity, and these felt more like the two-dimensional princesses from my old book of fairy tales. (I think I'll be tackling fairy tales in FeelingsFriday. Are the princesses blank slates because of the simplicity of the narrative-or something more?)
Recommend: I would recommend this if you like fairy tales or Robin Mckinley. These stories are lovely retellings, and there's certainly something magical here. If you're looking more a more vibrant picture though, I would check out Beauty or Spindle's End by this author.
This is a book of 4 short stories, published following her book [b:Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|41424|Beauty A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast|Robin McKinley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1294192311s/41424.jpg|2321285], and sadly, as with that one, I wasn't that impressed. It was published in 1981, but they feel to me to be more suitable for teenagers of the 1950s. I know that I as a pre-teen wouldn't have found these stimulating (in the 60s, says she showing her age).
I really enjoyed[b:Chalice|2828595|Chalice|Robin McKinley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255668235s/2828595.jpg|2854698] but have since not p0articularly enjoyed 2 books by this author. Do I keep trying?
I really enjoyed[b:Chalice|2828595|Chalice|Robin McKinley|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255668235s/2828595.jpg|2854698] but have since not p0articularly enjoyed 2 books by this author. Do I keep trying?
Felt a little like Spindle's End, but not distinctly McKinley. I keep hoping to find a book that captures the magic of The Blue Sword and Chalice, but Intisar Khanani and Elisabeth George Speare and Shannon Hale keep doing that better than McKinley herself...
Ah well. All in all, a decent collection of retellings that felt like a grown-up version of Gail Carson Levine, with a little more ethereal terror and a little less whimsy. I liked it. I liked the audiobook reader. Probably the Princess & the Frog story was my favorite (but it needed more!).
Ah well. All in all, a decent collection of retellings that felt like a grown-up version of Gail Carson Levine, with a little more ethereal terror and a little less whimsy. I liked it. I liked the audiobook reader. Probably the Princess & the Frog story was my favorite (but it needed more!).
Some wonderful short tales. I prefer her originals to the retellings, at least in this collection!
Re-read. I'm not a big fan of short fiction - I want time for the characters and plot to develop. However, these short stories are just as good as ever, though I didn't remember how *quickly* everyone falls in love. Still one of my favorite retellings of the 12 dancing princesses--a little dark, with a solid, likable main character.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I'm a fan of seeing people expand and add color to well known stories, and these are pretty good examples. McKinley's style drags in one or two places but is overall a pleasure to read. For me, the first and last are the strongest of the bunch.
These stories read like beautiful, grown-up fairy tales. The writing and tone are just luscious!! I wish all of the stories were longer, but I also appreciate them for what they are.
The Door in the Hedge was really enjoyable of the four stories.