 |
| Cover (Lo, 2010) |
This novel is a retelling of the Cinderella fairytale, with a twist.
Ash lives in a small servant's room in the house of her stepmother and two stepsisters. She is their servant, working to pay off the debts her father left when he died. She is treated unfairly and with contempt, but finds happiness in well-worn books of fairytales, the warm stones of the floor next to the fire, a freshly peeled and cut apple, and in taking walks in the wild wood when she is alone.
Ash lives in a small servant's room in the house of her stepmother and two stepsisters. She is their servant, working to pay off the debts her father left when he died. She is treated unfairly and with contempt, but finds happiness in well-worn books of fairytales, the warm stones of the floor next to the fire, a freshly peeled and cut apple, and in taking walks in the wild wood when she is alone.
Ash challenges her societies' ideas for the ideal future for a young woman. She asks her younger stepsister why is her goal in life to marry a wealthy older man? Will that make her happy? What does she want to do? Ash tells her that there are other paths she could take, she could become an apprentice and make a life for herself.
At the same time, Ash is facing difficult decisions herself. She has befriended a silvery fairy prince who comforts her, protects her and provides companionship over the years as she mourns the loss of her parents, her home and village. During her walks through the woods, her path also crosses with the huntress, a woman of high standing in her society, but with whom she feels mutual friendship and both are compelled to pursue their friendship to see where it takes her.
However, while Ash is caught between two companions, her world seems to be accepting of same-sex relationships, and she is not discriminated or bullied over connection with the huntress.
The language is immersive and slow-paced, with vivid descriptions of the environment, the beautiful ball gowns, and mossy dark forests. However, in a way that is reminiscent of traditional fairy-tales, there is a distance between what is written and the images that appear in the reader's head. The author, Malinda Lo, has said that she purposefully didn't include a lot of description of the character's physical appearance. Lo writes:
However, while Ash is caught between two companions, her world seems to be accepting of same-sex relationships, and she is not discriminated or bullied over connection with the huntress.
The language is immersive and slow-paced, with vivid descriptions of the environment, the beautiful ball gowns, and mossy dark forests. However, in a way that is reminiscent of traditional fairy-tales, there is a distance between what is written and the images that appear in the reader's head. The author, Malinda Lo, has said that she purposefully didn't include a lot of description of the character's physical appearance. Lo writes:
"Respect your readers’ right to cast the story. I do describe my main characters’ physical appearance, but not terribly specifically. I want readers to imagine the Charming that they would fall in love with, because everyone has different tastes"This is a slow moving and quiet, but magical novel. It is full of contrasts and decisions, tells a beautiful love story. It is highly recommended.
Bibliographic details:
Lo,
M. (2010). Ash. London: Hodder Children's.
Bibliography:
http://www.malindalo.com/2008/10/writing-about-race-in-fantasy-novels/
Bibliography:
http://www.malindalo.com/2008/10/writing-about-race-in-fantasy-novels/
No comments:
Post a Comment