mat_tobin's review
5.0
I adored this book from Pushkin. From Jacqueline Molnár's illustrations, where her strong-colour play evokes a richly traditional form in storytelling, to Anna Bentley's incredibly deft touch in translating Lázár's imagination - it's an absolute success and all the richer from a second reading. It tells, in a traditional tale format with a modern twist, the story of Poor Jonny, our classic wanderer through tales, and Princess Arnica a - in some part - stereotype-challenging female protagonist, as they search for a way to lift a witch's curse off them.
Told through a dual-blended narrative that reminded me of [b:The Princess Bride|21787|The Princess Bride|William Goldman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327903636l/21787._SY75_.jpg|992628], each chapter opens with a discussion between a leading adult storyteller and their younger co-teller. Although the adult steers the story, interjections and questions from the young listener make the telling richer and much wiser. Sometimes both intrude mid-story but it's all for the better. This, for me, was what made the story itself so special for such openings and interruptions acted as opportunities for big questions about life and living in general.
The story itself is made of several episodes in which Arnica and Poor Johnny attempt to lift a witch's jealous curse which sees one of them always having to take the form of a duck. Knowing that somewhere out there is a Seven-Headed Fairy who can cure them, they head off encountering a range of characters along the way and helping each to overcome their own problems. Each encounter is set down to prove how much our heroes love each other but also how such love and kindness can help others too.
Since the narrators are situated in the present, there are moments in which the 'traditional' elements and encounters within the narrative rub shoulders with our time. A witch who has the ability to change form is neighboured by a gang of bandits who find that they are incredibly good at football. A band of 12 selfish brothers are only a few fields away from a man who takes offence at anything said to him. This play between modern sensibilities and activities alongside more traditional tropes and characters is what made the story feel so 'new' yet 'established' at the same time.
Finally, I take my hat off to Molnar's strange, delightful illustrations which play with traditional tale themes too - lots of hidden icons and images throughout celebrate some of the implicit messages. However, I suspect that the reason the story works so well 'now' is down to Anna Bantley's outstanding work in bringing Lazar's Hungarian story across to these shores.
Told through a dual-blended narrative that reminded me of [b:The Princess Bride|21787|The Princess Bride|William Goldman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327903636l/21787._SY75_.jpg|992628], each chapter opens with a discussion between a leading adult storyteller and their younger co-teller. Although the adult steers the story, interjections and questions from the young listener make the telling richer and much wiser. Sometimes both intrude mid-story but it's all for the better. This, for me, was what made the story itself so special for such openings and interruptions acted as opportunities for big questions about life and living in general.
The story itself is made of several episodes in which Arnica and Poor Johnny attempt to lift a witch's jealous curse which sees one of them always having to take the form of a duck. Knowing that somewhere out there is a Seven-Headed Fairy who can cure them, they head off encountering a range of characters along the way and helping each to overcome their own problems. Each encounter is set down to prove how much our heroes love each other but also how such love and kindness can help others too.
Since the narrators are situated in the present, there are moments in which the 'traditional' elements and encounters within the narrative rub shoulders with our time. A witch who has the ability to change form is neighboured by a gang of bandits who find that they are incredibly good at football. A band of 12 selfish brothers are only a few fields away from a man who takes offence at anything said to him. This play between modern sensibilities and activities alongside more traditional tropes and characters is what made the story feel so 'new' yet 'established' at the same time.
Finally, I take my hat off to Molnar's strange, delightful illustrations which play with traditional tale themes too - lots of hidden icons and images throughout celebrate some of the implicit messages. However, I suspect that the reason the story works so well 'now' is down to Anna Bantley's outstanding work in bringing Lazar's Hungarian story across to these shores.
bardicbramley's review
4.0
A sweet and strange fairytale translated from Hungarian.
I absolutely loved the look behind the curtain that this story has - the dual narrative of the real world running alongside the fairytale itself.
What I read to be a child and a carer (although this is never specified) co-creating a bedtime story, is placed strategically throughout the book as a continued dialogue, questioning the characters actions, grounding the morals and adding food for thought.
The language felt just like a traditional fairytale. In fact, even though I know it was originally written in 1981, I could easily be convinced that this actually /is/ a traditional tale from Hungary, written centuries ago.
I found the illustrations... Interesting. They fitted the story perfectly, and really cemented the familiar elements of fairytale worlds to the words themselves. But I still found the side faces, occasionally with two eyes on one side, a little terrifying I won't lie. The patterns and colours however - vibrant and solid with incredible shapes.
I absolutely loved the look behind the curtain that this story has - the dual narrative of the real world running alongside the fairytale itself.
What I read to be a child and a carer (although this is never specified) co-creating a bedtime story, is placed strategically throughout the book as a continued dialogue, questioning the characters actions, grounding the morals and adding food for thought.
The language felt just like a traditional fairytale. In fact, even though I know it was originally written in 1981, I could easily be convinced that this actually /is/ a traditional tale from Hungary, written centuries ago.
I found the illustrations... Interesting. They fitted the story perfectly, and really cemented the familiar elements of fairytale worlds to the words themselves. But I still found the side faces, occasionally with two eyes on one side, a little terrifying I won't lie. The patterns and colours however - vibrant and solid with incredible shapes.
thewoollygeek's review
5.0
Princess Arnica is so sweet and gentle that when she smiles even wolves and bears forget their fierceness. Everyone loves her, but she loves only Poor Johnny. Luckily, he loves her too, and even more luckily she has a very sensible king for a father, who is happy for her to marry whomever her heart desires. So, no problems then?
Well, maybe just one - The Witch with a Hundred Faces has cast a spell on Arnica and Johnny which means that one of them, at any one time, must always be a duck, and the other human! Who can help them? Only the Seven-headed Fairy. Will they be able to find her? You'll just have to read the book and find out!
I loved this , the illustrations that went alongside this tale were so unique and beautiful and fit perfectly with the story. I had never read this tale or heard of it before being a Hungarian tale, but I really enjoyed it. Who doesn’t love wondrous fairytales and a couple needs to reunite to be true loves again. Recommend this for all children, of any age be it small or big children. Lovely.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Well, maybe just one - The Witch with a Hundred Faces has cast a spell on Arnica and Johnny which means that one of them, at any one time, must always be a duck, and the other human! Who can help them? Only the Seven-headed Fairy. Will they be able to find her? You'll just have to read the book and find out!
I loved this , the illustrations that went alongside this tale were so unique and beautiful and fit perfectly with the story. I had never read this tale or heard of it before being a Hungarian tale, but I really enjoyed it. Who doesn’t love wondrous fairytales and a couple needs to reunite to be true loves again. Recommend this for all children, of any age be it small or big children. Lovely.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
etienne02's review
2.0
2,5/5. Nope... not for me. Another book that have me trouble finding balance between the illustrations, «plot» and the writing, length of the book. The style of humor, wasn't my style, but it certainly can please some reader and the illustrations have their own style, kind of original, but again not my style. Not necessarily a bad book, but a book I would have trouble recommending to a group age and that wasn't in my liking. Sorry...
More...