Lisa’s Comments (group member since Aug 16, 2014)

Lisa’s comments from the Once Upon a Time... group.

I'm on the last chapter of Part 2 and really enjoying it! I've been frustrated because other obligations have really cut into my reading time recently, or days like today, when I planned on doing a lot of reading and was constantly interrupted, so haven't gotten a single page actually read (although I was able to listen to over half of a short audiobook while doing chores.) I agree that although it is a quick read, it definitely isn't for juvenile readers.

Great! I'm glad you enjoyed it, Cheryl. I have it from the library, but haven't started yet. Looking forward to it now.

Oh, I'll finish it too, just slower than most books.

The lack of morals is one thing that is kind of surprising me. Another is the short length of many/most of them. I guess I am just so used to retellings, most of which do clearly point out a lesson or moral and are so much more detailed that the originals are somewhat disappointing.

I'm feeling kind of guilty about this one. I'm only at the beginning of the second part! I do like the tales, but so many are repetitive, and there are just soooo very many!

My copies of both should be ready to be picked up on Friday.

I am getting ready to start the 31st story, Maiden Without Hands, later today. As expected, many of them have been somewhat gruesome.

That is true with a lot of the tales. Although, in the Cinderella one, the step sisters are beautiful too, just not as beautiful as Cinderella.

I skipped the introductions because I wanted to get into the actual tales. I will go back and read them, or at least skim through them, but at the time they seemed so long. LOL. I have an actual hard copy and it is HEAVY! If it gets to be too much, I will switch to ebook as well. My first impressions are surprise that there are so very many tales, and that several so far are extremely similar, but I think that is to be expected.

I decided not to buy it after all, but to get it from the state library system, so have it reserved, but it hasn't came in yet. Should be here sometime next week hopefully.

I finished last night and thoroughly enjoyed the book. As you progress through the story the characters get more detailed and therefore more interesting. I really enjoyed the interactions between all of the various characters and the intrigue as to who is trustworthy or not added to my interest level. It does end on somewhat of a cliff hanger, so I will want to read the second book, which unfortunately isn't available from my library system yet.

I'm only on page 87, so not far enough to really get into the "nitty gritty" yet, but I am getting into the interesting details. I honesty had to read the first chapter or two a few times because it just wasn't making sense at first. I know I was extremely tired and think I was just over analyzing things, which I do at times. Once I realized there were definitely two queens, it made more sense. LOL

I'm picking up a copy of The Wonderland Trials today, so will be starting that soon. I honestly don't plan on re-reading the original Alice unless upon reading the Trials, I find that I really need to compare some things.

Bonnie, I honestly didn't even really pay attention to the setting being maybe Russia, but looking back I can see how much that did add to the detail of the story. I just immediately accepted that it was a Slavik/Russian type of place in probably the mid 1800s or earlier. During that time frame Jews were almost always semi segregated and envied because of their industry, which led to wealth. In addition, their difference of language and religion was little tolerated (something that is still too prevalent for many religions, races, etc.)
I didn't care for Stepon's point of view either. I found him to be an irritating, timid, yet surprisingly somewhat selfish kid. Sure he could have place in the tale, but not as part of the narration himself.
Honestly the only similarities to Rumpelstiltskin that I found was that a bargain was made.

Aww, sick grandbabies are so worrying, especially when we can't be close to give support and get the news firsthand. Hoping things improve quickly.

I really enjoyed this book. Like Adriel said, I liked the first perspective aspect of the writing from almost all of the characters. I don't think I have ever read a book written this way before.
I liked the majority of characters and even the ones that I didn't like, I could appreciate their motivation to do the things they did. Admittedly, there were times I wanted to shake or slap one of them, particularly Irena, and was literally yelling at the book while reading it.

The other question would be how, after two days of being threatened with death, all is just super fine with the marriage after the third day. LOL. I understand that she had very little choice, but I would certainly have an intense dislike of both the king and my father.

I have also always wondered exactly how or why her father would meet the king, and why he would feel impelled to make such a ridiculous boast that she could spin straw into gold.

Gem, I absolutely loved Once Upon a Time, and Gold was actually my favorite character! So many layers.
There wasn't any gore in any of the versions I read. Just my own visualization of the end when he tore himself into two.

As far as the moral to this one, it could be along the lines of "don't count your chickens until they hatch" type thing, as he was absolutely sure that she wouldn't guess his name.

Thanks for the recommendation, Cheryl. I put it on my never ending TBR list.
I've had those same questions - exactly why does he want the child so badly? Maybe as an apprentice? It would be interesting to read a book from that aspect.
If you are looking for other books, I would suggest Gold Spun.It isn't exactly a retelling, more a based upon story, but very well done.