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A review by sylvannah
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
5.0
At the risk of sounding like a NYT blurb, I must say: this book is a TRIUMPH. I have zero complaints because I loved everything about it and I will likely read it several more times. And let me tell you why!
1. A believable, fallible, interesting lead. Miryem’s flaws and mistakes (cockiness, bragging, stubbornness) are just as important to the story as her successes and positive traits (tenacity, intelligence, quick thinking, generosity of spirit). Novik has written another female protagonist that feels layered, nuanced, and REAL.
2. Complex villains with (sometimes) understandable motives. This is the real strength of both Spinning Silver and Uprooted: Novik writes antagonists worth sympathy. A king who wants to protect his people, even at the cost of others’ lives. A prince backed into a corner by a deal made long ago. They feel as real as Miryem because they don’t just do evil things because they are evil, they do them for love, for family, for power, for survival... and it’s easy to imagine yourself in their place making those same decisions.
3. The setting! Vaguely historical, wonderfully fantastical, grounded in the familiar backbone of poverty, bigotry, but overall community. Spinning Silver shines a light on the unpleasant origins of the Rumplestiltskin story, but flips it around to show the ugliness of stereotypes and the profound power of a faith community. Miryem’s Jewishness and Jewish community are the source of much of her strength. I could not tell you many mainstream fantasy novels that feature Judaism so prominently, and yet bring their goyim readers (me!) along so effortlessly. I felt invited in to a world that was unfamiliar, rather than looking in through a window.
There are many more things I could rave about. The emphasis on looking out for those less fortunate than you. The sparkling array of supporting characters, each distinct from the others. The beautiful, magical prose. The satisfying, difficult to predict ending. It’s all so good, and it’s why I’ll be forcing this book on all my friends from now on!
1. A believable, fallible, interesting lead. Miryem’s flaws and mistakes (cockiness, bragging, stubbornness) are just as important to the story as her successes and positive traits (tenacity, intelligence, quick thinking, generosity of spirit). Novik has written another female protagonist that feels layered, nuanced, and REAL.
2. Complex villains with (sometimes) understandable motives. This is the real strength of both Spinning Silver and Uprooted: Novik writes antagonists worth sympathy. A king who wants to protect his people, even at the cost of others’ lives. A prince backed into a corner by a deal made long ago. They feel as real as Miryem because they don’t just do evil things because they are evil, they do them for love, for family, for power, for survival... and it’s easy to imagine yourself in their place making those same decisions.
3. The setting! Vaguely historical, wonderfully fantastical, grounded in the familiar backbone of poverty, bigotry, but overall community. Spinning Silver shines a light on the unpleasant origins of the Rumplestiltskin story, but flips it around to show the ugliness of stereotypes and the profound power of a faith community. Miryem’s Jewishness and Jewish community are the source of much of her strength. I could not tell you many mainstream fantasy novels that feature Judaism so prominently, and yet bring their goyim readers (me!) along so effortlessly. I felt invited in to a world that was unfamiliar, rather than looking in through a window.
There are many more things I could rave about. The emphasis on looking out for those less fortunate than you. The sparkling array of supporting characters, each distinct from the others. The beautiful, magical prose. The satisfying, difficult to predict ending. It’s all so good, and it’s why I’ll be forcing this book on all my friends from now on!