Rebecca Berlin has grown up listening to her grandmother, Gemma, tell her the story of Briar Rose, better known as Sleeping Beauty. When Gemma falls ill and dies, her last request to Rebecca is to find the truth in the story, and Rebecca sets out to discover the story of her grandmother’s past. She discovers a link to the Holocaust and a moving story of a true sleeping beauty.
Ever since I discovered Robin McKinley, I’ve been in love with the fairy tale feel her books have, and when I found this YA novel, I thought it was a great place to branch out. This book is just stunning. It’s short, but packs so much in that it’s almost unbelievable. Through the medium of the fairy tale, told through the novel, Rebecca makes these shocking, moving discoveries about the Holocaust that blew me away. She has very few clues about her grandmother’s past, but as she pieces the story together she realizes that she must go to Poland; she has only fragments of the true thread of the story. And it’s in Poland that the story really comes together. I don’t want to give it away, so I can’t say much more than that about it.
In truth, since the book is so short, the characters aren’t fleshed out very well and the plot has some convenient elements to it, like people that just turn up because they have all the missing pieces, but all of that really doesn’t matter. As a reader, you’re far too caught up in the tale Yolen is weaving to care very much about Rebecca and her sisters. What this book does is apply a fairy tale to one of the most horrible events in recent human history, making a connection that brings home the tragedy of it all. The book left me feeling sad, but somehow hopeful that we can avoid this in the future. Briar Rose is a tragically beautiful book that educates as it tugs on your heartstrings.
Wonderful book. I doubt I’ve even come close to conveying why everyone should read it, but they should.
Buy Briar Rose
I’ve had this book on my wishlist for like ever. Glad you liked it so much. I feel bad that I haven’t got my hands on this one yet.
I think you did a great job conveying it, Meghan. This is one of my all-time favourite books.
I’ll keep this in mind for the WWII Reading Challenge.
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Psst…I gave you an award here: http://www.savvyverseandwit.com/2009/05/true-fairy-tale-award-more.html
This really is a fabulous book, I’m glad you liked it.
Jen – Devourer of Books’s last blog post..The Brightest Moon of the Century – Book Review
Ah, but the people showing up when their needed is part and parcel of the fairy tale genre, isn’t it? This sounds like a great one for me. I adore the cover.
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This book sounds amazing! I had heard of it mentioned before, but hadn’t really read a review. This is something that I am definitely going to be checking out. Thanks for the great review!
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I read this book earlier this year and really enjoyed it as well!
Marg’s last blog post..Teaser Tuesday
This is one of my favorite books – I’ve read it several times, and I’m still moved by it. So glad you enjoyed it!
I love reading books based on fairytales. I am definitely going to read this one.
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I’ve never heard of this author, but you make me want to give her a try. Thanks for the review!
Sounds like a great book. I’d like to read it after your review.
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Now this does sound like a book I’d really enjoy!
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I don’t read many YA novels, but you’ve made this one sound great. I may have to read it.
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This is one that I’d hope to read for the WWII challenge but never got to. I hope it’s okay that I linked to your review on War Through the Generations.
–Anna
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[…] fairy tale action I have turned to Robert Coover’s Briar Rose which I first heard about from Meghan at Medieval Bookworm. I love reading about fairytales. The last time that I read a book heavily featuring a […]