The problem with reading beloved children’s classics as an adult, especially having not read them as a child, is that you tend to find the outdated bits. Not outdated in the form of technology, which is also apparent, but in character development. The children seem to do what they are told without questioning here. Today’s literative children are a lot more inquisitive, and also less trusting. And the female characters are stronger and more developed. Fantasy and children’s literature have both evolved since this was […]
Fairytale Retellings that Didn’t Speak to Me
Black Swan, White Raven is a collection of ‘dark’ fairy tale retellings, and I didn’t enjoy a single story in the collection. I adore fairy tale collections, I have always devoured them, but this one was a pain to get through. I’m not sure there’s really a summary to be put in here, I’m sure you’re already familiar with the concept of fairy tale retellings. This book covered a wide variety, from Sleeping Beauty to Thumbelina. The book was originally published in 1997, but was […]
Doctor Sleep and the Lure of the Sequel
While I was reading Doctor Sleep I was bouncing back and forth between my memories of the novel, written by Stephen King in 1977, and the movie adaptation by director Stanley Kubrick, from 1980. I suspect King may have had both in his mind as well. Although it is well-documented that King didn’t love the film version, Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrance was indelible, as were Shelley Duvall as his wife Wendy and the Overlook Hotel itself. The sins of the father will play out in his […]
Hogwarts … You Can’t Go Home Again?
The kid and I recently read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Hmmm … I don’t know what to say. I guess I can say that my daughter liked it better than I did. Initially it was wonderful to see favorite characters again — Harry, Ron, Hermione especially. There are even appearances by some folks you might not expect. I won’t spoil it. But … I just didn’t buy it. This was not who I imagined Harry, Ron, Hermione to be as adults. There are so […]