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Title: White As Snow by Tanith Lee ISBN: 0-312-87549-5 Publisher: Tor Books Pub. Date: 07 December, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.52 (21 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Add one part myth, one part fairy tale, mix until smooth...
Comment: A maiden is kidnapped...a mother searches for her, disguised as an old beggar woman...a deadly fruit is eaten...the maiden dies but not necessarily for good...
Note that I could either be talking about the ancient tale of Demeter and Persephone, or about the fairy tale "Snow White." Tanith Lee weaves the two together masterfully in her novel, "White as Snow." As I read it, I kept reading a scene and then thinking, "Hey, WAIT a minute, that was the part where Demeter tries to make the little kid immortal", and so forth. It just fit incredibly well; the book followed both the myth and the fairy tale, making me realize just how much symbolism the two stories had in common in the first place. It is a testament to Lee's skill that after reading the book, I began to seriously wonder whether the fairy tale truly *is* a corrupted version of the myth, distorted through centuries. Whether there is any real connection, the world may never know--but Lee makes us believe there is.
And as I write this, I remember that in ancient times Demeter was associated with the mirror.
I deducted one star because I had trouble sympathizing with the characters; they seem emotionally cold throughout much of the book. It makes sense, given their traumatic pasts, but it doesn't make it any easier to relate to them.
Still, four solid stars for a richly archetypal neo-myth.
Rating: 5
Summary: White as Snow, Black as the Soul...
Comment: First, I am happy to see the Faery Tale series by Terri Windling back in publication. I was sad to see it disappear years ago. I hope to see more in the series soon!
Like Terri Windling's series, I am always excited when I see a new Tanith Lee novel. I had just finished reading Wolf Tower (which is a wonderful book) and saw White as Snow was due out soon...I waited with much anticipation for the book's arrival and I am happy to say I wan't disappointed by Tanith Lee's retelling of Snow White. This is one of her many reworkings of this particular fairy tale, but what makes this one different is that it is also a powerful and ingenious parallel of the Persephone/Demeter myth. As usual, Lee's prose is gorgeous and the story is challenging and unpredictable. There are a lot of layers to this novel and it deserves to be read and reread so that one can savor the imagery and emotion that this book builds. I particularly liked the dark psychology of the book--the war between mother and daughter, the war fought within oneself, the war between the sexes...everything resonates in this book and scenes continue to echo in my mind. This book belongs on the shelf next to Deerskin,by Robin McKinley and The Armless Maiden, an anthology by Terri Windling, for it is a powerful novel dealing with the more common, darker emotions of humanity.
Rating: 5
Summary: Fantastic! But Beware....
Comment: Tanith Lee is one of my very favorite writers, and whenever she and the world of Fairy Tales meet, the result is always pretty explosive. But have caution: this book is certainly not for everyone.
This book is extremely dark and graphic, and has some of those uniquely "tanith-y" characters that are complex and not all that likeable. But they contrast nicely with the characters that are downright monstrous.
I like that she explores the issue of what, exactly would make someone like Snow White's mother act the way she does, and involves issues of magic in a way that does not solve problems, but causes them. The end is not so much "bittersweet", as "wrenching". I wouldn't reccomend it to someone who hasn't read any other Lee books.
I read the Orson Scott Card book, "Hart's Hope", and was struck be the similarities, not in the plot, but in themes, imagery, and questions posed. If you liked that book, this one is for you. Keep in mind, though, that this book is much more horror than it is fantasy, despite the Fairy Tale connections.
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Title: Snow White, Blood Red by Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling ISBN: 0380718758 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 December, 1993 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: Briar Rose by Jane Yolen ISBN: 0765342308 Publisher: Tor Teen Pub. Date: 15 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears by Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling ISBN: 0380778726 Publisher: Eos Pub. Date: 01 December, 1996 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Black Heart, Ivory Bones by Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling ISBN: 0380786230 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 March, 2000 List Price(USD): $13.50 |
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Title: Silver Birch, Blood Moon by Terri Windling, Ellen Datlow ISBN: 0380786222 Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 March, 1999 List Price(USD): $13.50 |
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