leirali -
Helpful Score: 1
Terrifying and amazing. Published as adult fiction in the author's home country, as young adult fiction in mine, and having fair warning about the story's graphic scenes I tried to keep my expectations pretty broad. Drawn from "The Ungrateful Dwarf" (the source material for the Grimm Brother's fairy tale "Snow White and Rose Red"), Lanagan explores pain and beauty, the misuse of magic, and living in a man's, man's world.
There were some places where I felt it dragged and I just wanted to hurry and get back to the characters that I liked better. Even still, the unique language and lyrical prose kept me enthralled, and I understood why those scenes were there overall.
Not an easy read, but an extremely worthwhile one. Before I was finished with it, I ordered a copy of the audiobook because I plan on spending time with this gem again.
There were some places where I felt it dragged and I just wanted to hurry and get back to the characters that I liked better. Even still, the unique language and lyrical prose kept me enthralled, and I understood why those scenes were there overall.
Not an easy read, but an extremely worthwhile one. Before I was finished with it, I ordered a copy of the audiobook because I plan on spending time with this gem again.
