Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Tor Books (1989), Edition: First Edition
Description
Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: Snow White and Rose Red live on the edge of the forest that conceals the elusive border of Faerie. They know enough about Faerie lands and mortal magic to be concerned when they find two human sorcerers setting spells near the border. And when the kindly, intelligent black bear wanders into their cottage some months later, they realize the connection between his plight and the sorcery they saw in the forest. This romantic version of the classic fairy tale features an updated introduction by its editor, Terri Windling..
User reviews
LibraryThing member threadnsong
Still holds up after all this time. It is a re-read for me, having bought it when it first came out and devouring it as a great new way to enjoy fairy tales as an adult.
Set in Elizabethan England, that time-between-time of early years and modern years, and how the Land of Fae was also in that
The dialogue is written in Elizabethan English and this time through reading it, it took a while to get used to before it began to flow for me. But Wrede has used her friends and fellow writers to have a sense of authentic to it, and as the action fits in better with an older English the world becomes more realistic. Also good in this version is the re-telling of the Grimm's tale as a chapter heading for each chapter. We get to see how Wrede has transformed the dwarf less as a comical character, and expanded the Land of Faerie to have a stronger role. There are several members of this Kingdom who are malicious against the world of mortals, rather than the usual amoral or contemptuous that is often portrayed; kudos for expanding the emotions of this often emotionless land.
And yes, the story has unexpected twists that really make one wonder if it will fit the story of the Brothers Grimm or if Wrede is going to go "there" with the story. The ending is worth it and so is the story.
Set in Elizabethan England, that time-between-time of early years and modern years, and how the Land of Fae was also in that
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in-between state, this book works on several levels. First is the story of the Widow Arden and her life as an herbalist living in a time when "witch" and "herbalist" were too often synonymous. Then there is the story of the Queen of Faerie and her two sons, Hugh and John, who walk between the worlds as they are also half-mortal. Next there is the daily life in the town of Mortlak and its two learned men who also have an interest in ceremonial and wizard-inspired magic. Finally is the well-known tale of two sisters and the bear and his enchantment.The dialogue is written in Elizabethan English and this time through reading it, it took a while to get used to before it began to flow for me. But Wrede has used her friends and fellow writers to have a sense of authentic to it, and as the action fits in better with an older English the world becomes more realistic. Also good in this version is the re-telling of the Grimm's tale as a chapter heading for each chapter. We get to see how Wrede has transformed the dwarf less as a comical character, and expanded the Land of Faerie to have a stronger role. There are several members of this Kingdom who are malicious against the world of mortals, rather than the usual amoral or contemptuous that is often portrayed; kudos for expanding the emotions of this often emotionless land.
And yes, the story has unexpected twists that really make one wonder if it will fit the story of the Brothers Grimm or if Wrede is going to go "there" with the story. The ending is worth it and so is the story.
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LibraryThing member the1butterfly
Patricia C. Wrede is so talented! This is a favorite fairy tale of mine, and she told the tale in a way that made sense. It would have been an awesome story weaving together the land of faery, Elizabethan England, a bit of romance, and a lot of magic, even without the fairy tale background. The
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plot was interesting, the pieces came together nicely, and the characters were interesting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Krumbs
This is now officially my least favorite of her books. Normally I'm completely immersed in the world created by this author, but I just couldn't get into this one. I don't think it was only the language; it's also that the story itself isn't meant to be this long. It's a rather short fairy tale
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I've been stumbling a little with this book. Most of it is written as straight narrative in standard language, but the speech is all thee, and thou, and thine. I'm having trouble reconciling the two. Still moving forward, but I did lose enthusiasm.
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that's been stretched out about 100 pages too long. I'm sad about this, but it just means I need to read her Enchanted Forest Chronicles again to get over my disappointment!_____________________
I've been stumbling a little with this book. Most of it is written as straight narrative in standard language, but the speech is all thee, and thou, and thine. I'm having trouble reconciling the two. Still moving forward, but I did lose enthusiasm.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jen.e.moore
For some reason when I first bought this book in, maybe, the sixth grade my mother wouldn't let me read it right away. I'm halfway through it again and I have no idea why; maybe there's sex in the end. I can't recall.
I appear to be on a Faerie kick lately, though; I blame Elizabeth Bear. This book
I appear to be on a Faerie kick lately, though; I blame Elizabeth Bear. This book
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is so hugely a precursor to her Ink & Steel it isn't even funny. Show Less
LibraryThing member wrightja2000
Not my favorite. The old English-style language was distracting and the story seemed to drag with lots of telling instead of showing. I read this decades ago but forgot until halfway through the book.
LibraryThing member SandyAMcPherson
An amazing retelling of The Grimm Brothers' fairy tale. Beautifully-crafted, great characterizations and a twisty ending which caught me unawares.
LibraryThing member threadnsong
The first in the modern Fantasy series, and one I remember to this day. The story is set in Elizabethan England, with the widow and her two daughters, the bear, and the evil sorcery that permeates this story. I was especially impressed that Wrede was able to keep Elizabethan English speech going
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throughout this book and the descriptions of the landscape and the depth of the characters. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Minnesota Book Awards (Finalist — 1989)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1989
Physical description
6.45 inches
ISBN
0312931808 / 9780312931803