Genres
Description
Joshua Pearl comes from a world that we no longer believe in-- a world of fairy tale. He knows that his great love waits for him there, but he is stuck in an unfamiliar time and place: an old-world marshmallow shop in Paris on the eve of World War II. As his memories begin to fade, Joshua seeks out strange objects: tiny fragments of tales that have already been told, trinkets that might possibly help him prove his own story before his love is lost forever.
Publication
Candlewick (2018), 368 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member bookczuk
A fairy tale, a first love, a glimpse into a forgotten world, a love undying... lovely.
LibraryThing member ladycato
I received this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
As this is a book marketed as literary despite its heady fantasy elements, I was a bit skeptical going in; I see no shame in a full-on fantasy label for a book. Even with the book done, I am left ambivalent. There is a lot to
Foremost is the literary element. The flow of the book is downright confusing at times as it jumps between past and present and different points of view. It's experimental, and feels like it. The book is structured by a love story that never quite felt genuine to me, either. It's pure insta-love in a classical tradition, and it's especially frustrating that all three of the major male characters fall in love with the same woman like that. Her love for the hero, as shown in flashbacks, feels more genuine. The love of the narrator (not the hero) feels empty, especially in present day events where his family is referenced only to dismiss them. The bad guy's love doesn't make sense at all, except that it enhances his badness.
The fantasy setting is completely derivative and doesn't offer anything new except for the mildly unique Ladyhawke-esque curse that dooms the lovers and divides them on non-magical Earth.
However, readers will find other things to love. The words are poetic and stunning; the translators did an amazing job in that. The events on Earth are completely engaging, too. Joshua Pearl (as he comes to be known) is dropped into France on the brink of World War II, where he is adopted by a wonderful couple who manage a marshmallow shop. The dark events of the war are shown in glances, through a fairy tale-like tinge. His journeys--and those of Olia--after the war are likewise fascinating. The book is an incredibly fast read, never boring.
Even with its flaws, it was an enjoyable read, but one I would be hesitant to recommend, especially to other fantasy readers who will likely crave something that is not quite so derivative.
As this is a book marketed as literary despite its heady fantasy elements, I was a bit skeptical going in; I see no shame in a full-on fantasy label for a book. Even with the book done, I am left ambivalent. There is a lot to
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like about this book, and a lot to find frustrating as well.Foremost is the literary element. The flow of the book is downright confusing at times as it jumps between past and present and different points of view. It's experimental, and feels like it. The book is structured by a love story that never quite felt genuine to me, either. It's pure insta-love in a classical tradition, and it's especially frustrating that all three of the major male characters fall in love with the same woman like that. Her love for the hero, as shown in flashbacks, feels more genuine. The love of the narrator (not the hero) feels empty, especially in present day events where his family is referenced only to dismiss them. The bad guy's love doesn't make sense at all, except that it enhances his badness.
The fantasy setting is completely derivative and doesn't offer anything new except for the mildly unique Ladyhawke-esque curse that dooms the lovers and divides them on non-magical Earth.
However, readers will find other things to love. The words are poetic and stunning; the translators did an amazing job in that. The events on Earth are completely engaging, too. Joshua Pearl (as he comes to be known) is dropped into France on the brink of World War II, where he is adopted by a wonderful couple who manage a marshmallow shop. The dark events of the war are shown in glances, through a fairy tale-like tinge. His journeys--and those of Olia--after the war are likewise fascinating. The book is an incredibly fast read, never boring.
Even with its flaws, it was an enjoyable read, but one I would be hesitant to recommend, especially to other fantasy readers who will likely crave something that is not quite so derivative.
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LibraryThing member lowelibrary
I had trouble getting into the story until they got into the actual story of Joshua Pearl. I loved Pearl and Olia's story but the outer story was hopefully lost in translation. It was unnecessary by my estimation.
On a side note the next time I read this book I am eating marshmallows.
On a side note the next time I read this book I am eating marshmallows.
LibraryThing member nittnut
This is a tough one to review. The translation is beautifully done, the language is lyrical and fitting for a fairy tale. The fairy tale world is fascinating and well drawn. When the story jumps to WWII France, the setting is also perfectly done. The story moves along well and is engaging, to a
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point. On the other hand, I had trouble buying in to both the love story and the conflict. I didn't like the narrator, who had no real love story of his own to bring any feeling into his narration. It's possible that parts of the story just needed development. The shifting points of view and the occasional forays of the fairy tale world into the "real" world sometimes felt random and disorienting. Mixed results for me. I wanted to love it, but I didn't. Show Less
LibraryThing member CatherineHsu
This was poetic for sure, but that might've worked against the book actually. It really read like a fairy tale instead of a novel - but I was still a little confused by the sequence of events because the story jumped from character to character, from world to world, and from time to time.
LibraryThing member Bitter_Grace
This is a beautiful book. One that pulls you right in with its charming characters, elegant writing and subtle humour. A love story at heart, it chronicles the life of a man who has been cast out of his fairy tale into our world, where he endeavors to collect any stray fragments from his land so he
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can find his way back to his sweetheart. It's been a while since I've gotten so much joy from reading a book. Absolutely wonderful. Show Less
LibraryThing member aya.herron
A young man suddenly finds himself transported to a strange world in a different time. It is just before WWII in Paris, and a couple takes him in. He eventually takes their name and as Joshua Pearl, he sets out to make his way in the world. Along the way he begins to lose his memories of this fairy
The Bottom Line: This is a strange and wonderful adventure set in another time. It is a pleasure to read and absorb; however, the shifting points of view are confusing at times. If you dare to pick this book up and start reading, you will be swept away by this poetic tale of first love. Recommended for teens and adults who enjoy literary fiction, fairy tales,and romance.
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tale beginnings. Pearl spends his free time seeking out objects to prove the existence of his other life and his long lost love. With time running out, Joshua and his true love must find a way to break the curse that was placed on them long, long ago.The Bottom Line: This is a strange and wonderful adventure set in another time. It is a pleasure to read and absorb; however, the shifting points of view are confusing at times. If you dare to pick this book up and start reading, you will be swept away by this poetic tale of first love. Recommended for teens and adults who enjoy literary fiction, fairy tales,and romance.
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LibraryThing member HippieLunatic
Such a beautiful exploration of story telling, love, and dedication.
Joshua's path is at times dark and lonely, at times bright and fulfilling. The effect on the narrator - of learning about it, writing it, accepting it as a possible truth - though, that is the key to this novel for me.
Joshua's path is at times dark and lonely, at times bright and fulfilling. The effect on the narrator - of learning about it, writing it, accepting it as a possible truth - though, that is the key to this novel for me.
Awards
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Fiction — 2018)
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2017)
The White Ravens (2015)
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Translated YA Book Prize (Shortlist — 2020)
Prix Albertine Jeunesse (Shortlist — 2019)
Language
Original language
French
Physical description
368 p.; 8.56 inches
ISBN
0763691267 / 9780763691264