Beauty Sleep, by Cameron DokeyYA/fantasy/retelling
I appear to be on another fairy tale kick
Beauty Sleep is a retelling of the story of Sleeping Beauty. Told by the Sleeping Beauty - Aurore - herself, this is the tale from the time of her curse, through to after the reawakening.
In this version, Aurore is cursed by a distant relative, and the counter-curse is provided by a godmother who is not a fairy. As one might expect, her early childhood is spent in not using anything sharp (no princessly embroidery for her!) and not going outdoors, and generally not learning to be a ruler. But, when she's about 10, her cousin Oswald (who may or may not have been part of the plot to curse her) convinces her parents to allow her to go outside. From this time on Aurore is always out of doors, and she begins to know the people of her country, and to come to terms with who she is. But, she does not fit in at court, and does not enjoy the company of the Nobles.
Time goes on until she turns 16 - the age at which she is doomed to prick her finger and sleep for 100 years. At this point, she takes matters into her own hands, and the results are very interesting.
An enjoyable read. An interesting retelling. Recommended.
2 comments:
Have you tried the Sisters Grimm yet? I think they would be a fun addition to any fairy tale kick.
No! I read the intro to one when it came in as a new book, and I keep forgetting them since then. Remind me to bring one home.
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