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retrophrenologist's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chelseast14's review against another edition
Very detailed and difficult to get into… I’ll might be able to digest it one day…
crazygoangirl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
This is fantasy book unlike most. For one, it’s a very slow burn and for another the writing is verbose and more literary than I’ve encountered in most fantasy fiction, except perhaps Tolkien who is in my opinion is literary but easy to read and fast-paced.
Mirrlees spends the first two chapters laying groundwork and building the background for the tale to follow. We get detailed descriptions of Lud-in-the-Mist, the village that sits between the river Dawl and the stream Dapple, in the country of Dorimare that shares a border with Fairyland. We also get details of its history, customs and traditions including past interactions with the fairies. The main protagonist is Nathaniel Chanticleer, who is Mayor and Senator of Lud-in-the Mist and this is primarily his story. He begins as a jovial, self-absorbed, pompous sort of man who transforms over the course of the narrative into an open-minded, bold, accepting and decisive one. His best friend, Ambrose Honeysuckle is a grumpy but intelligent and loyal friend, unafraid to speak the truths that Nathaniel needs to hear. The book picks up pace in the second half, when Nathaniel finally picks up the courage to journey out of Lud, in order to solve a 36-year-old murder in a village nearby. He must also solve the mystery of his son Ranulph and daughter Prunella’s disappearance under strange circumstances.
I liked the story even though it was initially very hard to get into, because of the heavy-handed narrative style and slow pace. Mirrlees approaches the usual subjects related to the human condition with uniquely worded prose and through the interaction of humans and fairies, that could be metaphors for ‘normal’ and ‘different’. She tackles acceptance, friendship, sacrifice, community, love and consequence mainly through interaction between Nathaniel and Duke Aubrey, the Fairy King, of sorts. The concept of Fairy fruit and how its effects vary with denial and acceptance was a wonderful way in which she addresses addiction.
This is broadly a fantasy book but it was more philosophical than expected. It required more focus and concentration than I’m used to while reading fantasy. I thought it might rekindle my slump but ultimately it was a read that made me think about humanity and how we are often our own greatest stumbling block!
Recommended for readers who don’t mind a slow-paced, character driven fantasy with a healthy dollop of philosophy.
Mirrlees spends the first two chapters laying groundwork and building the background for the tale to follow. We get detailed descriptions of Lud-in-the-Mist, the village that sits between the river Dawl and the stream Dapple, in the country of Dorimare that shares a border with Fairyland. We also get details of its history, customs and traditions including past interactions with the fairies. The main protagonist is Nathaniel Chanticleer, who is Mayor and Senator of Lud-in-the Mist and this is primarily his story. He begins as a jovial, self-absorbed, pompous sort of man who transforms over the course of the narrative into an open-minded, bold, accepting and decisive one. His best friend, Ambrose Honeysuckle is a grumpy but intelligent and loyal friend, unafraid to speak the truths that Nathaniel needs to hear. The book picks up pace in the second half, when Nathaniel finally picks up the courage to journey out of Lud, in order to solve a 36-year-old murder in a village nearby. He must also solve the mystery of his son Ranulph and daughter Prunella’s disappearance under strange circumstances.
I liked the story even though it was initially very hard to get into, because of the heavy-handed narrative style and slow pace. Mirrlees approaches the usual subjects related to the human condition with uniquely worded prose and through the interaction of humans and fairies, that could be metaphors for ‘normal’ and ‘different’. She tackles acceptance, friendship, sacrifice, community, love and consequence mainly through interaction between Nathaniel and Duke Aubrey, the Fairy King, of sorts. The concept of Fairy fruit and how its effects vary with denial and acceptance was a wonderful way in which she addresses addiction.
This is broadly a fantasy book but it was more philosophical than expected. It required more focus and concentration than I’m used to while reading fantasy. I thought it might rekindle my slump but ultimately it was a read that made me think about humanity and how we are often our own greatest stumbling block!
Recommended for readers who don’t mind a slow-paced, character driven fantasy with a healthy dollop of philosophy.
jorloucooper's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
More of an atmospheric read, the experience was probably somewhat improved by being in the lakes - surrounded by mountains and such
vedpears's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
boots's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
timinbc's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Neil Gaiman for pointing me to this delightful book. I only wish I'd found the edition pictured here, with his foreword. Mine may have been printed in the 1950s.
First, know that this was written in 1926. Second, it will probably be good if you have read some other books about fairies, and not the Tinkerbell kind.
Now, get a cup of tea, and a couple of Digestive biscuits, and perhaps a nice lap blanket. Set up the fire, and make sure the cat is settled.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin.
This starts slowly, because the author knows you're enjoying your biscuits and you haven't got that crease out of the blanket yet. We meet some characters with quirky names, and the odd bit of gentle snark appears in the text.
We meet Nathaniel and Ambrose, who by the end of the book are revealed as a pair of friends not unlike Rat and Mole, or perhaps Pooh and Piglet. We meet grumpy wives, and surly farmers, and quite a few people about whom Something Isn't Quite Right. We get a feel for how the village works, and thinks. It's a settled place, but perhaps a place that doesn't want to be quite so very settled.
Then there's a murder. Investigation goes slowly. Nathaniel slowly plods into a glimmer of a clue, things happen, crises form, brave decisions are made, things are discovered, lies are uncovered, and we have a resolution.
And at the end, this lightweight tale sinks into you, and you realize there are several levels of allegory and examinations of our society, and what we drift into being without realizing it. Not to mention reminding us that a good guy can also be a bad guy at the same time.
Oh, look at the time! The fire has burned down, the eyes are getting heavy, and the cat's hungry, but goodness me, wasn't that a wonderful story?
First, know that this was written in 1926. Second, it will probably be good if you have read some other books about fairies, and not the Tinkerbell kind.
Now, get a cup of tea, and a couple of Digestive biscuits, and perhaps a nice lap blanket. Set up the fire, and make sure the cat is settled.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin.
This starts slowly, because the author knows you're enjoying your biscuits and you haven't got that crease out of the blanket yet. We meet some characters with quirky names, and the odd bit of gentle snark appears in the text.
We meet Nathaniel and Ambrose, who by the end of the book are revealed as a pair of friends not unlike Rat and Mole, or perhaps Pooh and Piglet. We meet grumpy wives, and surly farmers, and quite a few people about whom Something Isn't Quite Right. We get a feel for how the village works, and thinks. It's a settled place, but perhaps a place that doesn't want to be quite so very settled.
Then there's a murder. Investigation goes slowly. Nathaniel slowly plods into a glimmer of a clue, things happen, crises form, brave decisions are made, things are discovered, lies are uncovered, and we have a resolution.
And at the end, this lightweight tale sinks into you, and you realize there are several levels of allegory and examinations of our society, and what we drift into being without realizing it. Not to mention reminding us that a good guy can also be a bad guy at the same time.
Oh, look at the time! The fire has burned down, the eyes are getting heavy, and the cat's hungry, but goodness me, wasn't that a wonderful story?
kiwi_zoe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75