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A review by katykelly
The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
5.0
Unexpected themes and characters - contemporary look at Russian fairytale staples.
I just loved it. I really hope the themes don't stop parents from buying this for children, as it looks at death in a very child-centric way, with maturity and consideration.
If you know the story of Baba Yaga, as I do from childhood, you'll know the scary woman in the woods, in a magic house with magic animals, ready to eat and chase children. The Baba Yaga here is much more realistic, and she has an apprentice - Marinka.
Marinka and Baba Yaga work as guides, moving around the world in a house with legs and settling in places where they help the recently dead to move through to the spirit world. A fulfilling and pivotal role, and Baba Yaga thrives on meeting and aiding the dispossessed, and condensing their experiences and trials into the primary purpose and essence of their lives.
Her 12-year old apprentice however, feels uninspired and has itchy feet for something more...
In a story that travels the world, that has one (chicken) foot in our world and one in the hereafter, Marinka is the reader's guide to an adolescent's searching for her own purpose and role.
The protagonist is winning, a youth with yearnings we all know, who doesn't want to be pigeon-holed but feels beholden.
It's a fascinating look at 'end of life' celebrations, at European fairy tale traditions, and at the same time is a modern-enough-feeling young person trying to suss out their own future and push against the old-fashioned previous generations.
I loved the fact that the House is a character itself, with a personality, one of my favourite aspects of the book. I would LOVE to see this with adequate special effects put onto the screen.
It isn't as dark as it sounds, despite the subject matter. I hope readers discover the original Baba Yaga tales after this, and appreciate the insight into the character and figure.
Wonderful story, great characters, just magical, uplifting and hard to forget. One for ages 9-13.
With thanks to the publisher for the sample reading copy.
I just loved it. I really hope the themes don't stop parents from buying this for children, as it looks at death in a very child-centric way, with maturity and consideration.
If you know the story of Baba Yaga, as I do from childhood, you'll know the scary woman in the woods, in a magic house with magic animals, ready to eat and chase children. The Baba Yaga here is much more realistic, and she has an apprentice - Marinka.
Marinka and Baba Yaga work as guides, moving around the world in a house with legs and settling in places where they help the recently dead to move through to the spirit world. A fulfilling and pivotal role, and Baba Yaga thrives on meeting and aiding the dispossessed, and condensing their experiences and trials into the primary purpose and essence of their lives.
Her 12-year old apprentice however, feels uninspired and has itchy feet for something more...
In a story that travels the world, that has one (chicken) foot in our world and one in the hereafter, Marinka is the reader's guide to an adolescent's searching for her own purpose and role.
The protagonist is winning, a youth with yearnings we all know, who doesn't want to be pigeon-holed but feels beholden.
It's a fascinating look at 'end of life' celebrations, at European fairy tale traditions, and at the same time is a modern-enough-feeling young person trying to suss out their own future and push against the old-fashioned previous generations.
I loved the fact that the House is a character itself, with a personality, one of my favourite aspects of the book. I would LOVE to see this with adequate special effects put onto the screen.
It isn't as dark as it sounds, despite the subject matter. I hope readers discover the original Baba Yaga tales after this, and appreciate the insight into the character and figure.
Wonderful story, great characters, just magical, uplifting and hard to forget. One for ages 9-13.
With thanks to the publisher for the sample reading copy.