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In the Night Garden: Orphan's Tales 1

by Catherynne Valente
In the Night Garden: Orphan's Tales 1

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ISBN13: 9780553384031
ISBN10: 0553384031



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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

A collection of interconnected fairy tales for adults journeys into a fantastical world populated by living stars, wild horsewomen, snake-gods, and beast-princesses, in the first of a two-volume set by the author of The Labyrinth. Original. 17,500 first printing.

Review

"Cathrynne Valente weaves layer upon layer of marvels in her debut novel. In the Night Garden is a treat for all who love puzzle stories and the mystical language of talespinners."—Carol Berg, author of Daughter of Ancients

"Fabulous talespinning in the tradition of story cycles such as The Arabian Nights. Lyrical, wildly imaginative and slyly humorous, Valente's prose possesses an irrepressible spirit."—K. J. Bishop, author of The Etched City


About the Author

Catherynne Valente lives in Virginia with her husband. Her short fiction and poetry has appeared in The Pedestal Magazine, Fantastic Metropolis, The Women's Arts Network, NYC Big City Lit, Jabberwocky, Fantasy Magazine, Electric Velocipede, Cabinet des Fees, and Star*Line, and has been featured in The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror #18. Her previous novels include The Labyrinth and Yume no Hon: The Book of Dreams.

5 2

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Average customer rating 5 (2 comments)

`
Christin , August 24, 2012 (view all comments by Christin)
The Orphan's Tales is one story broken into two volumes ('In the Night Garden' and 'In the Cities of Coin and Spice') and it is absolutely brilliant! The language Valente uses is lush and vivid and the structure of this story is utterly unique. Stories are nestled inside stories like those Russian nesting dolls. Such a structure could easily become twisted and confusing, but in Valente's deft hand these intertwining stories stay clear and easy to follow. All of these storylines weave together to form a beautiful, complex tapestry that illuminates a whole new world.

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`
David Poon , January 05, 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.

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Product Details

ISBN:
9780553384031
Binding:
Trade Paperback
Publication date:
10/31/2006
Publisher:
Spectra Books
Series info:
Orphan's Tales
Pages:
496
Height:
.94IN
Width:
6.40IN
Thickness:
.90
Volume:
1
Series:
Orphans Tales 01
Series Number:
1
Number of Units:
1
Illustration:
Yes
Copyright Year:
2006
Series Volume:
01
UPC Code:
2800553384033
Author:
Catherynne M. Valente
Author:
Illustrations by Michael Kaluta
Author:
Catherynne Valente
Author:
Catherynne M. Valente
Subject:
Science Fiction and Fantasy-Fantasy-Epic

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