A review by graff_fuller
Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro, Cornelia Funke

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is a Fairy Tale...in our modern world, and it seemed ap pra po for the time of year...that we read it (Jade's Bedtime Bookworm Discord Book Club).

The main character is Ofelia. She seems too small and young to actually put up a fight against the powers that are against her. But honestly, the main character of the story...is the often overlooked and underappreciated Mercedes, who is the anthem for all oppressed people.

This is a tale with other meanings...and I don't want to give it away, but in reading it, especially during the American Elections, and two days after our 2024 election results came in...and the OTHER canidate won. Well, it made me feel that this book spoke to me a lot more.

I don't usually like horror books, but this book walked that knife's edge...by making it a "fairy tale" atmosphere...which allowed the horrific things that were happening, to land softer and not AS horrific (to me).

I hope that the decisions that WE make as a country, finally seed hope for the future, even against the powers that encroach upon us and our freedoms.

I know that it isn't good to be TOO political, but we need to stand up against the powers that hold us down.

I'm impressed that the "stars aligned" and I was able to read this book...at the right time, that it made the most sense.

If you haven't read it, yet...do. Open it up and be prepared to go on a journey (watching for the clues that the authors give you) as things happen on the page...and what they mean for our Real Life.

I really enjoyed it.