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The theme Portal/ Gateway Stories won for our March 15-May 14 Group Read!
Now it is time to nominate books!
We always read 3 books,; a longer original tale or a collection of shorter tales, a young adult novel and and adult novel.
Each person can nominate 3 books, one in each category.
The books should obviously match the theme, meaning they are either retellings of fairy/folk tales or myths involving portals/gateways, or be inspired by or contain several fairy/folk takes or myths.
It's going to be fun to find books to match this theme!
This thread will stay open one week.
The Polls will go up March 7.

Wouldn't you know, I wasn't thinking and read the book I was thinking of for this category. Now I'm going to have to go through Mt. TBR and find something else...

Melanti wrote: "Wouldn't you know, I wasn't thinking and read the book I was thinking of for this category. Now I'm going to have to go through Mt. TBR and find something else..."

What was it?

The Unicorn Sonata by Peter S. Beagle. Pretty standard '90s portal fantasy. Gorgeous illustrations, but the book itself was just average.

(Speaking of, I really ought to catch up on reviews and such before I forget what I wanted to say.)

And I started The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home but I'm sure everyone in this group that likes Valente has already read the first one.

I've been looking into original myths from various cultures.
Norse mythology has Bifrost, also known as Rainbow Bridge leading to portal leading to Midgard.
The most known among fantasy readers is probably Irish mythology, the Tuatha de Danann (Children of the Goddess Danu) were driven underground by the Milesians, they became the known as the Sídhe or Fae. A common portal to Fairy is a ring of mushrooms.
I like to know more from other cultures! Supposedly the 'Fauna of Mirrors,' is a Chinese myth which describes a different world lying beyond mirrors

There's "Thomas the Rhymer" of course, where he's led to Fairyland.

Dante's Divine Comedy, where he travels through Heaven & Hell.

Isn't there a Central American creation myth that involves the founders coming from another world? And one in the Southwestern US that involves an underground world?

YA: Half World by Hiromi Goto

Adult: An Accident of Stars by Foz Meadows

Melanti wrote: "And I started The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home but I'm sure everyone in this group that likes Valente has already read the first one."

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making was actually the first one I was going to nominate, but then I figured everyone would've already read it. Same with Kindred.

Leah wrote: "then I figured everyone would've already read it. "
Okay, almost everyone! It doesn't look like Chris has read it either. But you should give it a try.

Leah wrote: "Same with Kindred. ..."

It's been a while since I read it, but I don't believe Kindred has any folklore/myth/fairy tale elements in it.

Melanti wrote: "It's been a while since I read it, but I don't believe Kindred has any folklore/myth/fairy tale elements in it. "

I'm glad I didn't nominate it then. :)

Does the descent to the underwold count in? And should the whole plot revolve around travelling via portal?

There is quite a lot of descending to the underworld in Sumerian mythology: Ereshkigal and Nergal, Descent of Inanna. Olga Tokarczuk retold the Inanna's story. To this day it remains untranslated, weird, as most of her works tend to be available in English. Can't help with titles, I read them mostly online

Then you get the falling out of Izanami and Izanagi from japanese mythology. The repercussions of this myth are retold by Noriko Ogiwara in Dragon Sword and Wind Child. Problem? Journey to the underwold is just small portion of the book.

There is also the witcher saga by Sapkowski... but the journey through the portals appears much, much later than it would feel right to recommend

Asaria wrote: "There is quite a lot of descending to the underworld in Sumerian mythology: Ereshkigal and Nergal, Descent of Inanna. Olga Tokarczuk retold the Inanna's story..."

Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer by Diane Wolkstein. Wolkstein worked with Samuel Noah Kramer who translated it. It includes Inanna's descent into hell for three days until Enki sends the kurgarra and galatur to rescue her.

Okay, for adult I'm going to nominate: Moonwise by Greer Gilman. Another Mythopoeic nominee

Asaria wrote: "Does the descent to the underwold count in? And should the whole plot revolve around travelling via portal?..."

Usually, yes I'd think descending to the underworld would count.

We try to get books that fit the theme as much as possible - especially for a theme like this where it can be a major part of the plot. Other themes are harder to find and might end up being a smaller part of the plot.

Tamara wrote: "Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer by Diane Wolkstein. Wolkstein worked with Samuel Noah Kramer who translated it. It includes Inanna's descent into hell for three days until Enki sends the kurgarra and galatur to rescue her. "

Thanks for recommendation, Tamara.

Melanti wrote: "We try to get books that fit the theme as much as possible - especially for a theme like this where it can be a major part of the plot. Other themes are harder to find and might end up being a smaller part of the plot. "

I get it.

Tamara wrote: " Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer by Diane Wolkstein. Wolkstein worked with Samuel Noah Kramer who translated it. It includes Inanna's descent into hell for three days until Enki sends the kurgarra and galatur to rescue her. .."


I was hoping you'd chime in Tamara! Please feel free to make more suggestions and or nominations!

Could Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer count as original tale?

I think Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer could count as an original tale. But it is in the form of a long poem, so I'm not sure if that works for you.

Another option is Gilgamesh: A New English Version. I recommend the translation by Stephen Mitchell. Gilgamesh goes on a journey after the death of Enkidu. He goes through a couple of different "gateways" before he encounters Utnapishtim who tells him the story of the flood.

My suggestions all come from mythology. I can't think of any from fairy tales.

Tamara wrote: "My suggestions all come from mythology. I can't think of any from fairy tales. "
That is great Tamara! It's a good compliment to many of us who know more about fairy tales

Anthology: Welcome to Bordertown

YA: Down Among the Sticks and Bones or Summer in Orcus

Adult: Archivist Wasp - literally so weird, but really awesome

YA: The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Frances Long

Adult: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

For the YA category, how about a classic: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?

When this was nominated Alice in Wonderland was given as an example so I'm surprised to see no Alice re-tellings nominated.
So I will nominate Mad Hatters and March Hares, an anthology edited by Ellen Datlow.

That would be in the adult category.

Shomeret wrote: "When this was nominated Alice in Wonderland was given as an example so I'm surprised to see no Alice re-tellings nominated.
So I will nominate Mad Hatters and March Hares, an antho..."

Ooo, that one looks good!

It's funny you should mention Alice retellings. I had on my list of potential YA nominations Splintered by A.G. Howard, but I've read so many I figured others would also be nominating those type of books, so I went with something else. Plus, I just finished a new release that retells (or heavily inspired by) Alice with mashups of fairy tales and fantasy stories - The Hazel Wood - a real pageturner.

Vaelkyrja wrote: "Anthology: Welcome to Bordertown ..."

I'm sorry Vaelkyrja. There's no dedicated "Anthology" category.

There's original tale/collection of original tales - but an anthology of modern retellings needs to be nominated in either the adult or YA categories.

Leah wrote: "Plus, I just finished a new release that retells (or heavily inspired by) Alice with mashups of fairy tales and fantasy stories - The Hazel Wood - a real pageturner. "

Does The Hazel Wood have a portal like Alice in Wonderland? If so, I'll nominate it. I'm already in line for it at the library.

Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ has a list called Doors,Portals Gates
/list/show/3...
In any case, there are lots of good novels to choose from!
There have only been suggestions for original tales, but I don't think anyone officially nominated one. Or did I miss it?

Tamara, are you nominating Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer? If you are I'll second it!

How about other suggestions? Thomas the Rhymer, Dante's Divine Comedy and Alice in Wonderland have been mentioned, but does anyone want to nominate any of them or something else?

Lila wrote: "Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ has a list called Doors,Portals Gates
/list/show/3...
In any case, there are lots of good novels to choose from!
There have only been suggest..."

Yes, I'll nominate Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer for original tale.

I'll nominate Alice's Adventures in Wonderland if no one else does. Would that be original? Adult? YA?

Lila wrote: "Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ has a list called Doors,Portals Gates
/list/show/3...
In any case, there are lots of good novels to choose from!
There have only been suggest..."

Wasn't nominating Dante. I'm going to ry to find something better to nominate.

Margaret wrote: "I'll nominate Alice's Adventures in Wonderland if no one else does. Would that be original? Adult? YA?"

I think would count as an original. A few years ago there was a discussion about whether or not Alice in Wonderland would be considered a fairy tale or not /topic/show/... But regardless it's definitely a fairytale inspired original tale!

Then I will nominate it as original. I've never read it!

Melanti wrote: "Vaelkyrja wrote: "Anthology: Welcome to Bordertown ..."

I'm sorry Vaelkyrja. There's no dedicated "Anthology" category.

There's original tale/collection of original tales - but an ..."

Vaelkyrja wrote: "Anthology: Welcome to Bordertown

YA: Down Among the Sticks and Bones or Summer in Orcus

Adult: Archivist Wasp - literally so weird, ..."


Also each person can only nominate one book for each category.
Vaelkyrja, would you like to nominate
Welcome to Bordertown, Down Among the Sticks and Bones or Summer in Orcus?


Actually everything looks good and for this reason I have been debating if I even want to nominate something. Finally I just can't resist nominating Elfland for my adult book because portals play such an important part! I read it some years ago, but would read it again if it wins.
My YA nomination will be one of the ones Vaelkyrja nominated.
For original tale I'm seconding Tamara's nomination Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer

Margaret wrote: "Does The Hazel Wood have a portal like Alice in Wonderland? If so, I'll nominate it. I'm already in line for it at the library."

I don't want to say what the portal is, because that kinda ruins the fun of discovery, but there definitely is a portal/gateway. :D

Leah wrote: "I don't want to say what the portal is, because that kinda ruins the fun of discovery, but there definitely is a portal/gateway. :D
"

That explains why none of the reviews I read mentioned it!

Then for YA, I nominate The Hazel Wood.

This is what we have up to now:

Young Adult:
The Neverending Story
Half World
The Treachery of Beautiful Things
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
The Hazel Wood
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis
Down Among the Sticks and Bones

Waiting for confirmation for:
Summer in Orcus
or
Welcome to Bordertown

Adult:
An Accident of Stars
Neverwhere
Moonwise
Stardust
Mad Hatters and March Hares
Archivist Wasp
Elfland

Original
Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Diné Bahane': The Navajo Creation Story
Gilgamesh: A New English Version

Please confirm everyone who made a nomination and let me know if I left out anything!

I'll nominate Down Among the Sticks and Bones. Looks interesting.

Didn't we already have a group read of The King of Elfland's Daughter?

Margaret wrote: "Didn't we already have a group read of The King of Elfland's Daughter?"

Yeah. Only about 2 years ago, I think?

I think Lila meant Elfland.

As good as Inanna sounds, we need more nominations for the original tales.

I'm going to nominate Diné Bahane': The Navajo Creation Story

Short explanation is that in the Navajo mythology, this world is actually the fourth world, so I'm assuming they had to move to alternate worlds 3 times.

Margaret wrote: "Didn't we already have a group read of The King of Elfland's Daughter?"

Melanti wrote: "
I think Lila meant Elfland."

Yes, I am nominating Elfland by Freda Warrington which was written in 2009 and not nominating The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany which was our group read a few years ago.

Melanti wrote: "As good as Inanna sounds, we need more nominations for the original tales.

I'm going to nominate Diné Bahane': The Navajo Creation Story

Short explanation is that in the Navajo myt..."

Looks perfect for the theme!

I think my trouble with finding a nomination for Original is what exactly that means. Is it an original merely because it's old? A classic? Classified as myth or legend? Considered the first of its kind?

Leah wrote: "I think my trouble with finding a nomination for Original is what exactly that means. Is it an original merely because it's old? A classic? Classified as myth or legend? Considered the first of its..."

Well, basically, a fairy tale/folk tale/myth or a small collection of them, as opposed to a modern retelling or modern book based on the tales/genre/tropes, etc.

We might also let things slip in here if they're significant enough works that others have started doing retellings of these tales. (Such as the Alice nomination.)

Melanti wrote: "We might also let things slip in here if they're significant enough works that others have started doing retellings of these tales. (Such as the Alice nomination.)"

Thanks for the clarification! I'll nominate Tamara's other suggestion, Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

Margaret wrote: "Leah wrote: 'I don't want to say what the portal is... but there definitely is a portal/gateway.'

That explains why none of the reviews I read mentioned it!"

There are many references to fairy tales/ fantasy books - direct and allusions - in The Hazel Wood that, from what I've read in reviews, people are missing the finer details. But on the other hand, portals/ gateways have become so common in fantasy, I think casual readers slide right through without realizing they used one. For instance, if you asked a casual reader about portals/ gateways in Harry Potter, I wonder how many would reply with Platform 9 3/4?

(Sorry, I know that is somewhat off topic.)

Is there still time to nominate? If so, I'll add:

YA: The Last Timekeepers and the arch of Atlantis

Adult: N/A

Original: I thought it'd be interesting to read the tale of "Mulian" or "Mulian Rescues his mother", but I cannot find a full translation. Only summaries. If anyone else can find a translation I'd like to add it to the nominations.

Rachel wrote: "Is there still time to nominate? If so, I'll add:

YA: The Last Timekeepers and the arch of Atlantis

Adult: N/A

Original: I thought it'd be interesting to read the tale of "Mulian" or "Mulian Re..."

No it's not too late! I will add The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis to the list!

I have added all the new suggestions everyone!

Lila wrote: "I have added all the new suggestions everyone!"

Lila, just a heads up, your nomination is still showing up under Adult as The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany instead of Elfland by Freda Warrington.

And I believe Katy went ahead and nominated Down Among the Sticks and Bones for YA. See here.

Leah wrote: "Lila wrote: "I have added all the new suggestions everyone!"

Lila, just a heads up, your nomination is still showing up under Adult as The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany instead of Elf..."

Oh my! Thanks for pointing that out Leah!
I have changed it!

The Polls are up!
/poll/list/3...
Time to vote for the books you want to read!

The Winners of the March 15-May 14 Gateway/Portal themed group read are:
Original tale:
Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer
Young Adult Novel:
The Treachery of Beautiful ThingsThe Treachery of Beautiful Things

Adult Novel: a tie between
Stardust
and
Moonwise

We will be setting up discussion threads soon!