Boy, Snow, Bird in Bookmarks Subscribers

Mar 12, 2015 Antonia rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2015

A fascinating read in many ways and undeniably quite an accomplishment 鈥� especially for one so young. The author had published 5 novels by age 29. That's more than enough to impress me.

Many readers seem disappointed to find that it's not exactly a retelling of the Snow White story. I鈥檓 not sure why. It鈥檚 what you might call a fractured fairy tale. The author makes so much use of elements of the story that it鈥檚 almost over the top 鈥� mirrors, stepmother, the child Snow who鈥檚 described as looking p A fascinating read in many ways and undeniably quite an accomplishment 鈥� especially for one so young. The author had published 5 novels by age 29. That's more than enough to impress me.

Many readers seem disappointed to find that it's not exactly a retelling of the Snow White story. I鈥檓 not sure why. It鈥檚 what you might call a fractured fairy tale. The author makes so much use of elements of the story that it鈥檚 almost over the top 鈥� mirrors, stepmother, the child Snow who鈥檚 described as looking pretty much like a Snow White caricature (the skin, the hair, the lips); thank goodness no dwarfs 鈥� but she twists them in such a way as to tell her own story. And it鈥檚 at times astonishing: a mashup of the mythic and modern in the service of an exploration of race, ethnicity, and identity. A story of reflections, reversals, transformations, and redemption that any literature lover should appreciate. Really quite sophisticated and amazing in many ways.

Despite this, I didn鈥檛 always enjoy reading it. The style, for which Oyeyemi is highly praised, often annoyed me. Too jarring or too trite or too cute. And so much (besides the magical bits) seemed unrealistic (for starters, that the main character, 20 years old and the daughter of a rat catcher, however precocious, fit so readily into the educated/artsy (wealthy?) crowd at Flax Hill). I never felt very invested in the story or cared much about its characters鈥� fates. I鈥檒l skip the specifics, due to possible spoilers, but only wish there鈥檇 been more development of some key relationships. There was a point, about halfway through, when I closed the book, intending to abandon it. A short time later, I picked it up again and was pulled into the story. In fact, I had a hard time putting it down by the last quarter of the book. And yet. . . The twist at the end seemed to me unnecessary, gratuitous. There was no foreshadowing. It just came out of nowhere and was pretty unconnected to the rest of the story. And again, just not believable. In the end, I can say I liked the book (or a lot about it), but less than I鈥檇 expected. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2014 Laurie rated it liked it

Magical realism and intriguing characters move the underlying themes of race, "others", and self-perception.

"Mirrors behave differently depending on how you treat them. Treating them like clocks (as almost everybody seems to) makes them behave like clocks, but treating them as doors -- "
Pg 207 -- favorite quote read this summer, I think

"People don't make too much money around here...if you've got someone within ten minute's walk who can make you laugh and someone else within a five-minute walk w ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 23, 2014 Amy rated it liked it

Shelves: _own-ebook, fiction, read-in-2014

I really wanted to love this book but, in the end, I just didn't. It's a good book but it didn't take me where I was hoping to go. I was a bit disappointed in the overall novel. There were great things about it but there were also not so great things about it. I struggled between a 2 and 3 star rating but ultimately went with 3 because it was a unique concept and interesting premise. I just wish it had been executed a bit more evenly. ...more

Like · see review

Mar 13, 2014 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: gloomy, fractured-fairytales, historical-fiction, gifted

This book makes me want to find everything else by this author and read it immediately. The author uses first person as it is meant to be used and the voices of her narrators are authentic. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Like · see review

Mar 10, 2014 Joye rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy

I was looking forward to reading this book, however the story really did not capture my attention. I also did not enjoy her writing style, I found the book a bit boring.

Like · see review