Winter's Tale

Book Description

New York City is subsumed in arctic winds, dark nights, and white lights, its life unfolds, for it is an extraordinary hive of the imagination, the greatest house ever built, and nothing exists that can check its vitality. One night in winter, Peter Lake--orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side.

Though he thinks hte house is empty, the daughter of the house is home. Thus begins the love between Peter Lake, a middle-aged Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn, a young girl, who is dying.

Peter Lake, a simple, uneducated man, because of a love that, at first he does not fully understand, is driven to stop time and bring back the dead. His great struggle, in a city ever alight with its own energy and beseiged by unprecedented winters, is one of the most beautiful and extraordinary stories of American literature.

Customer Reviews:

The Cheesecake Factory rendered in prose.......2007-09-28

The moral and artistic equivalent of a Thomas Kincaide painting. A video game with very high production values, where you're forced to read long passages of turgid travel journaling before you can get to the next level and keep playing.

There's a convenient portable heaven that serves the same function as "and then I woke up and it was all a dream." This object is one of many deus-ex-machinas in a plot that delivers whatever its characters need, exactly at the moment they need it: luck, money, skill at cards, prestigious newspaper jobs, disease-and-fertility-free sex partners, magical flying horses, the vocabulary of a PhD candidate in linguistics, mechanical engineering skills, romantic soulmates -- anything anyone might strive and work and pine for, these characters get, just in time, and then never use again. Helprin does all this knowingly; fate, luck, and the absence of consequence seems to be part of the point. But so what? I can't care about characters who are unchallenged and unchallenging, and who can't be harmed.

Mark Helprin deserves one star for gorgeous confectionary prose. There are acres of pretty passages, some truly lovely metaphors. The prose is at all times aware of its gorgeousness -- it's a shellacked, stage-directed supermodel, scrupulously careful of its costume. I kept wishing something with a soul could break out of there, but a character with real complications would leave muddy shoeprints all over, distracting readers from the so-beautiful descriptions of fantasy landscapes, non-beings and un-things.

What comes through most strongly to me is that this is the work of someone who wants to be known as a Great Prose Writer. Mark Helprin's prose begs to be petted, adored, admired -- and it really is worthy of admiration. But the story isn't. I'm left wondering what the story is even about. "Love"? "Redemption"? How can those concepts resonate in the absence of characters vulnerable enough to embody them? Unlike some of the truly great prose stylists (Nabokov, Martin Amis), Mark Helprin isn't challenging. At all. Because his characters are automatons; they do as they're told, patiently servicing once cliche after another in a plot that seems to exist only to convey Mark Helprin's prose.

A Rewarding Tale.......2007-06-03

Before delving into Winter's Tale, you must suspend your disbelief. Time will not proceed in a straight line, and travel through it will be possible. Cities and characters will disappear and reappear elsewhere. Horses will fly, the dead will come alive, and clouds will swallow people, places, and even cruise ships. To believe in these elements, you'll need to believe in magic. A challenge, yes, but if you're up to it, you're in for a real treat.

Helprin's novel tells the story of Peter Lake, an orphan turned bayman turned master thief who falls in love with a young heiress dying of consumption in 1920's New York. Their love transcends place, time, and even death, as we seen when, about a third of the way into the novel, the plot jumps ahead to New York at the turn of the millennium and Peter Lake reappears in Manhattan without having aged a day. As he struggles to reclaim his past, we are introduced to several newcomers to the city whose lives become intertwined with each other and with Peter Lake in a universal quest for love, justice, and God.

Always guided by a power higher than themselves, Helprin's characters embody the author's own sense of right and wrong, and their world is one in which good triumphs over evil, beauty shines through darkness, and perfect justice is possible. Helprin's voice is one of enchanting optimism, and his magical prose carries the complex story as it weaves characters and time periods together. Most enjoyable are his descriptions of New York, a city that Helprin clearly loves and brings to life, not only as the backdrop for his story, but as the central and most important character in the novel.

Despite Helprin's skill as a writer - or perhaps because of it - Winter's Tale is not an easy read. The story can be quite confusing and its magical elements difficult to grasp. While most of his metaphors (of which there are many) are strikingly clear, some are a bit opaque and can weigh down the pace of the story, especially in the middle and weakest third of the novel.

However, Helprin's captivating prose and uplifting themes overshadow the novel's flaws. Just as Helprin's characters are rewarded for their struggle, so the reader will be rewarded with this positively inspiring tale.

Beverly Penn by The Waterboys.......2007-04-22

This will probably be of limited interest to most of you but I just discovered an odd link between 2 artists whose work I admire: Mark Helprin, the author of this great novel Winter's Tale and The Waterboys, the talented rock group led by the great singer / songwriter Mike Scott. On the expanded 2 cd reissue of their acclaimed mid 80's album This Is The Sea there is a song called Beverly Penn, about a main character in Winter's Tale. It turns out that this is a truly wonderful song, a great tribute from one artist to another. Here are the lyrics to Beverly Penn:

Girl sleeping on a mansion roof
under a wintery sky
wrapped she is in furs and sable
starlight in her eye
and what is the name of this creature?
where did she live and when?
who was it and why was it
that Peter Lake loved Beverly Penn

Four O'Clock on a marble morning
water pouring on her skin
in fever her life bursts open
and a hurricane blows in
when high from the dreams of this creature
a thief on a horse descends
it was dawn and it was December
and Peter Lake loved Beverly Penn

It was all of a windy day
and the sky was full of crows
when her lovely soul ascended
she just close her heart and rose
and whither the soul of this creature?
tell me the story again
of scarves and songs and the skin of space
and how Peter Lake loved Beverly Penn

I would dive in a freezing river
set fire to a hundred men
if I could for just one time
love somebody the way that he loved Beverly Penn

An extremely disappointing effort.......2007-04-20

I had been planning on reading "Winter's Tale" for several years after hearing some friends rave about Helprin's writing. The novel is divided into four sections. The first section of the book (the romance between Beverly and Peter Lake) bore out the praise - it was beautifully written, very imaginative and affecting. The second section tells of the arrival in New York of several characters who will be important in the rest of the novel. It was OK.

The third section is bad and the fourth section - 250 pages of rambling and incoherent hyperbolic verbal diarrhea - is a disaster. Helprin seems to have completely lost self-control as work on this novel progressed. The novel descends into a hectic and pointless series of grandiloquently-described episodes in which telling a story has been entirely subsumed in verbiage.

My recommendation is that you read the first section (about 200 pages) and just put the book down. You will have had a rewarding read and sampled Helprin's often beautiful writing. Oh, this should have been such a better book than it was.

The World According to Mark.......2007-01-29

Published in 1983 in the midst of the Reagan (Counter) Revolution, WINTER'S TALE reenacts the 19th century cult of the self-made man (and, somewhat liberally, woman) as the true American Hero. In short, Helprin extols the pre-Progressive Era as a glorious, if messy, alternative to the "immoral" effects of welfare state liberalism.

Regressively repackaging the fabulist techniques of South America's magical realists, Helprin creates for our edification a small band of geniuses who fight for the right to express their personal excellence (through neo-liberal capitalism) against the leveling tide of utopian utilitarianism (aka Marxism/60s Liberalism). All his characters are exalted individuals, even the villain, and so all become very quickly tiresome. Because they are geniuses, they don't learn anything as the story progresses. Instead we learn that genius must be given every opportunity to express itself, as long as it is for the benefit of mankind. As such, WINTER'S TALE violates the core idea of what a novel is.

Real novels tend to be suspicious of the exalted, especially of those who occupy exalted positions based on birth or social class. Helprin, while not a supporter of an aristocracy based on birth, does believe in a perverted version of the Jeffersonian idea of a natural aristocracy. Perverted because it fails to take into account the barriers erected by elites to the expression of this American idea of a wise and benevolent meritocracy. It therefore suits his neo-liberal ideological bent to set the larger part of his story at a time in American history where there was more class fluidity, a time before the large corporate enterprises and their hierarchical management structures began to foreclose the possibility of true individualism.

And so he hypocritically points to this pre-corporatist time as a valid model for our hyper-corporate era without having to take into consideration today's anti-individualist ethos. Writers like Swift, Defoe, Dickens, Melville, Hugo and Zola exposed the hypocrisy of the new economic elite who supplanted the old aristocracy by turning a burning interrogatory spotlight on the cruel iniquities generated by the bourgeoisie and their partners in government. Helprin shines a soft-focus light on the savage iniquities of the Industrial Revolution and decides, all in all, it was a better time.

WINTER'S TALE suffers from an underlying ideological framework that treats characters as hostages to an argument for the rightness and naturalness of neo-liberal paternalism. Unlike a real novel, WINTER'S TALE papers over the cracks in our belief in the resurrected values of Calvinist capitalism, tightens the ideological blinders that support such a view, and keeps true believer's prejudices firmly, and for many, blessedly, intact.

Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-up Journey

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Winter Wonderland
Winter's Tale by Robert Sabuda
STUNNING!
Another fine piece of Robert Sabuda artistry!
Another great pop-up by Mr. Sabuda

Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-up Journey

Manufacturer: Little Simon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689853637

Book Description

Winter's Tale is Robert Sabuda's most spectacular original pop-up story yet. The simple, elegant text is illustrated with breathtaking artwork and extraordinary paper engineering. Stunning visual effects of foil, glitter, and a twinkling surprise further capture the magic of winter. This is a must-have for everyone's bookshelf.

Customer Reviews:

Winter Wonderland.......2007-08-02

This is a beautiful pop up book. My four year old nephew doesn't appreciate it as much as some of the others, but as an adult, I am simply amazed at the intricacy of the pop ups.

Winter's Tale by Robert Sabuda.......2007-07-21

I am a fan of Robert Sabuda's wonderful pop up books. This is certainly a must have for his followers. The work in these books is amazing - hard to believe it's even possible to produce something so wondrous on a mass market level. I can't imagine not loving any of his books, and this is no exception.

Incidentally, I have given some of Sabuda's books to children as gifts, and they love them. However, I own most of them myself and when I've gifted adults with his books they are enchanted and delighted to receive such a marvelous gift. So don't think this is child only by any means!

STUNNING! .......2007-06-06

The pop-up artwork in this book is fabulous! How Sabuda can do such delicate work I will never know, but I do know I will be buying more of his books to put up on my shelf. It is fascinating for me and the kids to see the 'creation' pop up right off the page. A+ book. The last page even has a house that lights up!

Another fine piece of Robert Sabuda artistry!.......2007-05-20

I work as a substitute teacher and shared this book all through the winter months with my students. What a treat to watch a severely sight-challenged child gently run her hands around the exquisite art work! Other students, of all ages, delighted in the details on each of the pages. And because I could make the last page light without the children noticing that I was pulling the tab, they would respond with awe! It is now May. I was tickled in my return to a classroom this week, when a young boy's excitement to see me turned to disappointment after he learned I didn't have any of my Robert Sabuda books with me. You will not be disappointed in this work!

Another great pop-up by Mr. Sabuda.......2007-02-07

The book is a favorite of all of my grandkids.

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High-flying fun

The Tale of Pale Male: A True Story
Jeanette Winter
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0152059725

Book Description

Here is the incredible true story of a Red-tailed Hawk that makes himself at home in the most unlikely of places--atop a high-rise apartment building in New York City. Named Pale Male by his many fans, this majestic bird not only endures in this urban environment, he thrives. But when the residents have Pale Male's nest removed from their building, a historic battle--and triumph--ensues, uniting bird lovers everywhere.

With Jeanette Winter's beloved folk art-inspired illustrations and soulful insight into the spirit of this beautiful hawk, this is a book that will delight nature enthusiasts of all ages.

Includes an author's note.

Customer Reviews:

High-flying fun.......2007-04-24

"The Tale of Pale Male" is a gussied-up true story for the Picture Book set. Remember Pale Male--a Red-tailed hawk--and his Fifth Avenue perch? (Mary Tyler Moore lives in his building.) Remember how Pale Male brought his gal pal Lola to his favorite spot and they built a nest? Remember the birdwatchers down below and the momentous birth of two "hungry chicks"?

Pale Male and Lola set off a media storm when they build their huge nest and begin circling the skies of Manhattan. People lined the street to watch the birds fly and the chicks hatch. Winter chronicles their story and their abrupt eviction from 927 Fifth Avenue when downstairs neighbors complain of the "evidence of Lola's meals" falling on "to the balcony below." (Note: Winter includes only bones, leaves, and twigs in this "evidence.") Media and public outrage follow culminating in the restoration of Pale Male's home.

Winter successfully combines two stories in "The Tale of Pale Male." On the one hand it's the story of people standing up for nature even in the heart of Manhattan. On the other hand, it's a nature story--we learn how Red-tail hawks build nests, what they eat, and how they live.

Winter's pallette of grays, purples, and teals beautifully suits Pale Male's city life, especially when contrasted with the opening pages illustrated in the greens, blues and browns of a Red-tailed hawk's life in nature. An "author's note" at the end of the book gives us the straight story.

"The Tale of Pale Male" is best suited for readers ages four to eight. School-aged children in kindergarten through second grade will especially like "The Tale of Pale Male" at story time. Its dual story line will appeal to city slickers and nature lovers alike.

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Tomten books are gems
The Tomten
The Tomten
Remembering "The Tomten"
Poor quality printing but, great book.

The Tomten
Astrid Lindgren
Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0698115910

Customer Reviews:

Tomten books are gems.......2007-03-15

Simple little stories with a nice repeating theme, great illustrations. A fine addition to any child's library.

The Tomten.......2007-01-18

A short but cute book about one of those loveable Tomtens. The illustrations are wonderful.

The Tomten.......2006-12-13

This is an English translation of a traditional Swedish childrens tale. I thought it was a nice little story, the illustrations could have been better though. This would be a good one to get for your kid if your trying to avoid the usual pop culture garbage.

Remembering "The Tomten".......2006-12-07

I had this book when I was very small. My uncle who was a librarian gave us a library bound edition hardback. I discovered it at my grandma's house when I was visiting about 15 years ago and almost cried. I could still remember it. I brought it home and read it to my kids and they all loved it. I agree about the picture quality in the paperback, sort of washed out and not as good as the old hardbacks. If you can get hold of an older copy, from a library or something, it will probably not be in pristine shape but will have the nicer paper and illustrations.

Poor quality printing but, great book........2006-11-27

Look for the 1961 version if you care about presentation. I bought this thinking I was getting a deal. However, when I got it, I was disapointed. It's missing some pages and it has an extra 8 blank pages all throughout the book. The paper and scanning quaulity were awful. I did like one thing about it. My son was 3 when we got this book and I didn't want him to see print at the time (for personal waldorf education beliefs). The print is on one page and the pic is on the other. This format was great for us because I could cover the print page and expose only the pic page while I told the story.

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Pure storytelling.
One of her very best books
Winter's Tales is refined prose and wisdom of a lost age.
Her "other" great book of short stories
Beautiful, rich, bizarre, and moving

Winter's Tales
Isak Dinesen
Manufacturer: Vintage
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679743340
Release Date: 1993-06-01

Book Description

In Isak Dinesen's universe, the magical enchantment of the fairy tale and the moral resonance of myth coexist with an unflinching grasp of the most obscure human strengths and weaknesses. A despairing author abandons his wife, but in the course of a long night's wandering, he learns love's true value and returns to her, only to find her a different woman than the one he left. A landowner, seeking to prove a principle, inadvertently exposes the ferocity of mother love. A wealthy young traveler melts the hauteur of a lovely woman by masquerading as her aged and loyal servant.

Shimmering and haunting, Dinesen's Winter's Tales transport us, through their author's deft guidance of our desire to imagine, to the mysterious place where all stories are born.

Customer Reviews:

Pure storytelling. .......2007-05-24

These tales don't start with "once upon a time," but they ought to. These beautiful stories-within-stories are dazzling at times, disorienting at others--how deeply in can we go before the enframing story is lost? But the plots are intricately interwoven, the threads all tie into one another, and all makes sense as we move in and out of these complicated tapestry tales. And thanks to the previous reviewers who are providing overviews of her other fiction; I appreciate it.

One of her very best books.......2003-11-18

This is a terrifc book by a unique writer.

That's no surprise, because Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen) wrote a number of fine books. Her ledger contains a couple of volumes of reminiscence about her life in Africa, a pseudonymous novel of adventure (_The Angelic Avengers_), and posthumously published books of stories (_Carnival_) and essays (_Daguerrotypes_). Despite the interest and occasional excellence of these books -- especially in the case of _Out of Africa_ -- it's as a writer of long stories that she exhibited her greatest artistry and achievement.

She published 4 collections of short stories in her lifetime: _Seven Gothic Tales_, _Winter's Tales_, _Anecdotes of Destiny_, and _Last Tales_. She also published a slim novel (really a novella), _Ehrengard_. As a devoted reader, I've enjoyed every one of these books. Still, it does her no disservice to point out that some are better than others.

Her first book, _Seven Gothic Tales_ is usually the book of stories that people remember first -- deservedly, because any book that contains "The Deluge at Norderney," "The Monkey," and "The Poet" gets high marks. The other stories in the book aren't exactly chopped liver, either.

However, I will submit that _Winter's Tales_ deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the earlier book. I approached _Winter's Tales_ the first time expecting to be disappointed after the bravura performance of _Seven Gothic Tales_. I was surprised in the most pleasant manner imaginable. Indeed, in some ways, _Winter's Tales_ surpasses the earlier book as a work of art. The level of writing is uniformly high; the style is still ornate and surprising, but better controlled. And there are still the touches of melodrama and the gothic that give much of her work a strange feeling of having emerged from the 19th Century, while at the same time being very modern.

Although I found the whole of _Winter's Tales_ to my taste, some of the stories stand out. Two stories that I particularly liked were "Alkmene" and "The Fish"; but what puts this book over the top is that it contains "Sorrow Acre," arguably the best example of Blixen's fiction. In fact, one could argue that "Sorrow Acre" is one of the finest stories written in the 20th century by *anyone*. An historical and philosophical novella that reconstructs a day in 19th century Denmark, it plays out personal tragedy and comedy on an aristocratic estate with a subtle irony worthy of Theodor Storm or (dare I say) Thomas Mann. By itself, it was worth the price of admission. I've read it many times since. The thematic connections between this story and the earlier "The Deluge at Norderney" are patent.

Her two later collections, _Anecdotes of Destiny_ and _Last Tales_ have their moments. In particular, several stories from _Anecdotes..._ have grown on me over the years, such as "Babette's Feast" and "Tempests." Still, to my mind, she hit her high water mark in _Seven Gothic Tales_ and _Winter's Tales_.

Winter's Tales is refined prose and wisdom of a lost age........1999-12-28

Isak Diensen's book of ornate, Baroque prose is on an unreachable echelon separate from any writer writing literature today or even from her era. Her stories transport readers to a period where thinking and intelligence were elegant and refined, smooth and intermixed with tints of religiosity. Stories such as "The Invincible Slave-Owner" and "The Sailor-Boy's Tale" show Diensen's strong knowledge of Danish folklore and Baroque description. Mind you, this is not easy reading! The messages are simple, but yet they are dense, and it is very easy to overlook these simple truths as a result of that flamboyance and extravagant complexity for which she has become internationally recognized. Her themes are like those of any writer: strength, courage during adversity, love, etc... But it is how these themes are conveyed that make these tales remarkable. Isak Diensen a.k.a. Baroness Karen Blixen's childhood was not one of the best, and these tales seem to indicate that. They transport the reader, take him or her away to places that seem unreachable, but her life does not mitigate the beautiful intelligence and language that she is able to convey. Diensen was twice nominated for the Noble Prize in Literature, losing to Ernest Hemmingway and Albert Camus. For more on her life and stories, read Judith Thurman's Life of a Storyteller: The Biography of Isak Diensen.

Her "other" great book of short stories.......1999-10-01

Karen Blixen wrote a number of fine books, but only 4 could be called short story collections. Her first book, _Seven Gothic Tales_ is usually the book of stories that people remember first-- deservedly, because any book that contains "The Deluge at Norderney," "The Monkey," and "The Poet" gets high marks. The other stories in the book aren't exactly chopped liver, either.

However, I will submit that _Winter's Tales_ deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as _Seven Gothic Tales_. Indeed, in some ways, it surpasses the earlier book as a work of art. The level of writing is uniformly high; the style is still ornate and surprising, but better controlled. There is some excellent work here, such as the story "Alkmene." But what puts this book over the top is that it contains "Sorrow Acre," probably the best of Blixen's fiction. In fact, one could argue that "Sorrow Acre" is on of the finest stories written in the 20th century by *anyone*. It's a marvel of subtle irony. By itself, it was worth the price of admission.

Her two later collections, _Anecdotes of Destiny_ and _Last Tales_ have their moments, but to my mind, she hit her high water mark in _Seven Gothic Tales_ and _Winter's Tales_.

Beautiful, rich, bizarre, and moving.......1999-07-29

I am a long time fan of Isak Dinesen's short stories. They are little jewels of rich, sometimes ornate, always beautiful and strange prose. Winter's Tales holds together from beginning to end especially well, and includes my favorite tale of all, "Alkmene." Isak Dinesen's stories are like fairy tales remembered in a dream (or is it dreams remembered in a fairy tale?). They resonate with deep longing and sadness as well as an appreciation for the jokester in the universe.

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Curious and Entertaining
READ A CITY IN WINTER!!!!
Very Nice
A Classic Tale
A letter to Mark Helprin

A City in Winter: The Queen's Tale
Mark Helprin
Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670868434

Amazon.com

Another ambitious and glossy collaboration between novelist Mark Helprin and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg, continuing the story of Swan Lake, their earlier book that recreated the ballet classic for children. Emulating Maurice Sendak's reinterpretation of The Nutcracker, both the earlier book and A City in Winter abound in winter season atmosphere and fairy tale magic. At the end of Swan Lake, the unnamed little girl who has heard the story of a prince and his beautiful lover Odette usurped from their kingdom by evil forces, realizes that she is the daughter of the pair, and the rightful heir to the kingdom. As the sequel begins, the girl is now an adult, restored to the throne as queen. She recalls her return to the city at age ten, and tells how the restoration came about.

Customer Reviews:

Curious and Entertaining.......2004-09-26

What a strange book this is! Part childrens' fairy tale (old school - bad things do happen to good people), part political satire, part fantasy, A City in Winter weaves an enchanting melody amidst its disconcordant environment.

I'm not sure who the target audience is - the illustrations and language make the book suitable for kids, while the bizarre characters and convoluted social system are friendly rejoinders against centralism and establishment.

One thing is certain - it is brilliantly written - a captivating book that takes little time to devour. The imagery is outstanding, the characters are engaging and enjoyable, and the plot moves along handsomely. For as short a book as this is, there is sufficient depth to make it worth more than one read.

READ A CITY IN WINTER!!!!.......2004-05-18

A City In Winter is a wonderful book. It's about a little girl who goes on an adventure to find the person who killed her parents. When she gets to the village, she meets two bakers who's names are Astrahn and Notorincus. They help her throgh the story. They told the little girl that if she ever got caught, to tell them that she's a yam culer. During the story, the little girl works in the yam kitchen and finally meets up with the tutor, that raised her when she was little. He knows that she is the queen and in order to keep her safe, he sacrifices himself to tell everyone that the queen is alive. Also in order for the queen to be safe, Astrahn and Notorincus ran up the stairs to the tutor's room. On the way, Astrahn is shot and can't go on. So Notorincus finished running up the stairs and kept the queen safe.In the end the little girl opens the door and everything and everyone gets silent, for they know that she is the queen.I thought that this book was a great book!!

Very Nice.......2002-04-25

This i must say is one of the most kickin books i ever read. the themes of good and evil are represented so fully in this book.The sequel to this novel is just as well recieved by me. If you really are reading this then i hope i have touched your soul and that you read this book. This is specificly to Mark Helprin, you are the coolest author i have read in so long.If you write anymore then you email me and i will read it as soon as i can find it. In other words you rule.
Peace out,
Joe

A Classic Tale.......2002-02-27

I loved this series by Mark Helprin. I'm a big fan of Winters Tale, and this was just as enjoyable. These are wonderful to read aloud to children, or to pass around and take turns with, as we've done with the Harry Potter and other series. Beautiful artwork, and thick shining pages make this book a keepsake, and a sumptuous pleasure to read. In this retelling of Swan Lake, all things are possible... you'll find yourself laughing one moment, tense the next, and always riveted. I also found the strong and triumphant female lead character refreshing, ..the story is told from her point of view, after all this has happened, a narrative to her not yet born child.

A letter to Mark Helprin.......2001-05-11

Dear Mr. Helprin,

Hi! I'm one of your fans. I'm a ten-year-old fourth grader. I have just read your book A City in Winter and I enjoyed it. I also liked the illustrations-nice choice to collaborate with Chris Van Allsburg. I loved everything about your book!

I can even summarize A City in Winter for you. Your story starts out with a queen writing to her unborn child about her difficult life. She writes about her grandparents being assassinated by an evil usurper when her mother was a baby, and the same usurper assassinated her own mother and father when she was a baby.

Until this Queen was ten years old she lived in the mountains as a simple country girl who barely knew a soul. Her tutor, or as she knew him growing up "Grandfather," told her about her real history when she was almost ten years old. When she discovered her history, she set out to find and free her rightful kingdom from the evil usurper who rules her people cruelly.

When she reached her kingdom she became a yam sorter in the palace that the usurper had conquered. In the middle of her time there her tutor came to her and gave her the message that the scholars in her kingdom had been waiting for a sign of her existence for ten years. The sign would be "a burning angel through a darkening sky." This sign would alert her Damavand army generals that they should assemble and it would give the people courage to rise up against the usurper. At the end of the book the Queen opens a door and looks out over her assembled troops, but what will happen to her next? Have you written or have you considered writing a continuation of this book? If you haven't, I recommend doing so because I found the ending a real cliffhanger.

I would recommend this book to anyone. Your writing is sculpted beautifully; you make me feel like I'm in the kingdom you write about. I'd like to find out more about your life and your writing.

Your fan,

Divina

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Rabbit Ears Treasury of Tall Tales Volume I

Easy on the ears for the whole family

Rabbit Ears Treasury of Tall Tales: Volume One: Davy Crockett, Rip Van Winkle, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan (Rabbit Ears)
Rabbit Ears
Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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Rabbit Ears Treasury of World Tales: Volume One: Aladdin, Anansi, East of the Sun/West of the Moon, The Five Chinese Brothers (Rabbit Ears)

Rabbit Ears Treasury of Fables and Other Stories: The Three Little Pigs/The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Rumpelstiltskin, The Tiger and the Brahmin, The Ugly Duckling (Rabbit Ears)

Rabbit Ears Treasury of Fairy Tales and Other Stories: Thumbelina, The Talking Eggs, The Fisherman and His Wife, The Emperor and the Nightingale (Rabbit Ears)

Rabbit Ears Treasury of Animal Stories: How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin, How the Camel Got His Hump, How the Leopard Got His Spots, Monkey People (Rabbit Ears)

Rabbit Ears Treasury of Heroines: Annie Oakley, Song of Sacajawea, Finn McCoul, Princess Scargo and The Birthday Pumpkin (Rabbit Ears)

ASIN: 0739336509
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Book Description

The Rabbit Ears Treasury of American Tall Tales features the larger-than-life characters of America's favorite folk stories--read by your favorite stars and featuring original music by some of today's greatest artists.

Davy Crockett
Read by Nicolas Cage
Original Music by David Bromberg
Follow the escapades of America's ultimate backwoods hero as he travels the frontier in his trademark coonskin cap in search of adventure and brags his way into history at the Battle of the Alamo.

Rip Van Winkle
Read by Anjelica Huston
Original Music by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason
This Washington Irving classic tells the story of likeable but lazy Rip Van Winkle, who shared a strange brew with some mysterious strangers and fell into a deep sleep for 20 years. He discovers when he finally wakes that things are considerably different than he remembers, providing a cautionary tale about making the most of life.

Johnny Appleseed
Read by Garrison Keillor
Original Music by Mark O'Connor
Here is the touching tale of the good-natured naturalist who traveled through the Ohio Valley in the early 1800s planting apple orchards, making friends, and spreading goodwill. Walk the miles with this barefoot explorer who never met an apple pie he didn't like.

Paul Bunyan
Read by Jonathan Winters
Original Music by Leo Kottke with Duck Baker
The larger-than-life lumberjack swaggers through the forests of North America with his faithful companion, Babe the Blue Ox, by his side. Hear about the pancake griddle that's over an acre wide and the truly tall tale of how the Great Lakes and Grand Canyon were created.

Customer Reviews:

Rabbit Ears Treasury of Tall Tales Volume I.......2007-04-05

Thia is was very enjoyable and easy to listen to. I would feel amyone no mater their age would enjoy this listening to this book.

Easy on the ears for the whole family.......2006-09-24

I purchased this for my daughter's fifth birthday and was very pleased with this collection.
Things I liked about Rabbit Ears Treasury of American Tall Tales:
1. Garrison Keillor has an amazing reading ability. He is easy for everyone to listen to.
2. Each story was backed by original music, written to enhance the mood of the story. It was well played and enjoyable.
3. Almost all of the tales were enjoyed by everyone in my family.
4. Each was an appropriate amount of time (approximately 30 minute per story) to hold interest and provide detail.
5. We have listened to the stories over and over, and no one is tired of them yet!
6. The vocabulary is not dumbed down, but understandable in context.

Things I didn't like:
1. Rip Van Winkle was a bit scary to my five year old. The ghosts' decision to sabotage Rip's future with his family really bothered her a great deal.

2. Occasionally the audio became difficult to hear. Repeat listenings and cranking the sound during quiet moments helped, but shouldn't have been necessary.

3. The bit about Johnny Appleseed believing he will have three angel brides in heaven if he remains pure on earth just kept bringing my mind back to the 9/11 sickos who believed killing innocents would mean they would get virgins in heaven. That's my own personal connection, so it shouldn't be troublesome to kids listening to the story (though adults reading this might feel squeamish after seeing this connection. Sorry.)

This is great for car trips, and a real entertainment bargain. Overall, I would recommend this CD and would buy more Rabbit Ears audio cds in the future.

Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction

Average customer rating:

Kind of flat
One of the best anthologies I've ever read
Firebirds
Solid anthology with a few standouts
More to Firebirds than meets the eye

Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction
Lloyd Alexander , Nancy Farmer , Meredith Ann Pierce , Elizabeth Wein , Michael Cadnum , Kara Dalkey , Nancy Springer , Emma Bull , Patricia A. McKillip , Delia Sherman , Megan Whalen Turner , Laurel Winter , Nina Kiriki Hoffman , Sherwood Smith , and Diana Wynne Jones
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142403202

Book Description

Firebirds gathers together sixteen original stories by some of today's finest writers of fantasy and science fiction. Together, they have won virtually every major prize— from the National Book Award to the World Fantasy Award to the Newbery Medal—and have made bestseller lists worldwide. These authors, including Lloyd Alexander, Diana Wynne Jones, Garth Nix, Patricia A. McKillip, Meredith Ann Pierce, and Nancy Farmer, tell stories that will entertain, provoke, startle, amuse, and resonate long after the last lage has been turned. And they all share a connection to Firebird—an imprint, like this anthology, devoted to the best fantasy and science fiction for teenage and adult readers.

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

A Locus Recommended Reading Selection

A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

A Selection of the Science Fiction Book Club

Customer Reviews:

Kind of flat.......2007-03-25

I found Firebirds kind of flat. I think the best children's stories can be read at many levels. Think of "The Hobbit," which appeals to readers ranging from roughly third or fourth grade all the way up to adulthood. At the simplest level there is just an easily accessible story which appeals to a very young and uncomplicated person. At other levels the story should appeal to more sophisticated readers: there might be complex moral decisions, satirical references only an adult would catch, interesting use of language, etc. I know that all the authors featured in "Firebirds" are capable of writing for multiple audiences, but (other than Wynne-Jones's "Little Dot") I found the work presented here somewhat disappointing. It wasn't horrible; it just didn't have the richness I expected from a collection of writers this talented.

One of the best anthologies I've ever read.......2006-11-07

This is a collection of some of the finest authors in the biz, and I think every single one of them would be proud of their work here. I loved this book, and although I do admit that it is a little misleading calling it an anthology of fantasy and sci fi when there's pretty much no sci fi in it, I forgive it that small glitch because it's just so good.

If you're an intelligent reader, or someone who likes incredible reimaginings of traditional tales, or someone who likes their authors to think outside of the box and move into truly bizarre and undiscovered realms, then this book is for you. And if you're the kind of person who doesn't just want action and adventure, but who likes stories that truly make the reader think and feel and wonder, then you will definitely like this. I actually cried several times whilst reading this, I was so moved. But don't get the impression that it's a sad book, because it isn't. It's just that a few of the stories were really poignant in an emotional sense to me.

There's something here for everyone. There's even a poem and a comic book story. I would thoroughly recommend this book to any of the fans of the writers contained within it, and also to readers who have never read any of these authors' works before, since it's a great introduction to their talents. Bravo, Firebirds.

Firebirds.......2006-10-14

Firebirds is a short story book by Lloyd Alexander, Michael Cadnum, Kara Dalkey, Nancy Farmer, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Diana Wynne Jones, Patricai A. Mckillip, Garth Nix, Meridith Ann Pierce, Sherwood Smith, Nancy Springer, Megan Whalen Turner, Elizabeth E. Wein, Laurel Winter, Emma Bull with illustrations by Charles Vess. The book is edited by Sharyn November.
Firebirds is a collection of stories all based on different themes. Each author has a different style of writing. Firebirds has two genres, fantasy and science fiction. I liked this book because the endings were always surprising. I didn't know many of these authors and reading these short stories gave me an idea of how they wrote. All the stories in Firebirds were interesting and different. I would rate this book an eight on a scale of one to ten because some of the stories weren't very interesting. I haven't read many short story books but this was one of the books that I enjoyed. Many of these stories are parts of books that the author has written or sequels.
Some of my favorite stories were Beauty by Sherwood Smith and Little Dot by Diana Wynne Jones. Beauty's about a princess named Elestra. Elestra didn't have any beauty and no one really cared about her. In the throne room, there was a tree that was really a person turned into a tree. One night the Elestra goes into the throne room and is captured by Flauvic, the person who was tree. Beauty's a story that makes you wonder what's going to happen. Little Dot's a story about several cats and a human named Henry. One day Henry is told that there is a Beast that's eating many animals. Find out what happens by reading Firebirds. Little Dot's an engrossing story that captures your attention.

Solid anthology with a few standouts.......2006-06-21

"Firebirds" came into my hands with high praise from sources I respected, and I was not disappointed. I was not overly impressed either. The collection of stories is fairly broad, but the focus is clearly on fantasy (broadly defined, not just swords and sorcery, although there is that too). I have no idea why it includes science fiction in the title, I can't remember a single title I would classify as SF.

There are several stories that revisit old tales to give them a new spin: "Cotillion" (D Sherman) places Tam Lin in 1960's New York, "The Fall of Ys" (MA Pierce) questions the character motivations of the original, "Medusa" (Cadnum)retells the story from the title character's point of view, "Lady of the Ice Garden" (K Dalkey) sets an Andersen tale in Japan. With the ties to classic tales and the strong female leads all around, these stories are particularly well suited for classroom use.

Changelings also play a prominent role: "The Baby in the Night Deposit Box" (M Whalen Turner) in which a magical child is raised by a bank; the surprisingly effective "Hope Chest" (G Nix) which combines elements of horror, political dystopia and, of all things, the Western; "Remember Me" (N Farmer)in which a changeling's differences ostracize her family and "Flotsam" (N Kiriki Hoffman) an overly ambitious about a little boy lost among worlds that ultimately fails to move the reader.

Most of the stories feature female leads, but the two stories with male leads were standouts for me: "Max Mondrosch" (Lloyd Alexander)an understated and oddly comical story about the horror of modern life and "Byndley" (P McKillip) a more traditional tale of a wizard, a fairy queen, and the things that can be stolen in the forest.

Of the remaining stories, I would recommend "Beauty" (S Smith), an "odd princess out" o fthe sort that have become popular since "The Ordinary Princess". "Black Fox" (E Bull) also bears mention as the only graphic entry in the anthology, illustrated by Charles Vess.

"Mariposa" (N Springer), "Chasing the Wind" (E Wein), "Little Dot" (D Wynne Jones, for the magical cat lovers) and "The Flying Woman" (L Winter)were all fine stroies, but none of them proved memorable for me.

The title is definitely recommended if you are a fan of fantasy short stories or the Firebird authors. If this is not something you read every day, I would recommend a Datlow/Windling anthology, such as "The Faery Reel" or one of the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror (Datlow/Windling and Datlow/Link).

More to Firebirds than meets the eye.......2005-08-14

Thanks to smooth writing and a classically romantic sensibility, this collection seems light and airy on first reading. The darker images crept up on me later.

Lloyd Alexander's "Max Mondrosch" is a sneaky little story, vivid and disturbing. So, to, is "Hope Chest" by Garth Nix, a compulsively readable but violent story. Nancy Springer's "Mariposa" is funny and kind of mean. (Which is always a compliment from me.) Megan Whalen Turner's "The Baby in the Night Deposit Box," is just funny.

Other stories, like Delia Sherman's "Cotillion" and Kara Dalkey's "The Lady of the Ice-Garden" are retellings that are nicely written but not outstanding. Only one of them, "Beauty" by Sherwood Smith, seems incomplete. I am not familiar with the world this story is attached to, which may have helped.

Overall, though, this is a thoroughly enjoyable collection for teen or adults. For those (like me) who have a sneaking suspicion that YA fantasy writers are more talented than most of the mainstream adult fantasists, this collection provides great ammunition.

Average customer rating:

Super Reader
Flawed heroes, great story - perfect combination.
Good he never disapoints
Good But the Storyline Has Been Overused by Gemmell...
The Drenai Saga Continues

Winter Warriors (Drenai Tales, Book 8)
David Gemmell
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345432304
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Amazon.com

David Gemmell has a talent for fantasy tales of heroism and villainy that feature characters who, while sympathetically flawed, are almost superhumanly good at what they do. Often these people are warriors: finely drawn, emotionally complex, and struggling with their individual human challenges against the backdrop of epic events.

The heroic figures here are three Drenai soldiers, Nogusta, Bison, and Kebra, whose services have been rejected by their king because they are no longer young. However, while these old friends might be a tad past their best, they are still very good indeed, and when they are called upon to protect the infant heir to the throne, the little prince could not be in better hands. In the midst of flight and eventual, desperate battle against the forces of the demon lord Anharat, they fight not only a human army and a band of demon riders bent on the heir's death but their own doubts about their ability and worth. Gemmell is particularly deft at describing fine gradations of the friendship between the three men, including the subtleties of liking, of loving, and of the different strengths that come with age. Winter Warriors is both a fast-paced fantasy adventure and a powerful story of living and dying well. --Luc Duplessis

Book Description

Winged demons gather, silent and unseen, above the city of Usa, their talons long and sharp. Their purpose is clear, as is the prophesy: Upon the deaths of the three kings, the demon riders of the Krayakin will become flesh, free to slake their thirst with human blood - and the stench of evil will cover the land.

Two of the kings are already dead. For the prophesy to be fulfilled, spreading carnage across the world, the Demon Lord must sacrifice the third king: Queen Axiana's unborn child.

When Emperor Skanda disbands his army, the pregnant queen takes flight, pursued by the Lords of the Undead. All hope lies with three ancient heroes, though discarded by the emperor, they are still Drenai soldiers: Bison the giant, Kebra the bowman, and the great swordsman Nogusta - the Demon Lord's greatest foe. But will these warriors - once the best in the land - be enough to stem the tide of gruesome horror that threatens to envelop the world?

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

A book that does not contain any of Gemmell's major heroes, but instead focuses on three aging men, warriors all. Nogusta the Swordsman, Kebra the Bowman, and bison. This hearkens back quite a lot of Quest for Lost Heroes, but the underlying theme is a bit different.

The warriors set out to rescue the unborn child of a woman, and end up confronting demons and a man they have taken over, in a heroic last stand.

Flawed heroes, great story - perfect combination........2007-01-26

Winter Warriors by David Gemmell is a continuation of the Drenai saga. In fact this is book number eight in the series. Like most Gemmell books you do not need to read all the books before reading this book. There are some references that have read the prior books will make more sense, but it is by no means mandatory to read all the others first. I think that is one of the beauties of Gemmell's writing. He ties things in, but not overly much.

Fans of previous Gemmell books will see a little bit of a difference between this book and the other Drenai books. He writes about more magic use and more monsters and creatures in this book. Yes, there is the human element in this book, but there is also the added element of spirit travel, demons, summoned creatures etc. It is something that Gemmell rarely utilizes much in his writing, but he pulls it off quite well here.

The overall story line of this book is at times classic Gemmell - fighting for what someone believes is the right thing no matter what others think, but also something different from his normal fare - the demon riders want to bring their brethren back to the world in the flesh. As with the majority of Gemmell's books the plot is rather straight forward with not many subplots. Yet, for this book in particular it works very well.. with the pace of the book and the limited number of pages he is allowed, there is simply not much room for subplots to be really developed so basically he just doesn't include them in this novel. I don't believe the novel suffers from lack of subplots, in fact I think it is made stronger because the reader is not forced to read about irrelevant things that merely fill up space.

Again, as with most Gemmell books the real strength of the book lies with the fantastic characters that he creates. These are characters that all have flaws; they are by no means ultra-powerful nor perfect in any sense of the imagination. They are who they are. The main characters in this book are not your traditional characters, young, spry and energetic. In fact they are quite the opposite, they are old men who are in the twilight of their lives. Having the heroes in the end of their careers adds an element that very few fantasy books have ever explored. Gemmell pulls this piece of information off wonderfully and it adds a very nice addition to the story. Of all the characters in the book Kebra was my favorite with Bison being a close second. They were all interesting in their own way and never did I not want to read about one of them.

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. It's refreshing to read fantasy books that don't try to be something they are not. Gemmell writes engaging stories that are easy to relate to. This book was no different. I would strongly recommend the Drenai books to any fantasy fan, be it the fantasy fan who has read hundreds of books or the person that is just starting to read fantasy books, everyone will find something they enjoy within Gemmell's pages.

Good he never disapoints .......2006-05-05

While George RR Martin is my favorite fantasy author David G. is a close second.

I don't care that all the stories are the same with flawed yet noble characters fighting the good fight against impossible odds the books are very well written.

This book is interesting because while events from previous books are vaguely mentioned no one is standing around going "my father was a solider under Druss the Legend" every five pages.

Some people I know can't stand "Legend" the first book and if that's you here might be a good place to start.

Good But the Storyline Has Been Overused by Gemmell..........2006-03-13

David Gemmell, I think, has played out this scenario a few too many times. I loved it in Legend and The King Beyond the Gate and enjoyed it in Quest for Lost Heroes, but I think this one felt too similar to the others when it came to the character development. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed reading about the new characters and their history, but it seems like they have been reproduced too many times now. The story was good and the writing was the same type of Gemmell writing that I have come to love, but it lacked something new that all of his others included.

Nogusta is an aging Blademaster who just wants to go back to his Drenai home and start up his family again. Bison is prone to drinking and making a mess of things, but his heart is always in the right place. Kebra's eyesight is failing, but he is still one of the best in all the land. They are finally released from their military duties, but their path leads them away from home when they have to protect a newborn babe and his mother.

Even with the same classic Gemmell characters, this book still has enough magic and action to make it fun, but it is not one of Gemmell's best. I look forward to the next in the series, White Wolf. Enjoy this one!

The Drenai Saga Continues.......2005-11-08

Winter Warriors is listed as a part of the Drenai Saga, and although it does take place in those lands, specifically Ventria, to me it feels very much as if could be a standalone novel that is only peripherally connected to the earlier books. The plot of Winter Warriors is set well after any of the previous books, with only a passing mention of Druss the Legend to tie it to earlier books in the series. So, even if you haven't read the other books in the Drenai Saga, don't let that stop you from diving into this excellent novel.

As is usual for David Gemmell's novels, there are two characteristics that make this book stand out: nonstop action and excellent, well-crafted characters. Gemmell is one of the best when it comes to writing tightly-plotted, action-driven fantasy and this tale qualifies as one of his best. He keeps the story moving at a quick pace, sending his heroes from one seemingly impossible situation right into the next.

At its core, this book is the tale of three aging heroes, whose time has seemingly passed. However, as fate would have it, they find themselves in the position of saving a kingdom, and possibly the world, from a demonic threat. It's these three heroes, Nogusta: the master swordsman with a tragic past, Kebra: the archer with unsurpassed skill, and Bison: the giant-sized fighter with a heart of gold, that gives this tale its soul. While these characters may seem similar to others in the series, Gemmell is always able to make them real and unique in their own way. He has the rare ability to make you as a reader really care about what happens to each and every one of them. Don't become too attached, however, as Gemmell is also known for being willing to kill off any character at any time.

One thing that distinguishes this book from others in the series is the fact that the main antagonist is of supernatural origin, the Windborn, or demons from another realm. In the prior Drenai Saga tales, magic has played a secondary role. Here it takes a much more prominent role. Gemmell handles this very well, although it gives the book a slightly different flavor, especially when compared to a book like Legend.

Overall, this is another top notch read from one of the masters of fantasy adventure. If you've read the other books in the Drenai Saga, don't pass this one up. If you're looking for a place to sample Gemmell's writing, this is a good place to jump in. If you're a fan of fantasy, David Gemmell is a can't miss.

Snowball Oranges: A Winter's Tale on a Spanish Isle

Average customer rating:

tranquillo
Snowball Oranges

Snowball Oranges: A Winter's Tale on a Spanish Isle
Peter Kerr
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1585748668

Book Description

It's the stuff of dreams: A Scottish family gives up relative sanity and security to grow oranges for a living in a secluded mountain valley on the Mediterranean island of Majorca. But dreams, as everyone knows, have a nasty habit of not turning out quite as intended. Being greeted by a freak snowstorm is only the first of many surprising "experiences," and it isn't long before they realize that the orange farm they've purchased is a bit of a lemon.
However, laughter is the best medicine when confronted with consuming a local delicacy containing rats, the "live-chicken-down-a-chimney" technique of household maintenance, and attending a shotgun wedding. Their colorful Majorcan neighbors restore the family's faith in humanity, and help them adapt to a new and unexpectedly challenging life in this deceptively simple idyll of rural Spain. SNOWBALL ORANGES is hilarious and revealing, full of life and vivacity, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Majorca.

Customer Reviews:

tranquillo.......2005-06-08

I bought this book two days ago and have to say that I have strugglled to put it down since. For anyone with an interest in travel and the charismatic characters one meets this is an essential read. It is written in almost a novel format and whilst this does much to enrich the individual chapters I did feel that this style did mean that some of the warmth of the principal characters was lost.In this sense it fell short of other books in the genre, notably Chris Stewart's Driving over lemons. However, Kerr's detailed descriptions of his neigbours were a pleasue to read. At times it is laugh out loud funny and just looking at the next paragraph would prompt another outburst. A good read. Now where is my passport?

Snowball Oranges.......2003-02-19

I bought this book at LA Airport just before flying to the UK, and I have to say that reading it made short of the long journey. I read it in one go, and my outbursts of snickering and laughing must have had my fellow travellers wondering if I was a few oranges short of the pound.

This book is unique in the travel genre in that the writer has a wonderful ability to tell his story as though it were a novel instead of just a travelogue. His sharply-observed portrayal of rural Majorcan characters and his vivid descriptions of the island's scenery and cuisine are so realistic that you can almost feel the sunshine, taste the food and smell the orange blossom.

I enjoyed the book so much that I bought the sequel, 'Manana, Manana', as soon as I arrived in the UK, and it lived up to my expectations and more. Next day I booked my first vacation to Majorca, and I can't wait to visit the places so graphically depicted in these books. You can bet I'll be first in line to buy the third in the series whenever it's published. Estupendo, Don Pedro!

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