PhoenixFalls -
Helpful Score: 4
Back in 2009, Catherynne M. Valente published Palimpsest. One of that novel's main characters, a woman named November, defines herself by a 1923 novel called The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, one in a series by Hortense Francis Weckweet about a little girl named September who says "Yes!" (enthusiastic consent, so to speak) to adventuring in fairyland, portal-fantasy style. That book is a through-line in November's story of helping to open up a very adult Fairyland to immigration from our world, and judging from the excerpts Valente provided it sounded delightful, full of whimsy and led by a marvelously spunky narrator.
And it didn't exist.
But one experiment in crowd-funding later, it did. Valente wrote it and posted it online; then it won the Andre Norton Award, leading to a contract with a brick-and-mortar publisher. And that resulted in the book I have in my hands right now. A book which completely satisfies all the promise implied in Palimpsest and which I can easily picture becoming a classic of children's literature.
Keeping true to what was implied about it in Palimpsest, Fairyland is set during WWI and is written in the tone of that era's children's literature. Valente is very much present as the Author, frequently breaking the fourth wall to confide in the reader and foreshadow what is coming next. Like the best in children's literature, she presents a fairyland that is full of wonders (a herd of wild bicycles, a wyvern who is the son of a library, and a little boy who met his mother before she gave birth to him, etc.) but also fraught with dangers -- dangers which our child protagonist can meet, but which push her to her limits and beyond.
It's a fairyland that jives with all our stories of fairylands, and when September stands at a crossroads and has to choose between paths "To lose your way," "To lose your life," "To lose your mind" or "To lose your heart" we know exactly which one she will choose -- and the many, many ways her choice is the worst. We know the rules about not eating fairy food and always moving widdershins, and so does September because she's a bookish child; but keeping with the theme of enthusiastic consent she doesn't let those rules or the very real danger stop her when she has to save her friends. And keeping with a theme that Valente often develops, nothing comes without a price, lacing the happiest moments with poignancy.
This is not my favorite of Valente's novels -- I prefer the gloriously ornate nested structure of The Orphan's Tales -- but it is an excellent place to start with her work, presenting glimpses of her absolutely exquisite prose and her deft hand with myth and folklore in a very accessible, downright conventional narrative. It is also the sort of book that the child I once was would have taken to heart and read to pieces; I hope, therefore, that many children get a chance to discover it and read it to pieces in turn.
And it didn't exist.
But one experiment in crowd-funding later, it did. Valente wrote it and posted it online; then it won the Andre Norton Award, leading to a contract with a brick-and-mortar publisher. And that resulted in the book I have in my hands right now. A book which completely satisfies all the promise implied in Palimpsest and which I can easily picture becoming a classic of children's literature.
Keeping true to what was implied about it in Palimpsest, Fairyland is set during WWI and is written in the tone of that era's children's literature. Valente is very much present as the Author, frequently breaking the fourth wall to confide in the reader and foreshadow what is coming next. Like the best in children's literature, she presents a fairyland that is full of wonders (a herd of wild bicycles, a wyvern who is the son of a library, and a little boy who met his mother before she gave birth to him, etc.) but also fraught with dangers -- dangers which our child protagonist can meet, but which push her to her limits and beyond.
It's a fairyland that jives with all our stories of fairylands, and when September stands at a crossroads and has to choose between paths "To lose your way," "To lose your life," "To lose your mind" or "To lose your heart" we know exactly which one she will choose -- and the many, many ways her choice is the worst. We know the rules about not eating fairy food and always moving widdershins, and so does September because she's a bookish child; but keeping with the theme of enthusiastic consent she doesn't let those rules or the very real danger stop her when she has to save her friends. And keeping with a theme that Valente often develops, nothing comes without a price, lacing the happiest moments with poignancy.
This is not my favorite of Valente's novels -- I prefer the gloriously ornate nested structure of The Orphan's Tales -- but it is an excellent place to start with her work, presenting glimpses of her absolutely exquisite prose and her deft hand with myth and folklore in a very accessible, downright conventional narrative. It is also the sort of book that the child I once was would have taken to heart and read to pieces; I hope, therefore, that many children get a chance to discover it and read it to pieces in turn.
Anne Z. (aszanoni) reviewed The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a marvelous book.
Do you adore certain stories, stories that feel like they were made just for you to fall in love with?
I have read Alice in Wonderland. I quite enjoyed Narnia when I was a teen. But I =love= Fairyland. The language is incredible, the voices are fabulous, and I want more of this world so very badly.
Giving you an idea of what Fairyland is like is hard. Much like trying to find a button-pusher that is anything like Labyrinth.
If you'd like a taste of Fairyland, there's a prequel on Tor.com. Look for "The Girl Who Ruled..." during July 2011. I dare you.
Do you adore certain stories, stories that feel like they were made just for you to fall in love with?
I have read Alice in Wonderland. I quite enjoyed Narnia when I was a teen. But I =love= Fairyland. The language is incredible, the voices are fabulous, and I want more of this world so very badly.
Giving you an idea of what Fairyland is like is hard. Much like trying to find a button-pusher that is anything like Labyrinth.
If you'd like a taste of Fairyland, there's a prequel on Tor.com. Look for "The Girl Who Ruled..." during July 2011. I dare you.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making on + 1438 more book reviews
My first read by Catherynne M. Valente was Palimpsest and I did not like it at all. Fortunately for me, I try to give every author at least two chances. I'm so glad that I did. I remember that a character in that novel was called November. However, another reviewer reminded me that she referred to The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making about a girl named September who travels to fairyland. The book was actually written later and won the Andre Norton Award as well as Culture Geek Best Web Fiction of the Decade. I so enjoyed it. While it's a children's book, it may well become a fantasy classic. It takes us to a fairyland possibly existing during WWII. There are so many wonderful creatures that children (and adults like me) adore such as wild bicycles (acting like wild horses, of course,) a boy named Saturday and a dragon who loves books. The three hope to vanquish an evil Marquess so fairyland can become what it once was. Wonderful, wonderful read.
I actually read this online through her website and was so impressed that I put a copy on hold for the moment it went to print. Not only is Valente's story inventive and interesting, her use of language is enchanting. This book captured my heart as I read a chapter a week as they were released. Though the book was written for children, I am 22 and found it to be a reinvention of the classic fairytale theme and just as enjoyable for my demographic as it would be for kids.
This prompted me to read Palimpsest, a very different kind of Valente novel, not at all for children, but just as unique and magical.
This prompted me to read Palimpsest, a very different kind of Valente novel, not at all for children, but just as unique and magical.
Lost interest
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making on + 2527 more book reviews
I am a huge Valente fan and so far have loved everything I have read by her. So it is probably no surprise that I absolutely adored this book as well. This book was much funnier and less vague than other Valente books I have read; but just as wondrous and creative.
September is sick of washing teacups and sick of the company of her little amiable dog. So when the Green Wind shows up and offers her a ride to Fairyland on the Leopard of Light Breezes she jumps at the chance. September quickly discovers that not everything in Fairyland is going well. The Marquess has been instating horrible rules (although she has a marvelous hat). September decides to go to the capital Pandemonium and find the Spoon that the Marquess has stolen from the Witch Good-Bye. She is accompanied by The Green Wind's thoughtful coat, and a red Wyvern who cannot fly. Along the way her quest is diverted again and again and September learns many fabulous things.
This book was beautiful inside and out. Valente's writing is a spectacular weaving of beautiful and lush images that absolutely come alive. The book itself is wonderful with delightful pictures at the beginning of each chapter. The book reminded me of Alice in Wonderland a bit, you just never know what new and fantastical thing September will find around the next curve.
Valente creates a classic tale that is very creative, beautiful, witty, and intelligent. The whole book is just a delight to read. The characters are easy to love; September is stubborn and determined but adores her friends and is quick to defend them. Even the bad characters are understandable in their evilness.
The book ends well but has a couple story threads left hanging. For example we never find out what happened to September's shadow and then there is the mysterious girl that asks September to play hide and seek.
Overall an absolutely spectacular book; I was sad when it ended. A must read for fantasy fans, especially fantasy fans that adore fairy tales. This is a beautiful, humorous, heartwarming, creative, and absolutely engaging read that no one should miss out on. Fans of Neil Gaiman's books should also check this one out; there are times when the storytelling reminds some of his stories as well.
September is sick of washing teacups and sick of the company of her little amiable dog. So when the Green Wind shows up and offers her a ride to Fairyland on the Leopard of Light Breezes she jumps at the chance. September quickly discovers that not everything in Fairyland is going well. The Marquess has been instating horrible rules (although she has a marvelous hat). September decides to go to the capital Pandemonium and find the Spoon that the Marquess has stolen from the Witch Good-Bye. She is accompanied by The Green Wind's thoughtful coat, and a red Wyvern who cannot fly. Along the way her quest is diverted again and again and September learns many fabulous things.
This book was beautiful inside and out. Valente's writing is a spectacular weaving of beautiful and lush images that absolutely come alive. The book itself is wonderful with delightful pictures at the beginning of each chapter. The book reminded me of Alice in Wonderland a bit, you just never know what new and fantastical thing September will find around the next curve.
Valente creates a classic tale that is very creative, beautiful, witty, and intelligent. The whole book is just a delight to read. The characters are easy to love; September is stubborn and determined but adores her friends and is quick to defend them. Even the bad characters are understandable in their evilness.
The book ends well but has a couple story threads left hanging. For example we never find out what happened to September's shadow and then there is the mysterious girl that asks September to play hide and seek.
Overall an absolutely spectacular book; I was sad when it ended. A must read for fantasy fans, especially fantasy fans that adore fairy tales. This is a beautiful, humorous, heartwarming, creative, and absolutely engaging read that no one should miss out on. Fans of Neil Gaiman's books should also check this one out; there are times when the storytelling reminds some of his stories as well.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Nice fairy tale. Some fun characters!
Christin R. (raksha38) reviewed The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making on + 203 more book reviews
THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!
BRILLIANT!
Its supposedly a YA book, but its really for anyone who loves fairytales. Plus, Valentes use of language is so lush (shes also a poet, which is obvious) the prose feels a little more substantial than the usual YA fare (which I love, dont get me wrong), so I really think adults would love it, even if they dont usually go for YA.
This book is about a girl named September living in Nebraska during WWII who gets whisked away to Fairy Land by the Green Wind and his Leopard. She goes on a quest (because isnt that what girls in Fairy Land are supposed to do?) to retrieve a witchs Spoon from the evil Marquess who is ruling Fairy Land with an iron fist. In the grand tradition of fairytales, she collects friends who help her on her quest, grows up along the way, and saves the world!
I loved everything about this book. I had a huge smile on my face when I finished it. It definitely incorporates a lot of familiar fairytale tropes, but Valente manages to keep things feeling fresh and innovative at the same time. Its a delicate balance, but I find a lot of her writing is really great at finding it. September herself is charming and clever and I loved her immediately. My favorite non-September character was A-Through-L, the half-Wyvern/half-library, who was forbidden to fly by the evil Marquess. I didnt see the resolution coming and really enjoyed it.
Also, the brilliant SJ Tucker created a song to go with this book. Its called Septembers Rhyme and you can listen to it at SJ's website.
BRILLIANT!
Its supposedly a YA book, but its really for anyone who loves fairytales. Plus, Valentes use of language is so lush (shes also a poet, which is obvious) the prose feels a little more substantial than the usual YA fare (which I love, dont get me wrong), so I really think adults would love it, even if they dont usually go for YA.
This book is about a girl named September living in Nebraska during WWII who gets whisked away to Fairy Land by the Green Wind and his Leopard. She goes on a quest (because isnt that what girls in Fairy Land are supposed to do?) to retrieve a witchs Spoon from the evil Marquess who is ruling Fairy Land with an iron fist. In the grand tradition of fairytales, she collects friends who help her on her quest, grows up along the way, and saves the world!
I loved everything about this book. I had a huge smile on my face when I finished it. It definitely incorporates a lot of familiar fairytale tropes, but Valente manages to keep things feeling fresh and innovative at the same time. Its a delicate balance, but I find a lot of her writing is really great at finding it. September herself is charming and clever and I loved her immediately. My favorite non-September character was A-Through-L, the half-Wyvern/half-library, who was forbidden to fly by the evil Marquess. I didnt see the resolution coming and really enjoyed it.
Also, the brilliant SJ Tucker created a song to go with this book. Its called Septembers Rhyme and you can listen to it at SJ's website.
