scottishben's review
4.0
This short novella was one of the most loved and appeared on several major awards ballots (not sure if it won anything or not). I liked it but not as much as many other people seem to have done. Had I approached this without any expectations I am sure I would have been pleasantly surprised by an entertaining story told quite well but it did not quite live up to the stellar expectations I had. Still I am feeling generous today so 4 stars.
gabrielavmarques's review
3.0
This short story was surprisingly well-written and atmospheric. It feels eerie, like a nightmarish fairytale.
shirin_mandi's review
5.0
''Deborah - the judge."
''She is sharp enough, but there is no heart in her chest, only a steel gear.''
So she thought to herself
"if I cannot be pretty and if I cannot be kind, I can be powerful, I would be powerful, and make everybody see it.''
Deborah a Jewish girl has been trained by her witch grandmother, and try to save her family in the late nineteenth century in Poland and NEW WORLD.
I find myself heartbreaking as reading this short, fantasy, historical, fairy retelling, wonderful, fascinating, impressive, and terribly sad story.
"In America, they don’t let you burn. My mother told me that.''
BUT I wept while burning there.
Highly Recommended.
''She is sharp enough, but there is no heart in her chest, only a steel gear.''
So she thought to herself
"if I cannot be pretty and if I cannot be kind, I can be powerful, I would be powerful, and make everybody see it.''
Deborah a Jewish girl has been trained by her witch grandmother, and try to save her family in the late nineteenth century in Poland and NEW WORLD.
I find myself heartbreaking as reading this short, fantasy, historical, fairy retelling, wonderful, fascinating, impressive, and terribly sad story.
"In America, they don’t let you burn. My mother told me that.''
BUT I wept while burning there.
Highly Recommended.
suannelaqueur's review
5.0
A short story of Jewish mysticism combining Rumplestiltskin and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. I know. Just read it. Seriously. It's terrific.
drkappitan's review
5.0
A chilling re-telling of Rumplestiltskin. My only complaint is the occasionally heavy-handedness of the Yiddish-inflected dialogue. Otherwise, beautifully done.
arensb's review
3.0
Interesting choice of setting for a fantasy story: New York City in the early years of the 20th century, among Jewish girls newly-immigrated from Poland. I didn't think the story added a whole lot beyond the setting, though: it felt like "same old folklore; New World". One central element of the plot was just copied wholesale from .
Be warned, also, this is a dark story. If you're in the mood for something that'll leave you smiling at the end, you should move on and come back to this story later.
Spoiler
RumpelstiltskinBe warned, also, this is a dark story. If you're in the mood for something that'll leave you smiling at the end, you should move on and come back to this story later.
lamusadelils's review
4.0
Qué historia tan bonita y qué triste.
Esta es una perfecta combinación de la crudeza de la realidad con la magia de la fantasía, temas interesantes (pero además relevantes, que parece más importante aún) y todo encapsulado en una historia muy cortita que se desarrolla a un ritmo excelente.
Si les interesa pueden leerla en Tor.com
Esta es una perfecta combinación de la crudeza de la realidad con la magia de la fantasía, temas interesantes (pero además relevantes, que parece más importante aún) y todo encapsulado en una historia muy cortita que se desarrolla a un ritmo excelente.
Si les interesa pueden leerla en Tor.com
vitani's review
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
alessandrajj's review
4.0
Fiquei TÃO MAL com o final :( Mas a leitura foi ótima! Não sabia dessas bruxarias no judaismo :o Deu vontade de ler mais coisas sobre :~ Quem quiser ler, tem o link do livro completo aqui (em inglês): http://www.tor.com/2013/06/19/burning-girls/