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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
A disappearance, a reappearance, unanswered questions, lost years all around. Tara's sudden return causes gentle waves of disruption, absorbed in different ways by the families and friends she left behind. I liked the way life carried on for everyone, even after the return, the book was shaped around Tara, but wasn't wholly about her. Lots to like in this book, thoroughly recommended.
I was intrigued by the premise of Some Kind of Fairy Tale which seemed similar to that of [b:Don't Breathe a Word|9581507|Don't Breathe a Word|Jennifer McMahon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327936396s/9581507.jpg|14468425], which I really enjoyed last year. When Tara disappeared it was assumed she had been abducted and murdered in the woods surrounding the village but twenty years later, on Christmas Day, a disheveled Tara, looking barely any older than when she left, knocks on the door of her childhood home. When pressed she claims that she was lured away by a man on a white horse, just six months ago and has been trapped in an otherworldly place, eager to return but forced to wait until the hinge of the day. Tara's parents accept her story afraid of driving her away again, but her brother, Peter, is infuriated by her whimsical explanation. Richie, Tara's childhood sweetheart who was briefly a suspect in her disappearance, is thrilled by her return, no matter where she has been. The psychiatrist she is forced to consult with believes Tara's story is simply an elaborate confabulation to obscure a horrible trauma. As the line between fantasy and fact begins to blur, who will you believe?
Some Kind of Fairy Tale started quite strongly, and I'm not entirely sure when my attention began to drift but I think it was before I reached the half way point. I was determined to keep reading though, certain that the story would pull me back but unfortunately that never really happened. The element of ambiguity that the entire novel relies on failed to provide the tension I hoped. The overlap between Tara's 'truth' and the more rational perspectives of her family and the psychiatrist, simply never blurred enough to provide the element of doubt. I needed to question Tara's story, without the space to do so the attempts of Peter and the psychiatrist to prove otherwise seemed crude.
Peter was probably the strongest character, his hurt and confusion at his sisters return and his desire for a rational explanation are realistic. I was disappointed we learn almost nothing of how Tara feels to be back amongst the world and reunited with her family. I never figured out the identity of the mysterious narrator, and that it was at least partially why I felt removed from the story.
Perhaps if I hadn't previously read a similar story to this I would have enjoyed Some Kind of Fairy Tale more. The structure is there, as is the concept and the writing is fine it just didn't find it gripping. Though for me Some Kind of Fairy Tale was a fairly ordinary read, others have found it impressive, you will have to make up your own mind.
*unfinished*
Some Kind of Fairy Tale started quite strongly, and I'm not entirely sure when my attention began to drift but I think it was before I reached the half way point. I was determined to keep reading though, certain that the story would pull me back but unfortunately that never really happened. The element of ambiguity that the entire novel relies on failed to provide the tension I hoped. The overlap between Tara's 'truth' and the more rational perspectives of her family and the psychiatrist, simply never blurred enough to provide the element of doubt. I needed to question Tara's story, without the space to do so the attempts of Peter and the psychiatrist to prove otherwise seemed crude.
Peter was probably the strongest character, his hurt and confusion at his sisters return and his desire for a rational explanation are realistic. I was disappointed we learn almost nothing of how Tara feels to be back amongst the world and reunited with her family. I never figured out the identity of the mysterious narrator, and that it was at least partially why I felt removed from the story.
Perhaps if I hadn't previously read a similar story to this I would have enjoyed Some Kind of Fairy Tale more. The structure is there, as is the concept and the writing is fine it just didn't find it gripping. Though for me Some Kind of Fairy Tale was a fairly ordinary read, others have found it impressive, you will have to make up your own mind.
*unfinished*
An enjoyable tale overall, although some parts it seemed to drag on a bit it still kept me entertained.
Surprisingly, the explanation via the psychiatrist didn't feel like the author was dumbing it down for the audience
Surprisingly, the explanation via the psychiatrist didn't feel like the author was dumbing it down for the audience
Great recommendation from Mrs Mike! This book has mystery, dark family secrets, wonder, some glorious descriptive writing... One thing for certain is that I'll be returning to Mr Joyce's work.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked the thought of this book but I wish it had ended differently. I liked hearing about Tara and the place she went and I wanted to know if she went back. The doctors notes were dragging for me and some of the language could be left out. Overall just a so so book.
The two realities of magical and mundane are effortlessly blended in this story. The characters are real and believable, and the question at the heart of the book will leave you wondering long after the last page.
First off, my rating is not a knock to the author at all; it's just a reflection of my own personal reading tastes.
I liked the writing and thought the author quite talented, however I was left with such an overwhelming sense of disappointment at the ending of this book, that I actually felt cheated. The story was excellent and far too intriguing to have ended so unsatisfactorily.
I'm not referring to an unsatisfactory ending that leaves you at a cliffhanger, and I'm not referring to an ending that is incredibly sad or depressing; that's not the kind of ending I'm referring to. That's not the kind of ending this book has. The ending of this book felt extraordinarily unfinished and was a huge letdown for me. I also thought there were loose ends all over the place (unless I was just not clever enough to connect all the dots - which is very possible).
I wish the author had taken this story in another direction. Not everyone will feel this way though. I can see how some people would give this book 5 stars. It's bursting at the seams with symbolism which many people will love. If you are into that kind of thing, you will have a lot of fun deconstructing this story.
But for me personally, I just wanted this truly interesting story to led to a more satisfactory place than what it did.
I liked the writing and thought the author quite talented, however I was left with such an overwhelming sense of disappointment at the ending of this book, that I actually felt cheated. The story was excellent and far too intriguing to have ended so unsatisfactorily.
I'm not referring to an unsatisfactory ending that leaves you at a cliffhanger, and I'm not referring to an ending that is incredibly sad or depressing; that's not the kind of ending I'm referring to. That's not the kind of ending this book has. The ending of this book felt extraordinarily unfinished and was a huge letdown for me. I also thought there were loose ends all over the place (unless I was just not clever enough to connect all the dots - which is very possible).
I wish the author had taken this story in another direction. Not everyone will feel this way though. I can see how some people would give this book 5 stars. It's bursting at the seams with symbolism which many people will love. If you are into that kind of thing, you will have a lot of fun deconstructing this story.
But for me personally, I just wanted this truly interesting story to led to a more satisfactory place than what it did.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A frustrating story.