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deanashuman's review against another edition
4.0
I chose to read this for 2 reasons : I played Rosamund in the musical and had never read the book, and I'm trying to blow through some quick novels before the end of the year to meet my reading goal for the year.
This is a fun and wildly exaggerated fable that, admittedly, has some plotlines that haven't exactly aged well (I'll skip the spoilers, but think rape, fighting Inguns, boastful talk of owning 100 slaves...you get the idea).
That said, Welty's descriptions of the forests, the sky, and of nature in general are really stunning. The characters are painted quickly but clearly, and with comforting predictability (evil stepmother and her goat-man sidekick...handsome bandit...beautiful innocent daughter...). It reads much like a fable. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is a fun and wildly exaggerated fable that, admittedly, has some plotlines that haven't exactly aged well (I'll skip the spoilers, but think rape, fighting Inguns, boastful talk of owning 100 slaves...you get the idea).
That said, Welty's descriptions of the forests, the sky, and of nature in general are really stunning. The characters are painted quickly but clearly, and with comforting predictability (evil stepmother and her goat-man sidekick...handsome bandit...beautiful innocent daughter...). It reads much like a fable. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
eyreguide's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit - I enjoyed this novel more than I thought I would! It's a slim volume, with very easy to read prose, witty asides and interesting turns of phrases. It reads like a fairy tale, tall tale and parable all rolled up in one. The plot this story follows is very fanciful, full of mis-communications, unlikely coincidences, and meaningful imagery. While the story is inspired by The Robber Bridegroom, I feel there are also influences of the Greek myth Psyche and Eros and Beauty and the Beast. Which adds a lot of dimensions to the original fairy tales. There are many references to stories and characters I did not pick up on - Mike Fink and the Harp brothers are mentioned in the plot summary - but probably more frontier legends and stories that I am not familiar with. In this case, this story seemed rich with lore, and I thought it very interesting how the author wove all these elements together.
The story moves quickly, and in very unconventional ways. The things that happen are sometimes nonsensical, but very in the tradition of fairy tales. I thought it was a lovely, well-written, unusual story with very broad characterizations and an interesting twist on The Robber Bridegroom fairy tale. It takes a fairly dark tale, and makes it brighter and more hopeful.
The story moves quickly, and in very unconventional ways. The things that happen are sometimes nonsensical, but very in the tradition of fairy tales. I thought it was a lovely, well-written, unusual story with very broad characterizations and an interesting twist on The Robber Bridegroom fairy tale. It takes a fairly dark tale, and makes it brighter and more hopeful.
vtb's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting spin on Grimm's fairy tale, set in frontier America, this story is not as grim :). Has a cadence to it like a piece of poetry.
onewinternight's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful prose retelling of an old story. It reads like a long fairy tale, so don't expect any more or less.
jerihurd's review against another edition
3.0
Not really sure what to make of that, but I can see why they made a musical of it.
teriboop's review against another edition
3.0
The Robber Bridegroom is a southern inspired retelling of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Set along the Natchez trace, three shady men, Jamie Lockhart, Clement Musgrove, and Mink Fink meet along their respective trails. Enter Musgrove's beautiful daughter Rosamund and her ugly stepmother Salome. One tells lies and the other plots the daughter's demise.
This was a cute, quick story and the first time I have read Welty. I'll likely check out some of her longer novels.
This was a cute, quick story and the first time I have read Welty. I'll likely check out some of her longer novels.
jeremiglio's review against another edition
1.0
I found it so hard to finish or care about this, despite its being so short. I just don't understand what the point was.
habeasopus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
holymary's review against another edition
3.0
i understand what it was trying to do, but that was slightly too problematic for me