Review Page: Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
| Title: |
Spindle's End |
| Author: |
Robin McKinley |
| Format: |
Novel |
| Genre: |
Fantasy / Childrens |
| Publisher: |
Putnam Publishing Group |
| Date of Publication: |
May 2000 |
| ISBN: |
0399234667 |
No. of Reviews: 1
Av. Rating: 7/10
Buy this book from the Amazon website.
5.12.2000 - Shahrazade - 7/10
List of Reviews | Bio
There aren't enough books like this. When it comes to fairytales many modern authors eschew the difficulties of reworking a classic story with the kind of gruesome plot devices that make editors doubtful and alarm booksellers. Fairytales are treacherous ground for an author but Robin McKinley seems to specialise in them. Although she has won the Newberry Award, McKinley is anything but a prolific author. But that only makes her books something to be treasured and cause any new title to be eagerly anticipated.
Now there is a new title and Spindle's End, a retelling of the story of Sleeping Beauty, ought to prove an important career boost for McKinley. This lively narrative takes place in a magical landscape where all the tropes of classic fairytales are commonplace. But McKinleys' explanations and depictions of magic are refreshingly innovative. Although her world borrows heavily from the classic fairytale landscape, her characters and their attitudes are original and compellingly real.
When the King and Queen have their long awaited first child, the celebration of her birth is massive - with invitations extended to a nominated guest from every village in the land. The Princess' name day is to see her christened Casta Albinia Allegra Dove Minerva Fidelia Alette Blythe Domina Delicia Aurelia Grace Isabel Griselda Gwyneth Pearl Ruby Coral Lily Iris Briar-Rose and during the happy day fairy godmothers turn up in due course to give her their chosen gifts: golden hair, blue eyes, milk-white skin and all the typical princessly virtues. But when tragedy strikes, and the baby Princess is cursed by the evil fairy Pernicia, a different fate becomes hers. She is given for safe-keeping to a young fairy named Katriona who names her Rosie and gives her the gift of being able to speak to animals to make up for the pathetically useless offerings of her godparents.
The novel moves slowly onwards as Rosie grows up and, each year, continues to evade Pernicia's curse. By the time of her 21st birthday great events and a great magic is in motion to free her from the curse forever.
This book is loaded with new and old fairytale imagery and the story is entertaining and makes its way through all sorts of unexpected twists of plot. However the ending is not as strong as it might be and the real matter of the book is the middle section which deals with Rosie's growing maturity. I also wasn't happy with the choice of partner McKinley made for her heroine who, despite exotic origins, seems a rather prosaic husband for impulsive Rosie. But, questions about the ending nonwithstanding, this is a delightful book and one any afficinado of childrens' fiction at its best should enjoy.