Review: The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern #1)

The Goose Girl

Author: Shannon Hale

Summary:

She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders on the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place? Get ready for a fine adventure tale full of danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. The engaging plot can certainly carry the tale, but Hale's likable, introspective heroine makes this also a book about courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds.


Published 13 May 2005

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For a while, I was hooked onto retellings of fairytales. For those of you with a similar love of all sorts of fairytales, you can try the Once Upon A Time series published by Simon Pulse.

But there is a difference between OUaT series and this marvellous novel by Shannon Hale. While reading paperbacks under the OUaT series, we are mostly always reminded of how the original tale goes and in the end it is simply another retelling of a classic bedtime romances. However, The Goose Girl takes on a complete life its own, becoming a new tale, exploring new horizons, all the while retaining the magical quality that defines all fairytales.

The book is written in a simple and mild-mannered way, with no excessive dialogue or ornate descriptions. But don't be deceived! This is a fast-paced and smooth-flowing book with no unnecessary scenes, as much as a fantasy as it is a fairytale!

The original tale of the Goose Girl is one of my favourite tales although it is not as well-known as famous classics such as Snow White and Cinderella. Whatever flaws it has, Shannon Hale's adaptation managed to overcome it all.

One sad thing though, I felt that the romance could have been more elaborated since it left me craving for so much more. But however I lament, this in itself is Shannon Hale's personal style. She is short and sweet and straight to the point.

An extraordinary look at what it means to be friends, family and people in love, Goose Girl will make your heart sing with every verse of its lovely narration!


Source: Purchased

   

xoxo,

Sel