percys_panda_pillow_pet's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
tesch18's review
4.0
Takes a while to get into, but the stories are marvelous once you do. A very fast read too.
jonathanwlodarski's review
4.0
The thing that really stands out about these stories to me is how overflowing with sadness they are. Lonely, melancholy, despairing--these are the words I would use to characterize Bernheimer's collection. It's not a bad thing, because she knows how to manipulate these feelings for maximum effect.
One thing I have noticed that appears to be dominating the fairy tale culture these days is the idea of flatness as an essential component of folktales. I agree with the philosophy, because when really are, for example, characters psychologically complex or situations explained fully and in great detail; it's clear that this flatness aesthetic is the goal in these stories, and it works for the most time, but there were occasions ("How a Mother Weaned Her Girl from Fairy Tales," for example) where it grated on me.
I will say that, stylistically, I wasn't really into the idea of every paragraph starting on a new page, but it doesn't take away from the content of the stories. "Professor Helen C. Andersen," "Babes in the Woods," and "The Old Dinosaur" are my favorites.
4/5
One thing I have noticed that appears to be dominating the fairy tale culture these days is the idea of flatness as an essential component of folktales. I agree with the philosophy, because when really are, for example, characters psychologically complex or situations explained fully and in great detail; it's clear that this flatness aesthetic is the goal in these stories, and it works for the most time, but there were occasions ("How a Mother Weaned Her Girl from Fairy Tales," for example) where it grated on me.
I will say that, stylistically, I wasn't really into the idea of every paragraph starting on a new page, but it doesn't take away from the content of the stories. "Professor Helen C. Andersen," "Babes in the Woods," and "The Old Dinosaur" are my favorites.
4/5
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