very daring for a kids book
Although the merest trifle compared to the epic His Dark Materials, Pullman excels as always in this short story.
This book is a very dark meta-fairy tale in which the story becomes part of the story. It's one of the heaviest children's books I've read and is quite an enjoyable, quick read for adults.
This story is aesthetically pleasing. It is no more, or less, problematic than any other german fairytale, and fits right in with the tradition of the Grimms.
