A Knot in the Grain, by Robin McKinley
A Knot in the Grain and Other Stories
by Robin McKinley
192 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/YA
A small collection of five McKinley short stories. All are strongly YA with young protagonists, life lessons, and plain prose; but the protagonists are compelling, the plots are suspenseful, and the prose is easily unobstrusive. McKinley writes with teens in mind without shying away from risks--(implied) premarital sex, a twist on the traditional Happily Ever After, girl proposing marriage to boy, and symbolism throughout are presented as a matter of fact.
My favorite story was "The Stagman," which deals with arranged marriage, different kinds of love, and quiet feminism. The last (and title) story, "A Knot in the Grain," is the only one that didn't work for me. It's set in the modern world and attempts a magic-realism mood but doesn't quite succeed. The result is a typical plotline (girl moves to new town, reminisces about her old friends) with vague hinting at magic. McKinley should stick to fantasy, which she excels at.
Recommended for fantasy readers of all ages, excepting the last story.
by Robin McKinley
192 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/YA
A small collection of five McKinley short stories. All are strongly YA with young protagonists, life lessons, and plain prose; but the protagonists are compelling, the plots are suspenseful, and the prose is easily unobstrusive. McKinley writes with teens in mind without shying away from risks--(implied) premarital sex, a twist on the traditional Happily Ever After, girl proposing marriage to boy, and symbolism throughout are presented as a matter of fact.
My favorite story was "The Stagman," which deals with arranged marriage, different kinds of love, and quiet feminism. The last (and title) story, "A Knot in the Grain," is the only one that didn't work for me. It's set in the modern world and attempts a magic-realism mood but doesn't quite succeed. The result is a typical plotline (girl moves to new town, reminisces about her old friends) with vague hinting at magic. McKinley should stick to fantasy, which she excels at.
Recommended for fantasy readers of all ages, excepting the last story.