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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Okay, so, I expected to not enjoy this particularly much, and I ended up...not enjoying this particularly much.
Going into this story, the book has a few things going against it already: one, it's a retelling of not-my-favorite fairy tale. Two, it moves between the past and the present, which is something that I don't like in stories. (I get that some people like that, because there have been more than a few bestsellers that use that particular trope.) Three, I suspected strongly that there would be no magic, and lo and behold, there was none.
This is, at its heart, a coming of age story about the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. It is historical fiction, framed by the Briar Rose story. It is heartbreaking and horrible, in the way that such stories often are. If you're the type to cry whilst reading, this book will probably do it.
Despite my hopes that Ms Yolen had successfully added a magical layer to the historical story, there isn't one. It's a good story, and extremely well-written but it's not one I really enjoyed.
I enjoyed the travel bits, but I always do.
Read it for the commentary about the lost lives and about the horrors of the Holocaust. Read it for a harrowing first-hand view of what life might have been like during that time period. Read it for the surprisingly progressive (it was published in 1992) and thoughtful second story about LGBT lives past and present. But don't read it expecting to enjoy yourself.
Going into this story, the book has a few things going against it already: one, it's a retelling of not-my-favorite fairy tale. Two, it moves between the past and the present, which is something that I don't like in stories. (I get that some people like that, because there have been more than a few bestsellers that use that particular trope.) Three, I suspected strongly that there would be no magic, and lo and behold, there was none.
This is, at its heart, a coming of age story about the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. It is historical fiction, framed by the Briar Rose story. It is heartbreaking and horrible, in the way that such stories often are. If you're the type to cry whilst reading, this book will probably do it.
Despite my hopes that Ms Yolen had successfully added a magical layer to the historical story, there isn't one. It's a good story, and extremely well-written but it's not one I really enjoyed.
I enjoyed the travel bits, but I always do.
Read it for the commentary about the lost lives and about the horrors of the Holocaust. Read it for a harrowing first-hand view of what life might have been like during that time period. Read it for the surprisingly progressive (it was published in 1992) and thoughtful second story about LGBT lives past and present. But don't read it expecting to enjoy yourself.
Sheesh, I'm reading so much Holocaust stuff that I need a Holocaust shelf. It's sad.
Anyway. I think this was a great book and I liked it (unaccountably . . . I don't usually like historical fiction unless it involves a time machine).
Anyway. I think this was a great book and I liked it (unaccountably . . . I don't usually like historical fiction unless it involves a time machine).
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The two older sisters are ridiculous Jewish stereotypes. Why??? Not a fan.
I really appreciated discovering the story of the events that happened in Chelmno. This book shed some light of portions of the Holocaust that I actually didn’t know about, which is saying something since I’ve read so many books on the topic. I liked how the author painted the picture and weaved the fairy tale story line in, reminded me a lot of Kristin Hannah’s ‘Winter Garden’ which I recently read. There were some parts where the writing style seemed weak and immaturely written, hence why I’m giving it a 4 ⭐️.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really loved this book. There were a few moments that I questioned why this is a children's book, because there are jokes about foreplay and other adult topics, but I am guessing those are not things that they would typically notice.
As someone that was their with their grandparent through the dying process, Rebecca was extremely relatable. It was heartwarming to watch her go through the journey of discovering her past. She didn't fully figure out the story, the story of Gemma's past it lost like so many other people who lived through the Holocaust. Rebecca did find out enough to understand more of why her grandma was the way she was.
I also thought it was very creative of Yolen to take the events of the Holocaust and connect it to sleeping beauty. Whenever I read fairytale adaption I end up not liking them because they stick too much to the original story rather than becoming something of it's own. This story does not do that, Definitely a book I would reccomend.
As someone that was their with their grandparent through the dying process, Rebecca was extremely relatable. It was heartwarming to watch her go through the journey of discovering her past. She didn't fully figure out the story, the story of Gemma's past it lost like so many other people who lived through the Holocaust. Rebecca did find out enough to understand more of why her grandma was the way she was.
I also thought it was very creative of Yolen to take the events of the Holocaust and connect it to sleeping beauty. Whenever I read fairytale adaption I end up not liking them because they stick too much to the original story rather than becoming something of it's own. This story does not do that, Definitely a book I would reccomend.
Good little family mystery, told very well. Wish it had more actual fantasy to it but that's on me.
fast-paced
This is not a book you 'really like' because it deals with the holocaust. That said, it was a well written and interesting take on fairy tales and their purpose in society. The story is well told and horrifying, the more so for its elements of truth.