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A review by rickijill
Gretel and the Dark by Eliza Granville
5.0
This novel is one of the best debuts I've ever read. Its structure is a little complicated as there are two narratives woven together within the context of a fairytale. The turn of the century narrative in Vienna has magical realism elements. Lillie is found by Dr. Breuer's servant Benjamin and brought to Breuer's home. She's in pitiful shape when she arrives: She's naked, bald, and mute. As Lillie overcomes her selective mutism she confides to Dr. Breuer that she isn't human, and her mission is to kill. Her words do not match her beauty; Both Breuer and Benjamin are enchanted. The mysterious appearance of butterflies at the Breuer home adds to the magical realism atmosphere and mood, and their symbolism represents the co-narrative set in Nazi Germany. Benjamin is my favorite character in the book because he sees the world as it is and maintains his honesty.
In the Nazi Germany narrative Krysta's character isn't likable. I sympathize with her nanny Greet (her mother has passed) because Krysta is such a little pill. She tells Krysta many stories and fairytales in order to give her a moral education. When Krysta and her father move away to an insidious complex that houses "animals" not "humans," Krysta draws from Greet's stories to try and make sense of her circumstances because everyone in her world creates false narratives. Fairytales provide her construct for survival.
Beautifully written, Gretel and the Dark is as the title says: dark! I find Granville's premise about the Nazi's use of fairytales as propaganda both interesting and insidious. I highly recommend this book in spite of the disturbing narratives which merge in a surprising twist. Eliza Granville is an author I will continue to read because her voice is unique and exceptional!
In the Nazi Germany narrative Krysta's character isn't likable. I sympathize with her nanny Greet (her mother has passed) because Krysta is such a little pill. She tells Krysta many stories and fairytales in order to give her a moral education. When Krysta and her father move away to an insidious complex that houses "animals" not "humans," Krysta draws from Greet's stories to try and make sense of her circumstances because everyone in her world creates false narratives. Fairytales provide her construct for survival.
Beautifully written, Gretel and the Dark is as the title says: dark! I find Granville's premise about the Nazi's use of fairytales as propaganda both interesting and insidious. I highly recommend this book in spite of the disturbing narratives which merge in a surprising twist. Eliza Granville is an author I will continue to read because her voice is unique and exceptional!