She was born with her eyes closed and a word on her tongue, a word she could not taste. Her name was Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt’s stories and learning the language of the birds, especially the swans. And when she was older, she watched as a colt was born, and she heard the first word on his tongue, his name, Falada.
From the Grimm’s fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original, and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can lead the people she has made her own.
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11 comments:
ok so yesterday my book finally arrived from the library. I will try and read it fast. Any idea what next months book is? I probably should order it now. Goose girl has a pretty cover though : )
This one was hard for me to get my hands on but I finally bought a copy on Wednesday and it's Friday and I'm well over half way through it. It is a delightful read. I'm really enjoying it, thanks Bleu (you don't think I'm dumb enough to think Shane has read this princess book...I'd love to hear I'm wrong ;)
I just finished the book yesterday and really enjoyed it. I found the death of her beloved horse Falada disturbing though. The detail in the book was well attended to, and I appreciated it except in the detail of Falada's death, disbodiment, and stuffing. Really it just shows that I was attached to the characters and took it personally. It was a charming story and was delighted to read it. A cute and overall happy fairytale.
I liked this better than Twilight (I'm gonna get hate mail for that comment.) But truly it felt more well rounded of a story.
Jenny, you really don't like dismembered hairy limbs covered in blood. She really does have an interesting desire to tell somethings in graphic detail then other things were skimmed over. I liked it though. I thought it was nice variety in the narrative. I don't want everything in graphic detail and yet it really had an impact on you when she did.
Did anyone else read this one?
I am getting the book a little late..so all of my comments will be right before the end of the month I'm afraid. (The downtown library doesn't have any parking unless you want to pay and it's a little too far to walk and I get a little scared of that area of town....anywho). I am excited to read it. It sounds very interesting! Shelly, you aren't going to get any hate mail about your comment on Twighlight...to each his own.
I've contacted Brady. He and Melissa are in charge of next months book. I guess they are having a difficult time deciding, but I'll let you know soon.
I actually came across this author in the young adult section of the library which I rate them as the pg and pg 13 section for books. I first read the Princess Academy which won the silver for newberry honor award. I later discovered she was an lds author. I read The Goose Girl next and I loved it. She writes stories where the charachters have insecurities and flaws but are able to reach within and discover their own potential. I agree with Shelly I also enjoyed The Goose Girl Better than Twilight. Jenny if you did not like the violence of Falada's dismemberment you will not like the sequel books Enna Burning and River Secrets. I did not like those as well for the simple reason that they were kind of graphic. I do recommend any of Shannon Hales other books. They are lots of fun. By the way you were right Shelly Shane has not nor will he read this book. I guess it needed a few more dismembered horse scenes to make it entertaining enough to read.
I am interested to know what others verdict on Ani's mother is after all is said and done. It is kind of implied that people with the gift of "people speaking" are not good. Did the queen get rid of her own sister?
Did the queen even love Ani? or did she send her way with no real care or love and the rest was show? It was odd for me that Ani was so cold to her mother as she was sent away but at the same time so attached to her handkerchief and idolized her gift of people speaking.
Oh and Shelly can I have your private email, I have some hate mail to send to you. Just kidding, The goose girl and twilight are too different for me to decide which I like more. love jenny
Here's my thoughts on Jenny's questions...
-the gift of people speaking is a power that is easily misused. Just because you can manipulate without sounding manipulative and get your way doesn't mean you should. And those who aren't able to debate, like Ani, should be wary of those who could use their power over her. The people speak isn't bad in and of itself, it's who uses it and how.
-as for the queen and her sister...i guess i didn't read that part as well as i should have...
-I think that the queen really loved Ani. It was probably more of a disattached love than you and your girls considering their lack of involvement with one another but I believe it was genuine.
She probably refused to get attached to Ani for a number of reasons. Obviously after she was 11 and the mother knew that she would be leaving for good, she probably pulled back emotionally for herself and for Ani. There was probably some distance earlier as well for 2 reasons
1. the queen must always keep an emotional distance
2. Ani was being weird and perhaps out of shame or to ignore the behavior, she just pretended Ani wasn't there.
-I believe at the good-bye the emotions that the mom had been keeping hidden came out. It might have been a little over the top but I like to think it came from somewhere genuine. And for a kid who didn't want to be hurt by her mothers previous indifference, it makes sense that Ani would remain cold when she could get hurt and relish in whatever warmth her mother had offered once there was no one around.
Wow, I can sure be long winded...
Thanks Jenny, those were good questions. What do you think? Anyone else?
I really enjoyed this book. It took me a bit to get into, but after that I read it at full speed finishing within a couple of days.
In response to other comments made. I do think the queen was a good woman. I think as any human she made mistakes. The decision she made to commit to an arranged marriage for her daughter I believe she did for the good of her country (and in so doing for her family) as her duty required. If the neighboring kingdom attacked as Ani mentioned later in the book it would have been a pure slaughter a massacre. If, however, she had the opportunity to guarantee peace for her people it was her responsibility to see to it. Would she really want to leave the thrown to her daughter with a possibility of such destruction and tragedy on the horizon?
When Ani is sick her mother does show concern and compassion. She sent the Aunt (her sister) away out of concern for the methods her sister was teaching her daughter as any concerned parent would if they believed it unnatural or wrong.
I think Ani truly admires the gift of people speaking, because it is her weakness. She admires her mother as most girls do. She wants to emulate her in that way...to be a good queen and often feels discouraged by her weaknesses and mistakes. Ani clings to her mothers memento because it symbolizes familiarity and a hoped for bond between her and her mother. These of course are just my opinions and not fact.
I really enjoyed the relationship Ani had with her father. He saw her for who she was and rejoiced in her spirit. He praised her attempts and hard-work teaching the importance of trying no matter how well one succeeds. I cried when he died.
I also really enjoyed Ani's relationship with the prince. He was honorable without betraying his betrothed and yet loved and knew her on a deeper level than he might have had she arrived in the manner intended.
Wow this is a long-winded entry. Great book! Refreshing and different, but very enjoyable!
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