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Catherine Fischer
, February 13, 2009
A satisfying and fast read, The Godmother is a modern fairy tale gone both pragmatic and philosophical at the same time. While it does tend toward the black-and-white, good-vs-evil nature of traditional fairy tales, it has the grace to address that philosophically as part of the nature of stories told for the edification of children; this book was not written for children, but younger readers will nevertheless appreciate the hero-saves-the-day, happily-ever-after elements within the story. The language is simple and unchallenging; the mash-up of traditional fairy tales in a modern setting is both highly amusing and reminiscent of Charles de Lint's Newford stories, which have always inspired me to remember the magic inherent in the world (and always have me looking at things out of the corners of my eyes). A note to younger readers: as most classic fairy tales do, The Godmother contains a few elements that are truly evil, and somewhat horrific — the more so because they actually exist in the world.
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