Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Gallery / Saga Press (2021), 432 pages
Description
"The toymaker who wants to create the perfect wife; the princess whose heart is won by words, not actions; the tiny dog whose confidence far outweighs his size; and the sinister Lacewing King who rules over the Silken Folk. These are just a few of the weird and wonderful creatures who populate Joanne Harris's first collection of fairy tales"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member jfe16
Review of eBook
A collection of short fable-like stories in two books ["Long Ago" and "Far Away"], beginning with the dreamflower and loosely held together by the continuing story of the Lacewing King and the Silken Folk who serve as the guardians of the honeycomb and were the first to bring the
Several characters appear regularly throughout the telling of the tales: The Honeycomb Queen, the Clockwork Princess, the Spider Queen, the Barefoot Princess, the Girl with the Clockwork Tiger, the Harlequin . . . all play a role in the stories that, as they are told, come full circle and remind the reader that there is a power in stories, especially those that the bees used to tell, the tales of long ago and far away.
Ethereal and transcendent, the stories [some dark, some hope-filled, all imaginative], are exquisitely illustrated and are sure to remain with readers long after the final page has been turned.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Gallery Books Gallery/Saga Press and NetGalley
#Honeycomb #NetGalley
A collection of short fable-like stories in two books ["Long Ago" and "Far Away"], beginning with the dreamflower and loosely held together by the continuing story of the Lacewing King and the Silken Folk who serve as the guardians of the honeycomb and were the first to bring the
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nectar of Dream into the Worlds. But, though they are everywhere, the Silken Folk, sometimes called the Faërie, are invisible to the Sightless Folk. Several characters appear regularly throughout the telling of the tales: The Honeycomb Queen, the Clockwork Princess, the Spider Queen, the Barefoot Princess, the Girl with the Clockwork Tiger, the Harlequin . . . all play a role in the stories that, as they are told, come full circle and remind the reader that there is a power in stories, especially those that the bees used to tell, the tales of long ago and far away.
Ethereal and transcendent, the stories [some dark, some hope-filled, all imaginative], are exquisitely illustrated and are sure to remain with readers long after the final page has been turned.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Gallery Books Gallery/Saga Press and NetGalley
#Honeycomb #NetGalley
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LibraryThing member jnmegan
Joanne Harris (author of Chocolat), offers a creation myth frame around a compilation of updated morality tales and fables in her upcoming release, Honeycomb. The beautiful and emotional illustrations are by renowned artist Charles Vess. Split into two “Books,” the collection presents a world
Thanks to the author, Saga Press (Simon & Schuster) and Edelweiss for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.
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of insect-like fairies that is parallel, but invisible, to the human one. Book One, “Long Ago,” describes the formation of the insect universe and its various tribes. Most of the action in the chapters centers around the development arc of the main hero, The Lacewing King. In a nod to Ulysses, the Lacewing King embarks on a long journey of self-discovery and eventual redemption and reconciliation. His path intersects with a cast of characters that mirror the villains and heroes of traditional lore (but in insect form). There are rivalries and games of dominance, feats of endurance and bravery, and challenges to the King’s fatal flaw of hubris. Death and Dishonesty are incorporated as the main adversaries in the King’s quest, but it is his own inability for compassion that continually defeats him. The second book (“Far Away”) continues the Lacewing King’s journey after a particularly grueling battle. Having ceded his strength and power, he needs redemption and forgiveness by others to complete his journey home. Themes include balancing power with empathy, what it means to be able to “see” truth, the genuine versus the fabricated/manipulated, self-sacrifice and the value of artistic creation. The ability of stories to communicate across worlds is embodied by the bees, who act as the collective conscience and chorus buzzing throughout the book. With Honeycomb, Joanne Harris alludes to numerous motifs that have been integral to all stories for centuries: ideas culled from international sources of mythology, fables, folklore and parables. While Harris’ main storyline provides cohesion, it is the smaller asides and micro tales interspersed throughout that provide the most delight. Honeycomb will appeal to folklorists and fantasy fiction lovers, and would be a good choice for anyone looking for a new interpretation of the universal tales that continue to course through our shared language today.Thanks to the author, Saga Press (Simon & Schuster) and Edelweiss for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an impartial review.
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LibraryThing member WhiskeyintheJar
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“Up above and down below, Down below and up above, The world’s a honeycomb, my love, The world’s a honeycomb.”
Honeycomb was a collection of myths,
The Lacewing King went on his way without even a second thought for the two strangers he had saved, but the Clockwork Princess did not forget. One day, she told herself, she would repay her debt to him.
Full of his power, the Lacewing King starts off bold, careless, and brash and decides to steal the Spider Queen's all seeing crown. He succeeds but the Spider Queen vows revenge and we have her, along with the dangerous Harlequin, as the villains of the first half, while another protagonist, the Lacewing King's granddaughter the Barefoot Princess, has the beginnings of her story told and it starts to intertwine with her father's. The second half and book two has the Spider Queen getting some of her revenge and the addition of another villain, the Hallowe'en King, coming into the story and the Barefoot Princess and her journeys take over as she tries to find and save her father the Lacewing King.
Banished by the Spider Queen, he was dragged through the space between the Worlds into a different place and time; into a different ocean.
As fairytales are won't to to do, this was full of legends and myths that try and teach a lesson, whether it be the impatience and ego of youth or how to treat your fellow human beings and live in harmony with nature. There were a few well known tales and couple that added some modern freshness but they always lead back to the main thread of the Lacewing King and his granddaughter. I had initially expected detailed drawings but they were more sketched shadows, probably to keep the allure of an otherworldly atmosphere and let your own imagination play a part. My favorite illustration and the most clear was of the Hallowe'en King, it helped to add to his menacing tone and the creepy atmosphere of Hel. The ending tale of the Lacewing King was neither happy nor sad, but fitting in completeness feel of the journey he went on. This would be a great bedtime book to read at a slower pace and take in each short story and the lessons to be learned as you journeyed with the Lacewing King through the Nine Worlds.
“Up above and down below, Down below and up above, The world’s a honeycomb, my love, The world’s a honeycomb.”
Honeycomb was a collection of myths,
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legends, and folktales that begin with the myth of the bees and how drinking from the dreamflower and carrying it into the Nine Worlds creates their Honeycomb Queen, the first of the Silken Folk or what is more commonly known, the Fae. From this origin, the book is laid out in very short stories, a couple pages, and divided into two sections. The first book welcomes readers into the world and introduces the Lacewing King, the son of the Honeycomb Queen. From a baby to an adult, his stories and journeys create the backbone of the book. Some the shorter stories take place in the world but don't directly relate to the Lacewing King's journey and some introduce characters that eventually become intertwined with his story.The Lacewing King went on his way without even a second thought for the two strangers he had saved, but the Clockwork Princess did not forget. One day, she told herself, she would repay her debt to him.
Full of his power, the Lacewing King starts off bold, careless, and brash and decides to steal the Spider Queen's all seeing crown. He succeeds but the Spider Queen vows revenge and we have her, along with the dangerous Harlequin, as the villains of the first half, while another protagonist, the Lacewing King's granddaughter the Barefoot Princess, has the beginnings of her story told and it starts to intertwine with her father's. The second half and book two has the Spider Queen getting some of her revenge and the addition of another villain, the Hallowe'en King, coming into the story and the Barefoot Princess and her journeys take over as she tries to find and save her father the Lacewing King.
Banished by the Spider Queen, he was dragged through the space between the Worlds into a different place and time; into a different ocean.
As fairytales are won't to to do, this was full of legends and myths that try and teach a lesson, whether it be the impatience and ego of youth or how to treat your fellow human beings and live in harmony with nature. There were a few well known tales and couple that added some modern freshness but they always lead back to the main thread of the Lacewing King and his granddaughter. I had initially expected detailed drawings but they were more sketched shadows, probably to keep the allure of an otherworldly atmosphere and let your own imagination play a part. My favorite illustration and the most clear was of the Hallowe'en King, it helped to add to his menacing tone and the creepy atmosphere of Hel. The ending tale of the Lacewing King was neither happy nor sad, but fitting in completeness feel of the journey he went on. This would be a great bedtime book to read at a slower pace and take in each short story and the lessons to be learned as you journeyed with the Lacewing King through the Nine Worlds.
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LibraryThing member witchyrichy
Honeycomb by Joanne M. Harris was a collaboration with one of my favorite artists, Charles Vess who lives in southwest Virginia. The fairy tales are connected, all set in a fantastical world where the Lacewing King rules. It is an often dark world where nothing is what is seems or works out the way
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it should. Harris and Vess have created an alien yet familiar place and I was captivated. I had to buy the paper version as Vess's work especially doesn't stand out as well in ebook version. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kiaya40
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Gallery Books, Gallery/Saga Press for letting me read and review this interesting and uniquely imaginative collection of fairy tales and folklore with lovely illustrations. This is a book that's one story thread that can be followed through the book with it branching
The main story is about the Lacewing King that rules over the Silken Folk and also goes into stories about other characters that all interact with the Lacewing King and his story or live in the same world. The other tales woven into the story of the Lacewing King are intriguing as well like the story of the Spider Queen, the Harlequin, the Clockwork Princess, the Barefoot Princess, and the toymaker who wants to make the perfect wife to name a few. This is a fun, entertaining collection of dark fairy tales that can be a bit morbid at times, but also reading these tales transported me to this fantasy world and reminded me of the story of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern.
If you like the Grimm fairytales and dark tales as well as The Starless Sea, then you'll enjoy this collection of stories as well.
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off to other tales along the way to give more background stories to each character and everything else.The main story is about the Lacewing King that rules over the Silken Folk and also goes into stories about other characters that all interact with the Lacewing King and his story or live in the same world. The other tales woven into the story of the Lacewing King are intriguing as well like the story of the Spider Queen, the Harlequin, the Clockwork Princess, the Barefoot Princess, and the toymaker who wants to make the perfect wife to name a few. This is a fun, entertaining collection of dark fairy tales that can be a bit morbid at times, but also reading these tales transported me to this fantasy world and reminded me of the story of The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern.
If you like the Grimm fairytales and dark tales as well as The Starless Sea, then you'll enjoy this collection of stories as well.
Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2021-05-25
Physical description
432 p.; 8.38 inches
ISBN
1534433058 / 9781534433052