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Catherynne Valente has no rival when it comes to creating modern fairy tales. And this book contains a collection of nested fairy tales, every one excellent, and every one artfully crafted. What makes the Orphan's Tales such an outstanding read?
1) Everything is interconnected, even when you think for sure that it can't be. And it's all brought together so subtly, so that when you read it, you feel like you just figured something out. There are moments when one can't help but think, "why does this phrase seem familiar?" and then a name drops, and you're plunged back into the story from half a book ago.
2) Valente uses fairy tale idiom to its fullest effect. She takes old archetypes and imbues them with new life. She uses the power of recollection and the repetition of words to write pure poetry in prose. Sometimes you read the same sentence three times in as many lines, and each time it means something different. And on the next page, you'll read the same series, each item slightly different, and you'll know that you're gradually learning your way into this world, taking baby steps as you're taught the shape and character of this make-believe land. Except...
3) Everything you read is astoundingly believable. Valente's greatest strength, it seems, is to make the most outlandish and preposterous stories seem to be the most real utterances you've ever encountered. Bears becoming men who were really stars come to earth; sisters that hide their mouths across their bodies; folk mythology and wizards' rites influencing the procession of power and the feuds of eternal monstrous rivals; and little girls with abilities unspeakable.
The Orphan's Tales will not grace your bookshelf until you have devoured each story, engorged yourself on strange myths and incredible creatures, feasted on every phrase and every word that brings the unreal to life. Then you'd better hope you can exchange it for Volume II.
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The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente
David Poon, January 5, 2011
Catherynne Valente has no rival when it comes to creating modern fairy tales. And this book contains a collection of nested fairy tales, every one excellent, and every one artfully crafted. What makes the Orphan's Tales such an outstanding read?1) Everything is interconnected, even when you think for sure that it can't be. And it's all brought together so subtly, so that when you read it, you feel like you just figured something out. There are moments when one can't help but think, "why does this phrase seem familiar?" and then a name drops, and you're plunged back into the story from half a book ago.
2) Valente uses fairy tale idiom to its fullest effect. She takes old archetypes and imbues them with new life. She uses the power of recollection and the repetition of words to write pure poetry in prose. Sometimes you read the same sentence three times in as many lines, and each time it means something different. And on the next page, you'll read the same series, each item slightly different, and you'll know that you're gradually learning your way into this world, taking baby steps as you're taught the shape and character of this make-believe land. Except...
3) Everything you read is astoundingly believable. Valente's greatest strength, it seems, is to make the most outlandish and preposterous stories seem to be the most real utterances you've ever encountered. Bears becoming men who were really stars come to earth; sisters that hide their mouths across their bodies; folk mythology and wizards' rites influencing the procession of power and the feuds of eternal monstrous rivals; and little girls with abilities unspeakable.
The Orphan's Tales will not grace your bookshelf until you have devoured each story, engorged yourself on strange myths and incredible creatures, feasted on every phrase and every word that brings the unreal to life. Then you'd better hope you can exchange it for Volume II.