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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Absolutely fantastic! Must-read for Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell"s fans.
I had read a preview of this book in the summer, but decided to wait until closer to Christmas to read it, since the story opens at Christmastime. I'm glad I waited, because the ambiance of the season really added to my enjoyment.
The story drew me in immediately and had me looking for opportunities to steal away for a few minutes to read some more pages. The story, in short, winds its way through the viewpoints of several characters wrestling with how to respond to the reappearance of Tara, who disappeared 20 years earlier at the age of 16, and claims she has been living with the fairies all that time (although for her it was but 6 months). Every person in the book has a different response, based upon their relationship with Tara, and Joyce does a wonderful job of conveying their hurt, their perplexity, and their happiness at her return. I certainly hope to re-read this book at some point in the future, and I can honestly urge you to read it as well.
The story drew me in immediately and had me looking for opportunities to steal away for a few minutes to read some more pages. The story, in short, winds its way through the viewpoints of several characters wrestling with how to respond to the reappearance of Tara, who disappeared 20 years earlier at the age of 16, and claims she has been living with the fairies all that time (although for her it was but 6 months). Every person in the book has a different response, based upon their relationship with Tara, and Joyce does a wonderful job of conveying their hurt, their perplexity, and their happiness at her return. I certainly hope to re-read this book at some point in the future, and I can honestly urge you to read it as well.
+
multi-genre (fantasy, realistic fiction, psychologist notes, quotes from primary sources, etc.)
delightful use of language
interesting character development
-
NSFW language
several explicit scenes
While I liked the story/concept and enjoyed the writer's style, the foul language (and there was a lot) and references to sex (unsurprising in a story about the Fae folk, but unnecessary) ended up making me consider abandoning the book. If it hadn't had those downsides, I would have given a 4 star rating.
multi-genre (fantasy, realistic fiction, psychologist notes, quotes from primary sources, etc.)
delightful use of language
interesting character development
-
NSFW language
several explicit scenes
While I liked the story/concept and enjoyed the writer's style, the foul language (and there was a lot) and references to sex (unsurprising in a story about the Fae folk, but unnecessary) ended up making me consider abandoning the book. If it hadn't had those downsides, I would have given a 4 star rating.
While reading Some King of Fairy Tale, I knew I wasn't loving the book. It was meh and I assumed I'd have forgotten it existed approximately two days after completing my reading. It turns out, after a night to think on it, I dislike this book. Not strongly but certainly. I think there's too little on offer here for strong feelings of any kind. The story was exactly what I expected it to be with nearly no surprises. I was unhappy reading it, though. I found something depressing about the book that I can't put my finger on. Most of the characters aren't likable but neither are they unlikable (with the exception of Jack throughout the whole book and Mrs. Martin toward the end of the book. I hate Jack and found Mrs. Martin lacking.) The characters are dully selfish, always being just supportive enough of Tara to make themselves look like decent people. I never got the sense that anyone really, earnestly cared about her. Even Richie, who I think sees her as nothing more than a manic pixie dream girl. He likes/loves her insofar as she makes him feel better about himself and his life but it doesn't seem to have much to do with who she is, how she feels, or what she wants. Simply that he thinks she makes him better so there's the sum total of her value.
Well, what of fairyland? Maybe that part could win me over. Except no. Fairyland or the other world or whatever (the book doesn't have much in the way of terminology for things involving where Tara went) doesn't have any discernible draw. We're told Tara has strong feelings about it but nothing in the text made that believable for me. Fairyland is a beautiful little spot full of mystical scholars and sex and violence. It doesn't feel special. It feels like any old new agey cult place you'd see in a dated documentary. That would make sense if we were really supposed to think it equally possible that Tara ran away to somewhere else in England or was abducted to Fairyland but the book heavily implies the reader should lean toward believing in Fairyland even though nearly all of the characters disbelieve. It was never left uncertain enough for my tastes.
None of the relationships between Tara and the fairies made much sense, either. There were a couple instances of instalove that went far too stalkery for my tastes. Perhaps because Tara isn't a person? Is she just supposed to be a manic pixie dream girl to act as plot device for the rest of the characters? I can't tell you but it did leave me feeling like the world of this book had a low opinion of women. Then again, it had a low-ish and not very deep take on all the characters. No one was highly valued, none of the relationships felt deep or meaningful. I think they were supposed to but it didn't translate for me.
In the end, I left this book feeling a bit icky with no real way to place exactly what was wrong. It was all just off, boringly unpleasant.
Well, what of fairyland? Maybe that part could win me over. Except no. Fairyland or the other world or whatever (the book doesn't have much in the way of terminology for things involving where Tara went) doesn't have any discernible draw. We're told Tara has strong feelings about it but nothing in the text made that believable for me. Fairyland is a beautiful little spot full of mystical scholars and sex and violence. It doesn't feel special. It feels like any old new agey cult place you'd see in a dated documentary. That would make sense if we were really supposed to think it equally possible that Tara ran away to somewhere else in England or was abducted to Fairyland but the book heavily implies the reader should lean toward believing in Fairyland even though nearly all of the characters disbelieve. It was never left uncertain enough for my tastes.
None of the relationships between Tara and the fairies made much sense, either. There were a couple instances of instalove that went far too stalkery for my tastes. Perhaps because Tara isn't a person? Is she just supposed to be a manic pixie dream girl to act as plot device for the rest of the characters? I can't tell you but it did leave me feeling like the world of this book had a low opinion of women. Then again, it had a low-ish and not very deep take on all the characters. No one was highly valued, none of the relationships felt deep or meaningful. I think they were supposed to but it didn't translate for me.
In the end, I left this book feeling a bit icky with no real way to place exactly what was wrong. It was all just off, boringly unpleasant.
A fantastical and magical tale interwoven with those left behind. A bewitching and enchanting read that will transport you. All you lucky people yet to read this I envy you!
Another one. I mean, another good sink-your-teeth-in book. I read this one in a matter of hours.
Christmas Day, Tara returns home. Tara's been gone for 20 years but, upon her return, has hardly aged at all. She looks tired, maybe wiser, but otherwise, she appears to be a 36-year-old in the body of a 16-year-old. The story is told from various perspectives. When Tara is telling her story, it is from her perspective, though the listener varies between her brother Peter, her ex-boyfriend Richie, and her shrink Vivian (Mr. Vivian Underwood). Tara's story is the heart of it -- what events led up to her disappearance, where she was, what has happened since she has been back.
Sometimes the story is in first person, sometimes in third. Sometimes the author uses quotes to indicate conversation, sometimes merely logic (e.g., He told me, don't do that). Joyce uses a variety of quotes to intro his chapters, which quotes set the mood for the chapter and the perspective, the best of which are a transcription of the trial of Michael Cleary for the murder of his wife Bridget Cleary.
The book is well paced and pulls you through. I really didn't put it down until I was done. I was impressed with the way Joyce implemented the various perspectives and thought his voice was largely convincing for most if not all of the characters. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Underwood's report, perspectives, conversations.
The first 50 or so pages aren't the best in the book. It almost feels like a little too much set up before we get to "the goods." I didn't think I really loved the ending, either, but I felt like I understood the reasoning behind it. Then, upon further reflection, I was very impressed with the window that was left open. It was all cinched up *just* enough to keep you wondering about absolutely all of it. Which I am surprisingly very happy about because I normally like nice, neat packages.
I definitely recommend the book. It falls somewhere between magical realism and fantasy. It's interesting and well told. And best of all, it's a real novel.
Christmas Day, Tara returns home. Tara's been gone for 20 years but, upon her return, has hardly aged at all. She looks tired, maybe wiser, but otherwise, she appears to be a 36-year-old in the body of a 16-year-old. The story is told from various perspectives. When Tara is telling her story, it is from her perspective, though the listener varies between her brother Peter, her ex-boyfriend Richie, and her shrink Vivian (Mr. Vivian Underwood). Tara's story is the heart of it -- what events led up to her disappearance, where she was, what has happened since she has been back.
Sometimes the story is in first person, sometimes in third. Sometimes the author uses quotes to indicate conversation, sometimes merely logic (e.g., He told me, don't do that). Joyce uses a variety of quotes to intro his chapters, which quotes set the mood for the chapter and the perspective, the best of which are a transcription of the trial of Michael Cleary for the murder of his wife Bridget Cleary.
The book is well paced and pulls you through. I really didn't put it down until I was done. I was impressed with the way Joyce implemented the various perspectives and thought his voice was largely convincing for most if not all of the characters. I particularly enjoyed Dr. Underwood's report, perspectives, conversations.
The first 50 or so pages aren't the best in the book. It almost feels like a little too much set up before we get to "the goods." I didn't think I really loved the ending, either, but I felt like I understood the reasoning behind it. Then, upon further reflection, I was very impressed with the window that was left open. It was all cinched up *just* enough to keep you wondering about absolutely all of it. Which I am surprisingly very happy about because I normally like nice, neat packages.
I definitely recommend the book. It falls somewhere between magical realism and fantasy. It's interesting and well told. And best of all, it's a real novel.
My dislike of many of the characters has clouded my view of the writing. At one point I yelled "I hate you, you fictional characters!".
An interesting take on the supernatural world of the fairies, and missing girls, populated but lots of really awful characters. The writing at times seems very old fashioned, like someone from the 1950's trying to sound hip talking to the cool kids in the 70s & 80s, but we're never given clear indication of who the narrator of the story actually is, so perhaps that's an artefact of the narrator and not the stilted writing it sometimes comes across as.
The boy, Ritchie, who's girlfriend disappeared, was a manipulative, jealous, possessive, violent arsehole.
The psychiatrist was horrible and unethical and should probably lose his medical license.
The fairy who spirited away Tara was clearly a serial kidnapper of young women, notably underage teenage girls. He, like her teenage human boyfriend, is a manipulative, jealous, possessive, violent, and also murderous, arsehole. He manages to get Tara (still physically a teenager due to Fairy Time) to return to him, yet he still shortly afterwards attempts to kidnap her teenage niece!
The young teenage nephew of Tara is a bit of a junior psychopath, receiving an air rifle for Christmas, his favourite hobby is shooting small animals - rats, foxes, and accidentally, his neighbours cat, which he then covers up. The only remorse in killing the cat is the fear that he will be caught & punished, he doesn't seem to care that he's killed the animal. He then goes off on a completely stupid escapade to try to cover up his killing of the cat.
Tara and other girls kidnapped by the fairies are gas-lighted & victim blamed. They are accused, and made to believe themselves, that they went "willingly", but that is bullshit, they were deceived and did not give informed consent to wander off to another dimension with a supernatural being, damaging the lives of the people they left behind. The fairies are lying, raping, violent & murderous arseholes.
Tara only returns to her abusive relationship with the Hiero, to save the live of her other abusive boyfriend, and we're led to believe this a noble choice she has made. WTF.
At least I felt some sympathy for Ricthie, his parents were absent/alcoholics, the only people who supported him emotionally thought he murdered their daughter, the cops bashed him & jailed him for a small amount of pot, all while he was barely 18 - no wonder he had difficulties.
The side parts about the murder of Bridget Cleary are interesting, but that particular case doesn't seem to flow with the story. Her husband claimed that she had gone missing briefly & was replaced by a changling. She was murdered due to attempted "exorcism" - far more extreme & less bizarre than the Rip Van Winkle nature of Tara's experience, so aside from the moral being "fairies are dangerous arseholes", there's not really any other similarity.
Ugh.
An interesting take on the supernatural world of the fairies, and missing girls, populated but lots of really awful characters. The writing at times seems very old fashioned, like someone from the 1950's trying to sound hip talking to the cool kids in the 70s & 80s, but we're never given clear indication of who the narrator of the story actually is, so perhaps that's an artefact of the narrator and not the stilted writing it sometimes comes across as.
The boy, Ritchie, who's girlfriend disappeared, was a manipulative, jealous, possessive, violent arsehole.
The psychiatrist was horrible and unethical and should probably lose his medical license.
The fairy who spirited away Tara was clearly a serial kidnapper of young women, notably underage teenage girls. He, like her teenage human boyfriend, is a manipulative, jealous, possessive, violent, and also murderous, arsehole. He manages to get Tara (still physically a teenager due to Fairy Time) to return to him, yet he still shortly afterwards attempts to kidnap her teenage niece!
The young teenage nephew of Tara is a bit of a junior psychopath, receiving an air rifle for Christmas, his favourite hobby is shooting small animals - rats, foxes, and accidentally, his neighbours cat, which he then covers up. The only remorse in killing the cat is the fear that he will be caught & punished, he doesn't seem to care that he's killed the animal. He then goes off on a completely stupid escapade to try to cover up his killing of the cat.
Tara and other girls kidnapped by the fairies are gas-lighted & victim blamed. They are accused, and made to believe themselves, that they went "willingly", but that is bullshit, they were deceived and did not give informed consent to wander off to another dimension with a supernatural being, damaging the lives of the people they left behind. The fairies are lying, raping, violent & murderous arseholes.
Tara only returns to her abusive relationship with the Hiero, to save the live of her other abusive boyfriend, and we're led to believe this a noble choice she has made. WTF.
At least I felt some sympathy for Ricthie, his parents were absent/alcoholics, the only people who supported him emotionally thought he murdered their daughter, the cops bashed him & jailed him for a small amount of pot, all while he was barely 18 - no wonder he had difficulties.
The side parts about the murder of Bridget Cleary are interesting, but that particular case doesn't seem to flow with the story. Her husband claimed that she had gone missing briefly & was replaced by a changling. She was murdered due to attempted "exorcism" - far more extreme & less bizarre than the Rip Van Winkle nature of Tara's experience, so aside from the moral being "fairies are dangerous arseholes", there's not really any other similarity.
Ugh.
What a wonderful fantastical story! One is left wondering which truth is the real truth. Was this a fairy tale or a dark story of kidnapping and mind manipulation. Either way it's a reminder that it's not always safe to talk to strangers...
This book has at its core a fantasy premise that should be hard to believe, but because of how the story is presented, it's not, which makes it less of a psychological exploration than I think it was intended to be. More interestingly, the fantasy bits are what work the least well. The mundane parts about girl's brother and his family are easily the best part of the book. Still, it was a very enjoyable read.
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Out from the library
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Out from the library
I received this book as part of Goodreads First Reads.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I wasn't so sure where it was going, but the level of detail within the plot was wonderful and the story flowed beautifully. I would love to read another book by this author.
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I wasn't so sure where it was going, but the level of detail within the plot was wonderful and the story flowed beautifully. I would love to read another book by this author.