The Enchanted

by Elizabeth Coatsworth, Stephen Petroff (Illustrator)

A new edition of Elizabeth Coatsworth's 1951 classic "incredible tale" for adults and young readers as well, republished with new illustrations by Maine artist Stephen Petroff

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Novels

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Elizabeth Jane Coatsworth was best known as the author of Away Goes Sally, The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which won the 1931 Newbery Medal, and the four Incredible Tales, but in fact she wrote more than 90 books for children. She was extremely interested in the world around her, particularly the people of Maine, as well as the houses and the surrounding land. She also loved the history and myths of her favorite places, those near her home and those encountered on her countless travels.

Coatsworth graduated from Vassar College in 1915 and received a Master of Arts from Columbia University in 1916. In 1929, she married writer Henry Beston, with whom she had two children. When she was in her thirties, her first books of adult poetry were published. For over fifty years, she continued to write and publish poetry in collections and to weave poems between the chapters of her books of fiction.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a children's book--it's a fairy tale for grownups. It's about a young man who buys a dilapidated farm in a bit of deep woods in Maine called the Enchanted, who makes friends with the odd but warm and loving nearby family (are they just strange or is there something more about them? lots of hints that the latter is the case...) and marries one of the girls. She is lovely and sweet, but very very odd, and in fact she and her family are actually quails. She learns how to be fully human during the course of the book, but we don't see this change from her point of view at all-- will she regret no longer being a quail???. I liked the farm fixing part more than the fantastical part.

[Jim Folger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discovered this book in a forgotten box, and enjoyed transporting myself into a world of enchantment in the Maine woods, circa early 1900s. This is a great book for teenagers or young at heart old minds who might enjoy a mysterious tale, and an escape from present day reality.

[We Sang Dirges in the Dark · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style was very pretty, but I'm not sure how I feel about the overall quality of the book. It had a very dreamlike feel to it, which I suppose I appreciated, and that fit well with the short length.
A quick, sweet read that works best if you don't think too hard about it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a beautifully written, quick read that will transport you to another place and time, this is it. A true American fairytale from the northern region in Maine called The Enchanted.
The lessons learned, be patient and go slow.

[Nick Anog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this little story, brings you down the path of the “Enchanted” much like any of the woods in Maine you feel their mystic qualities as you enter them. This story is a quick read I would highly recommend.

[Ilana Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those beautiful, "old-fashioned" fairy tale-type books, though set in the modern day. If only there were more books like these written for us grown-ups!

[Jamie Dacyczyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huh, not quite sure what to think of this little book. It's a simple, old-fashioned tale about a young man named Dave buying a run-down farm in northern Maine on the edge of a forest called The Enchanted, and eventually befriending an unusual family who lives nearby. There's a general feel of whimsy over the whole story, a question of "is they magical or are they just strange?' It reminded me a bit like "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbett and a bit like "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey. I really liked the writing in this book, and there were several times I felt like I should write down particularly pretty quotes.

The story itself feels like it's not quite finished. Certain parts happened very fast, such as a romance between Dave and one of the daughters of the family. In true fairy tale fashion, they declared their love entirely out of the blue on one page, and got married on the next. In the end, we learn that this family is really, like, a group of were-partridges. We don't see it happen, but apparently this family gets drawn to the Enchanted from time to time and change back into partridges. This revelation happens so fast, and then the books ends, so that it almost seems like....ok, what was the point of all that? I needed the story to be fleshed out a bit more. It was TOO much like a fairy tale in the abrupt narrative style, but without enough magic to sink my teeth into.

I need a talented writer to take this novella and retell it as a full-length novel with a bit more depth. Still, overall nicely written and whimsical, if a big strange.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not read the illustrated version but I would have loved to. It's a sweet fable, a fantasy, good for fans of original fairy tales. I read it in, gosh, not much more than an hour.

It is *not* a tale of the old west. It is *not* authored by Bingham. I need to get help from the volunteer librarians here on goodreads to disentangle it.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

While very leisurely paced, this novel is a magical (pun intended) meditation on life, nature, and the connection between the two. Beautifully written, the language of the book deserves to the savored, as the plot unwinds and the clues placed within begin to slowly make sense. An intriguing glimpse at a different time and place, which may or may not have ever existed.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love when I find a book from a long ago era. 1951. This is a great fairy tale. I did not guess the "secret" at all. The Enchanted was a great read and an easy read yet kept me engaged to find out what the secret was.

[megan donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an interesting story and warms the heart. It is equally endearing because the place she speaks of is an actual place in Maine.

[Rick Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for those who enjoy the solitude and mystery of the Maine woods. Light the fireplace and settle in for a trip to The Enchanted.

[Marie Bueche · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of a dream. I read this as a child and just reread it. Lovely

[Marisa ZK Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An American fairy tale and romance, Coatsworth's story of a farmer living on the edge of The Enchanted, is full of reverence for the whimsy and mystery of Nature. Farmer Dave is reminded again and again to be Patient and to go slow, yielding to what can not be forced or controlled. I wondered if Coatsworth had in mind that the magic and mystery of the Enchanted may be a metaphor for a woman's heart and soul. I had the ending figured out before I got there, but sometimes that's ok in a children's story.

[Kylin Larsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding The Enchanted, published in 1968, in my favorite bookstore feels appropriate. I have a soft spot for stories that blend the every day and myth, especially when new myths are created.

A man buys a farm on the border of a forest in northern Maine. The forest is named The Enchanted by the local lumbermen, and for good reason. It's difficult to write more without giving away the plot of this finely written, short novel. It reminds me of The Woman Who Lived in the Earth, another wonderful myth that I've reread several times.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember when I was interested in a book right from page 1. What a treat! the story is alluring and subtle. Love the characters, the mystery, and the magic. Quick read. The ending was not unexpected but not disappointing either.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because the cover said it was an incredible story. It isn't exactly incredible, but it is clever. There is subtle magic in it, but I liked it because it depicts the life of a farmer just starting out, taking a wife, and their every day life.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly enjoyable, unfortunately short fantasy story. The ending is well-telegraphed, but the journey to it is still a pleasant one.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a re-read. Having once lived in the area of the Enchanted it was a wonderful reminder and an enchanting read.