#98 Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia C. Wrede
The Widow Arden lives near the city of Mortlak with her two daughters: the polite and reserved Blanche, and the bold Rosamund. Their 
cottage sits near the border that separates the human world from the land of Faerie. One snowy day, someone knocks on their door. When they open it, they are shocked to find a large bear. They soon discover that the bear is not really a bear, but a faerie prince cursed by human magic. With the help of the prince's brother, the two sisters and mother try to find a way to break the magic spell. Unfortunately, magic is scorned as witchcraft in Mortlak. The three must be careful not to be discovered, or the results could be dire.
I've recently become fascinated by the fairy tale, "Snow White and Rose Red," after reading Margo Lanagan's Tender Morsels. Patricia C Wrede's Snow White and Rose Red is another retelling of the classic tale, although it takes the story in a very different direction. Set in Elizabethan England, Snow White and Rose Red draws it's inspiration not only from the fairy tale itself, but also from the ballad Thomas the Rhymer, and real historical figures such as John Dee and Edward “Ned” Kelley. The dialogue is written in a style common to that time period, complete with “Thees” and “Thous.” This took a little time getting used to, but it was easy to understand if I read a little slower than usual.
Although I didn't have the same level of emotional connection that I did with Tender Morsels, I found Snow White and Rose Red to be a pleasant, polite little book with quite a lot of story inside. Beyond the story of the two sisters, there is the parallel story of the two brothers, Hugh, who is turned into a bear, and his brother John, both half-faerie princes who take to their human blood very differently. There is a third storyline involving John Dee and Ned Kelley, who play the role of the dwarf from the original tale, a fourth storyline involving three wicked faerie creatures, and a fifth storyline involving a troublesome maid named Joan, as well as some small sections about the witch hunter. That can be a bit overwhelming at times. I loved the faerie elements of this story. I also found it to be incredibly romantic, despite the fact that there is no physical contact between each party. Every little look and moment seems to hold more weight as a result. I also enjoyed the little forward written by Terri Windling.
Snow White and Rose Red is a sweet fairy tale retelling, filled with magic and romance. I'd recommend it to anyone who's a fan of the fairytale for which it's named, or to anyone who'd like to learn more of the "Snow White and Rose Red" story.
Rating: four stars
Length: 273 pages
Source: Lewiston Public Library
Similar Books: Tender Morsels by Margon Lanagan ( my review), is another retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red." This book also reminded me of Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier ( my review), and the works of Patricia McKillip (read my review of Alphabet of Thorn)
Other books I've read by this author: Dealing with Dragons. Also, Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, and The Grand Tour or The Purloined Coronation Regalia, which were both written with Caroline Stevermer
Yikes! Only two books left until I meet my goal for the year!!
xposted to bookish and temporaryworlds
cottage sits near the border that separates the human world from the land of Faerie. One snowy day, someone knocks on their door. When they open it, they are shocked to find a large bear. They soon discover that the bear is not really a bear, but a faerie prince cursed by human magic. With the help of the prince's brother, the two sisters and mother try to find a way to break the magic spell. Unfortunately, magic is scorned as witchcraft in Mortlak. The three must be careful not to be discovered, or the results could be dire.
I've recently become fascinated by the fairy tale, "Snow White and Rose Red," after reading Margo Lanagan's Tender Morsels. Patricia C Wrede's Snow White and Rose Red is another retelling of the classic tale, although it takes the story in a very different direction. Set in Elizabethan England, Snow White and Rose Red draws it's inspiration not only from the fairy tale itself, but also from the ballad Thomas the Rhymer, and real historical figures such as John Dee and Edward “Ned” Kelley. The dialogue is written in a style common to that time period, complete with “Thees” and “Thous.” This took a little time getting used to, but it was easy to understand if I read a little slower than usual.
Although I didn't have the same level of emotional connection that I did with Tender Morsels, I found Snow White and Rose Red to be a pleasant, polite little book with quite a lot of story inside. Beyond the story of the two sisters, there is the parallel story of the two brothers, Hugh, who is turned into a bear, and his brother John, both half-faerie princes who take to their human blood very differently. There is a third storyline involving John Dee and Ned Kelley, who play the role of the dwarf from the original tale, a fourth storyline involving three wicked faerie creatures, and a fifth storyline involving a troublesome maid named Joan, as well as some small sections about the witch hunter. That can be a bit overwhelming at times. I loved the faerie elements of this story. I also found it to be incredibly romantic, despite the fact that there is no physical contact between each party. Every little look and moment seems to hold more weight as a result. I also enjoyed the little forward written by Terri Windling.
Snow White and Rose Red is a sweet fairy tale retelling, filled with magic and romance. I'd recommend it to anyone who's a fan of the fairytale for which it's named, or to anyone who'd like to learn more of the "Snow White and Rose Red" story.
Rating: four stars
Length: 273 pages
Source: Lewiston Public Library
Similar Books: Tender Morsels by Margon Lanagan ( my review), is another retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red." This book also reminded me of Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier ( my review), and the works of Patricia McKillip (read my review of Alphabet of Thorn)
Other books I've read by this author: Dealing with Dragons. Also, Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, and The Grand Tour or The Purloined Coronation Regalia, which were both written with Caroline Stevermer
Yikes! Only two books left until I meet my goal for the year!!
xposted to bookish and temporaryworlds