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The Girl Who Came Back to Life
A fairy tale about love and loss, and how to live in a world filled with both...
When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says "Goodbye," and Sends you to the next world.
After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father's spirits back home with her.
Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother-by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans-Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons-what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.
When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says "Goodbye," and Sends you to the next world.
After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father's spirits back home with her.
Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother-by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans-Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons-what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.
180 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2014
13 people are currently reading
3489 people want to read
About the author
Craig Philip Staufenberg
5 books102 followersCraig Philip Staufenberg is an author and illustrator based in NYC. His books include Lily Firehands and the Secret of Warmth, The Girl Who Came Back to Life, and Cracking the Shell of the Egg: A Memoir of Spiritual Experience.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
February 21, 2018
Gorgeous little fairytale I read on the plane to London. Loved it.
March 19, 2018
The search for a warm heart...
A touching story of a little girl who loses her parents at the tender age of 12, burying any and all emotions she may have felt, maintaining a silent steadiness... a cold heart. Following tradition she decides to go on a pilgrimage to retrieve her parents' souls and bring them back to her. Through this difficult journey, Sophie quickly matures and realizes something very valuable... to let go and to let be. A heart warming story told by a young child... a story about learning to feel and moving forward. 5 Ice-Melting Stars for this life-changing pilgrimage.
A touching story of a little girl who loses her parents at the tender age of 12, burying any and all emotions she may have felt, maintaining a silent steadiness... a cold heart. Following tradition she decides to go on a pilgrimage to retrieve her parents' souls and bring them back to her. Through this difficult journey, Sophie quickly matures and realizes something very valuable... to let go and to let be. A heart warming story told by a young child... a story about learning to feel and moving forward. 5 Ice-Melting Stars for this life-changing pilgrimage.
November 5, 2014
3.5 Stars
'The Girl Who Came Back to Life' is a fascinating new fairytale that is very well-written and has heart. It follows our young heroine, Sophie, whose parents die when she's just twelve-years-old. In the story, it's said that the spirits of the dead go north to the City of the Dead, where they will wander forever until a loved one comes and Sends them to the next world by saying goodbye. Sophie knows she must go to the City of the Dead to see her parents - but she has no intention of saying goodbye. Instead, she plans on finding and bringing them back home - where they belong, with her. After getting permission to travel alongside her distant and aloof grandmother to the City of the Dead (and only if she can pay her own way), they set out on a journey that will take them by train, on foot, and by boat - across several different and beautiful landscapes. During the trip, Sophie ends up learning some really hard life lessons and she must decide if she still wants to bring her parents' spirits back with her or to Send them to the next life.
Most modern-day fairytales don't come across as actual fairytales, in my opinion. They never have the right cadence or narrative that the old fairytales and lore had. This book, however, had exactly the right tone - both in the way it's told and in how it's written. When I read this book, I actually felt as if I was reading and actual fairytale - one written long ago. That cemented it in my mind as a phenomenal new addition to the genre that gives it much needed new life. The story was intriguing and I enjoyed learning about Sophie's life - the good, the bad, and the ugly. She's a strong female lead for a character so young, but we see her grow tremendously throughout the story. The author used imagery and detailed descriptions that allow the reader to plunge into Sophie's world. I loved learning about their beliefs in the City of the Dead and how to send loved ones on to the next world. As in original fairytales, there was a definite moral to this story. There are actually a lot of different life lessons that Sophie learns throughout her journey - some difficult, some inspiring, and all of them perfect parallels to the lessons we must learn in life. She realizes that she's holding on to the memory of her parents when she needs to let them go - and that the person she really needs to bring back to life is herself, by breaking down the walls she's built around herself. Overall, this was a enchanting fairytale - true to it's genre - that readers will no doubt enjoy and learn from. Highly recommended for fans of the genre as well as those who enjoy children's fantasy and folklore.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'The Girl Who Came Back to Life' is a fascinating new fairytale that is very well-written and has heart. It follows our young heroine, Sophie, whose parents die when she's just twelve-years-old. In the story, it's said that the spirits of the dead go north to the City of the Dead, where they will wander forever until a loved one comes and Sends them to the next world by saying goodbye. Sophie knows she must go to the City of the Dead to see her parents - but she has no intention of saying goodbye. Instead, she plans on finding and bringing them back home - where they belong, with her. After getting permission to travel alongside her distant and aloof grandmother to the City of the Dead (and only if she can pay her own way), they set out on a journey that will take them by train, on foot, and by boat - across several different and beautiful landscapes. During the trip, Sophie ends up learning some really hard life lessons and she must decide if she still wants to bring her parents' spirits back with her or to Send them to the next life.
Most modern-day fairytales don't come across as actual fairytales, in my opinion. They never have the right cadence or narrative that the old fairytales and lore had. This book, however, had exactly the right tone - both in the way it's told and in how it's written. When I read this book, I actually felt as if I was reading and actual fairytale - one written long ago. That cemented it in my mind as a phenomenal new addition to the genre that gives it much needed new life. The story was intriguing and I enjoyed learning about Sophie's life - the good, the bad, and the ugly. She's a strong female lead for a character so young, but we see her grow tremendously throughout the story. The author used imagery and detailed descriptions that allow the reader to plunge into Sophie's world. I loved learning about their beliefs in the City of the Dead and how to send loved ones on to the next world. As in original fairytales, there was a definite moral to this story. There are actually a lot of different life lessons that Sophie learns throughout her journey - some difficult, some inspiring, and all of them perfect parallels to the lessons we must learn in life. She realizes that she's holding on to the memory of her parents when she needs to let them go - and that the person she really needs to bring back to life is herself, by breaking down the walls she's built around herself. Overall, this was a enchanting fairytale - true to it's genre - that readers will no doubt enjoy and learn from. Highly recommended for fans of the genre as well as those who enjoy children's fantasy and folklore.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2017
I tend to write lengthy reviews. I can go on and on for ages. This book? It's a one word review - beautiful.
No, make that two words - truly beautiful
One of the most sublime pieces of writing I've had the pleasure of encountering. This has become one of those books that will always have a place in my home.
No, make that two words - truly beautiful
One of the most sublime pieces of writing I've had the pleasure of encountering. This has become one of those books that will always have a place in my home.
October 28, 2017
First of all, thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review!
I got into reading when I was 13, and I never actually read any of the classic fairytales. Sure, I watched numerous movies and know all of the plots but I never actually read them. I guess I figured I was too old for them.
The Girl Who Came Back To Life on the other hand is a fairytale for all ages. It's magical without having any magic at all. It's beautiful, meaningful and really amazing.
The character of Sophie is intelligent, strong and real and I absolutely loved her. She was the sweetest fairytale heroine I ever met!
I'm so so glad I got a chance to read this beautiful fairytale.
To the author (if he ever reads this): The Girl Who Came Back To Life made it to my favorites list! And not just that, it has become my favorite fairytale too! <3
I got into reading when I was 13, and I never actually read any of the classic fairytales. Sure, I watched numerous movies and know all of the plots but I never actually read them. I guess I figured I was too old for them.
The Girl Who Came Back To Life on the other hand is a fairytale for all ages. It's magical without having any magic at all. It's beautiful, meaningful and really amazing.
The character of Sophie is intelligent, strong and real and I absolutely loved her. She was the sweetest fairytale heroine I ever met!
I'm so so glad I got a chance to read this beautiful fairytale.
To the author (if he ever reads this): The Girl Who Came Back To Life made it to my favorites list! And not just that, it has become my favorite fairytale too! <3
October 21, 2014
I received a review copy of this book for my stop on the blog tour at Donnie Darko Girl.
Lately it seems like I'm reading books back to back about life and loss. I believe I'm drawn to those topics especially at this time of year when the vibrancy and liveliness of summer gives way to the unforgiving bleakness of winter. The Girl Who Came Back to Life is about both - how do you keep on living after losing loved ones?
Since Sophie lost her parents, she's decided to find a way to the City of the Dead and bring them back with her, thinking everything can go back to the way it was. Sophie's grandmother has taken in her in, but she isn't emotionally available to Sophie. Since Sophie's grandfather died, her grandmother sleepwalks through life. The only times she allows the sharp edges of her personality to fade are when she reads a mysterious letter that seems to give her comfort.
I find the idea behind this story oddly comforting, and I say oddly because I like knowing the souls still exist but you don't know what the next plane of existence will be. But you know they're going somewhere. I'm also not sure I could let go. What if you didn't want to Send your loved ones? What if you wanted them to stay with you rather than allowing them to move on to the next stage?
Once I heard there are some who believe if you don't "let go" of your loved ones and move on from their death, their spirit will remain here and be prevented from going on to Heaven or wherever you believe your soul goes. That always horrified me because I didn't want to let go of them, but I didn't want to prevent them from going to where they could be at rest. The Girl Who Came Back to Life had me thinking about all of this, and I like to think about it as morbid as that might sound.
I was glued to this book - I couldn't wait to find out if and how Sophie would make it to the City of the Dead and what she would ultimately do when/if she arrived there. And her grandmother intrigued me with the way she has emotionally closed herself off. The sacrifices Sophie makes to get to the City touched me. I'd like to think I would have done the same as she did. She's clever and quick thinking. I'm not sure how much I'm like that, or if I'm like that at all.
The Girl Who Came Back to Life is an amazing story. The pacing was a bit slow for me at times, but I believe it's a personal preference. I think I was impatient, wanting to find out what was going to happen next so badly. Other than this minor issue, I loved reading Sophie's story.
Lately it seems like I'm reading books back to back about life and loss. I believe I'm drawn to those topics especially at this time of year when the vibrancy and liveliness of summer gives way to the unforgiving bleakness of winter. The Girl Who Came Back to Life is about both - how do you keep on living after losing loved ones?
Since Sophie lost her parents, she's decided to find a way to the City of the Dead and bring them back with her, thinking everything can go back to the way it was. Sophie's grandmother has taken in her in, but she isn't emotionally available to Sophie. Since Sophie's grandfather died, her grandmother sleepwalks through life. The only times she allows the sharp edges of her personality to fade are when she reads a mysterious letter that seems to give her comfort.
I find the idea behind this story oddly comforting, and I say oddly because I like knowing the souls still exist but you don't know what the next plane of existence will be. But you know they're going somewhere. I'm also not sure I could let go. What if you didn't want to Send your loved ones? What if you wanted them to stay with you rather than allowing them to move on to the next stage?
Once I heard there are some who believe if you don't "let go" of your loved ones and move on from their death, their spirit will remain here and be prevented from going on to Heaven or wherever you believe your soul goes. That always horrified me because I didn't want to let go of them, but I didn't want to prevent them from going to where they could be at rest. The Girl Who Came Back to Life had me thinking about all of this, and I like to think about it as morbid as that might sound.
I was glued to this book - I couldn't wait to find out if and how Sophie would make it to the City of the Dead and what she would ultimately do when/if she arrived there. And her grandmother intrigued me with the way she has emotionally closed herself off. The sacrifices Sophie makes to get to the City touched me. I'd like to think I would have done the same as she did. She's clever and quick thinking. I'm not sure how much I'm like that, or if I'm like that at all.
The Girl Who Came Back to Life is an amazing story. The pacing was a bit slow for me at times, but I believe it's a personal preference. I think I was impatient, wanting to find out what was going to happen next so badly. Other than this minor issue, I loved reading Sophie's story.
October 27, 2017
kindle unlimited but got it on freebie day or something, not sure would have picked fairy tale but then again not anything else really.
A fairy tale about love and loss, and how to live in a world filled with both...When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says "Goodbye," and Sends you to the next world. After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father's spirits back home with her. Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother-by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans-Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons-what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.
A fairy tale about love and loss, and how to live in a world filled with both...When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says "Goodbye," and Sends you to the next world. After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father's spirits back home with her. Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother-by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans-Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons-what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.
October 28, 2017
I absolutely love the book. I immediately became connected to the characters. Such an easy read and fills with inspiration. Craig has created and amazing story that I will be recommending to everyone I know. He's brilliant and I can't wait to see more from him. He has a lifelong fan!
October 27, 2017
Well written life lesson which leaves an impression that while hard to describe will remain with you for a long time. The author provides the reader an engrossing story with an ending that will inspire readers who accompanied little Sophie on her journey. Recommended reading.
December 2, 2014
*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
When Sophie’s parents die, she’s left an orphan at the young age of 12. While her distant grandmother takes her in it’s up to Sophie to make the trip to the North, to the City of the Dead to release their spirits to the next world. Sophie has no idea how she’ll travel such a distance, but her grandmother needs to go to release her husband, so they travel together. It’s a long perilous journey, one many don’t return from. Sophie wants to go only to bring her parents back, but is that even an option or a young girl’s desperate hope to put things back the way they were? Will Sophie even survive the journey? We’re about to find out.
Sophie has been raised isolated and in a pretty much emotionless atmosphere. When her parents die and she has to live with a grandmother who appears not to care about her, Sophie decides she needs to go to the City of the Dead, not to release her parents spirits, but to bring them back so her life can go back to normal. Her grandmother needs to go to release her husband and tells Sophie they can travel together if she earns the money to go. After some searching Sophie lands a job at the bakery. When she earns the money to go they depart in the Spring when the roads are clear of ice. The journey is insanely long and dangerous. I was wondering why anyone would travel the distance when the possibility of getting there alive was slim and getting back alive even less so. An old woman and a 12-yr-old making the trip boggled my mind. Personally, I would have said screw that. The spirits could take care of themselves.
This is a well-written story told from Sophie’s POV and while she is a 12-yr-old with some funny kid-type ideas, she’s also a bit more mature than her age in some ways. Her journey really shapes her that’s for sure. The City of the Dead confused me. I’m not exactly sure what went on there. It has that kind of abstract stuff I do not excel at figuring out. Anyway, I enjoyed Sophie’s journey much more. She has quite the adventure and it’s not always pleasant. All-in-all a great coming of age kind of tale.
When Sophie’s parents die, she’s left an orphan at the young age of 12. While her distant grandmother takes her in it’s up to Sophie to make the trip to the North, to the City of the Dead to release their spirits to the next world. Sophie has no idea how she’ll travel such a distance, but her grandmother needs to go to release her husband, so they travel together. It’s a long perilous journey, one many don’t return from. Sophie wants to go only to bring her parents back, but is that even an option or a young girl’s desperate hope to put things back the way they were? Will Sophie even survive the journey? We’re about to find out.
Sophie has been raised isolated and in a pretty much emotionless atmosphere. When her parents die and she has to live with a grandmother who appears not to care about her, Sophie decides she needs to go to the City of the Dead, not to release her parents spirits, but to bring them back so her life can go back to normal. Her grandmother needs to go to release her husband and tells Sophie they can travel together if she earns the money to go. After some searching Sophie lands a job at the bakery. When she earns the money to go they depart in the Spring when the roads are clear of ice. The journey is insanely long and dangerous. I was wondering why anyone would travel the distance when the possibility of getting there alive was slim and getting back alive even less so. An old woman and a 12-yr-old making the trip boggled my mind. Personally, I would have said screw that. The spirits could take care of themselves.
This is a well-written story told from Sophie’s POV and while she is a 12-yr-old with some funny kid-type ideas, she’s also a bit more mature than her age in some ways. Her journey really shapes her that’s for sure. The City of the Dead confused me. I’m not exactly sure what went on there. It has that kind of abstract stuff I do not excel at figuring out. Anyway, I enjoyed Sophie’s journey much more. She has quite the adventure and it’s not always pleasant. All-in-all a great coming of age kind of tale.
October 13, 2014
Sophie, 12 years an orphan cones up with a plan... Bring her parents back to life. Sounds tough, but she is determined. She'll make the difficult journey to the north, but instead of Sending them off, she will remind them why they need to live.
However, getting there will be more difficult than she thought and more eventful than she wanted. Still grieving her husband's death, Sophie's grandma accompanies her on the journey. That seems normal, except their relationship is anything but that... Together, they find their way north, but also find out more about each other and life than either anticipated.
The Good:
This book has several strong points. First, in the tradition of fairy tales, it imparts many lessons about family, death, grief, and acceptance. The pace of the adventure kept me intrigued. And as each new challenge was presented, a deeper level of understanding developed the characters. There was a subtly to this story that I really enjoyed.
The Bad:
With any book though, I feel compelled to point out any issues that I, as a reader encountered.
The story is told almost entirely in a narrative format rather than being immersed in dialogue or an active point of view. For younger and middle grade readers this is common, but I found myself longing for more.
I also had some confusion at points over the main character. For being stripped from a loving home and deposited into a cold environment without help, or guidance, I felt Sophie remained too controlled... and a bit too mature for twelve.
Neither of these deterred me from this enjoyable story.
My Recommendation:
I enjoyed the way this book was broken into distinctive parts and short chapters. The reader is easily guided along this fast-paced, descriptive journey. I believe that this book will appeal to middle graders that enjoy a darker theme... and also reluctant readers.The short chapters truly give you a feeling of accomplishment, transition, and progress...
However, getting there will be more difficult than she thought and more eventful than she wanted. Still grieving her husband's death, Sophie's grandma accompanies her on the journey. That seems normal, except their relationship is anything but that... Together, they find their way north, but also find out more about each other and life than either anticipated.
The Good:
This book has several strong points. First, in the tradition of fairy tales, it imparts many lessons about family, death, grief, and acceptance. The pace of the adventure kept me intrigued. And as each new challenge was presented, a deeper level of understanding developed the characters. There was a subtly to this story that I really enjoyed.
The Bad:
With any book though, I feel compelled to point out any issues that I, as a reader encountered.
The story is told almost entirely in a narrative format rather than being immersed in dialogue or an active point of view. For younger and middle grade readers this is common, but I found myself longing for more.
I also had some confusion at points over the main character. For being stripped from a loving home and deposited into a cold environment without help, or guidance, I felt Sophie remained too controlled... and a bit too mature for twelve.
Neither of these deterred me from this enjoyable story.
My Recommendation:
I enjoyed the way this book was broken into distinctive parts and short chapters. The reader is easily guided along this fast-paced, descriptive journey. I believe that this book will appeal to middle graders that enjoy a darker theme... and also reluctant readers.The short chapters truly give you a feeling of accomplishment, transition, and progress...
October 6, 2014
I received a copy of this book free for an honest review which I've given. This review first appeared on my blog Christy's Cozy Corners.
Right from the very first page, The Girl Who Came Back to Life held me captive. I read it all in one sitting..well, okay, I did have to get up a couple of times, but you know what I mean. Once I started, I didn't finish until I hit The End. Reading The Girl Who Came Back to Life makes you feel as if you are in a different land. A fairytale land. In fact, the subheading of the book is "A Fairytale." But it's not a land with fairies or princesses or pirates. It's a land of sadness, mourning, and joy.
I lost my husband November 2013. It was a huge shock. Like Sophie, I had no idea that when I woke up that morning my whole life would be different. Grief is a tremendous journey that no one can prepare you for in advance. Saying goodbye takes a long time and Sophie and her grandmother's journey North takes a long time. And it's not easy. There are times when you are stuck. There are times when you feel complete and utter exhaustion...like nothing can give you strength again. You feel broken and lost and alone. Sometimes on the journey you receive help and comfort. You feel like you are making progress. And then you aren't. And then you are again. And then finally, you come back to life. Slowly, yet surely.
I loved this book and highly recommend it. You really have to read it yourself to experience the amazingness of it all. If you do read it, I'd love to hear what you think!
Right from the very first page, The Girl Who Came Back to Life held me captive. I read it all in one sitting..well, okay, I did have to get up a couple of times, but you know what I mean. Once I started, I didn't finish until I hit The End. Reading The Girl Who Came Back to Life makes you feel as if you are in a different land. A fairytale land. In fact, the subheading of the book is "A Fairytale." But it's not a land with fairies or princesses or pirates. It's a land of sadness, mourning, and joy.
I lost my husband November 2013. It was a huge shock. Like Sophie, I had no idea that when I woke up that morning my whole life would be different. Grief is a tremendous journey that no one can prepare you for in advance. Saying goodbye takes a long time and Sophie and her grandmother's journey North takes a long time. And it's not easy. There are times when you are stuck. There are times when you feel complete and utter exhaustion...like nothing can give you strength again. You feel broken and lost and alone. Sometimes on the journey you receive help and comfort. You feel like you are making progress. And then you aren't. And then you are again. And then finally, you come back to life. Slowly, yet surely.
I loved this book and highly recommend it. You really have to read it yourself to experience the amazingness of it all. If you do read it, I'd love to hear what you think!
September 29, 2017
Teen fantasy/folklore...not my typical genre but when I want to read something fun, light, and fast...then I go for it. The Girl Who Came Back to Life: A Fairytale by Craig Staufenberg is a lovely read. A young girl that wants to bring her dead parents back to life. I think that is what I enjoyed about the book....it has its complexities. It is more than just a fairytale for young adults. It challenges thoughts. We think fairytale and we think ogres and princesses and wicked stepmoms and castles....same premise, same backdrops, same same. Not with this story. You deal with feelings...real feelings. Happiness...extreme sadness...loss...mourning...betrayal...etc. A complex read...fantastic....unique. VERY UNIQUE. I really enjoyed it. I don't want to say anything more about this book. I don't want to talk about the characters...I don't want to give away any parts. I think the reader should just trust that it's good...go in and read it. I did...and I think I enjoyed the surprise of how great this story is all the more having done that.
Thanks as always to the wonderful peeps of goodreads, and to Craig Staufenberg for my free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.
Thanks as always to the wonderful peeps of goodreads, and to Craig Staufenberg for my free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review to which I gladly and voluntarily gave.
October 12, 2017
So I got a free eBook copy from the author (check the book description!) and started reading it right away. I enjoyed this story so much! At first I was a bit annoyed at the main character and how she behaved and when she but in the end she did redeem herself. This is a beautiful story about how we have to struggle to accept death and the passing of our loved ones. It's not an easy task but a painful and long road ahead of us but, in the end, goodbye is necessary both for them to move on and also for us, to avoid being stuck in a snow storm with our own heat and life leaving us (which is a great comparison to the depressive state we enter when we lose a loved one).
This book is really amazing and I recommend it for everyone because I honestly think the lesson in this book is needed - for everyone - at some point in our lives.
This book is really amazing and I recommend it for everyone because I honestly think the lesson in this book is needed - for everyone - at some point in our lives.
September 4, 2018
I actually finished this book a while ago but just got the time to do a review about it. This book actually reminded more of historical fiction even though a lot of readers claim it as a fairytale story. I do enjoy this book a lot and I adore the 12 year old girl, Sophie’s character. For me, she is a strong girl. The whole story is a very sad story. The story did entertain me but there are some parts that made feel a bit boring. Hence, it is a book that I recommend if you love a fairytale story!
October 23, 2017
So I received a copy of this book from the author himself for an honest review. I really loved this book. I loved Sophie our character who is such a little spitfire. The whole journey of going to the City of the Dead was so beautifully written and I mean some parts you can actually relate to in your life. The world building and the character development was done so well. This book just warmed my heart up and I would highly recommend everyone to pick this up. 4.5/5 stars
March 29, 2018
Great Writing!!
I gave this book as many stars as I could. It was so good I couldn't put it down. It kept my interest and I really never knew where the story would go. I loved that I couldn't predict all of the plots.
I gave this book as many stars as I could. It was so good I couldn't put it down. It kept my interest and I really never knew where the story would go. I loved that I couldn't predict all of the plots.
May 22, 2018
Before I start my review about this book, I would like to thank the author for giving me a chance to own a physical copy of this book "The Girl Who Came Back to Life"
Three words to describe this book. It was amazing!
I really admire Sophie's dedication in life I mean in her age she's so brave!
The plot is simple and clear. And what I loved the most is Sophie's adventure.
It's a must read especially to those who loves fairy tales like me!
Three words to describe this book. It was amazing!
I really admire Sophie's dedication in life I mean in her age she's so brave!
The plot is simple and clear. And what I loved the most is Sophie's adventure.
It's a must read especially to those who loves fairy tales like me!
January 8, 2018
I hated putting this book down. Then, near the last 30 pages, I hated picking it up because I didn't want the story to end.
September 19, 2017
Craig Staufenberg's book, "The Girl Who Came Back to Life: A Fairytale is a wonderful parable that says so much about the processes of life and death as well as making a statement about all those beautiful, unexpected connections between people that happen throughout life."
I loved this book!
I loved this book!
October 14, 2014
When 12 year old Sophie loses her parents suddenly, her entire life is flipped upside down. She is forced to live with her cold grandmother, who barely acknowledges her existence. In the midst of this, Sophie knows she has to take on the monumental task of being the one to make the perilous journey North to lay her parents' spirits to rest.
Sophie is a strong girl. Once she sets her mind to something, she sees it through, no matter what stands in her way. Though she makes some not so smart spur of the moment decisions, she is mature enough to deal with the consequences and set things right as best she can.
One thing I found intriguing about this story is that the only character who has an actual name is Sophie. Everyone else in her world is referred to as what they are: "the baker," "the soldier," "the grandmother." They are also sort of anti-stereotypical of what you'd think the characters would be. Though you don't get to know most of the other characters very deeply, you get to know enough to learn that everyone has more than one side.
There were some very touching moments towards the end, and though the story didn't have a traditional happily ever after, you get the sense that everything will be OK for Sophie.
Sophie is a strong girl. Once she sets her mind to something, she sees it through, no matter what stands in her way. Though she makes some not so smart spur of the moment decisions, she is mature enough to deal with the consequences and set things right as best she can.
One thing I found intriguing about this story is that the only character who has an actual name is Sophie. Everyone else in her world is referred to as what they are: "the baker," "the soldier," "the grandmother." They are also sort of anti-stereotypical of what you'd think the characters would be. Though you don't get to know most of the other characters very deeply, you get to know enough to learn that everyone has more than one side.
There were some very touching moments towards the end, and though the story didn't have a traditional happily ever after, you get the sense that everything will be OK for Sophie.
March 26, 2022
This book will teach you how to let go and move on. Easy and awesome read! 5 freezing stars!
January 18, 2018
In terms of atmosphere and quest elements, this incredibly short (read in less than a day) piece reminded me of Kazuo Ishiguro's "The Buried Giant." However, instead of an old couple journeying through fogs and weather and other humans to see their distant-living, son, here you have a 12 year old girl Sophie and her aloof grandmother making their laborious way to the City of the Dead where Sophie's parents and grandfather exist in a blizzardy limbo. According to what Sophie has been told, the only way her parents and anyone can ever progress from this undead holding pen is when they are sent away via an official, sincere, goodbye from their loved ones. People in Sophie's world make the journey north to ensure their loved ones do progress into an afterlife that hopefully involves at least a tad more heat and color.
Problematic for me as I was reading was Sophie's sense of disconnect from the world. Granted she's just lost her parents and seemingly has nobody else in the community who has any interest in supporting her emotionally or otherwise, but the only way we as readers can gain access into her mind is if we're aware of how much an impact her parents had on her life. I found it hard to care for her myself when at first she's seemingly so loving of her parents that she wants to raid the frozen purgatory and bring them back, only a few scenes later to be introduced to how she sort of adopted an isolated life based on how they were living themselves. And that's it. Other than a brief view of them in purgatory at the end, we don't have any foundation establishing scenes to make Sophie's love of them matter to us as readers. I feel this work could have benefited greatly for more foundational scenes involving the parents, the ultimate reason Sophie is set on this quest of hers.
The character with the strongest, most believable, and foundationally built reason for going on this quest is Gram. Here's a lady who loves her deceased husband so much she makes a plate for his grave on a regular basis and reads daily a letter he wrote to her. Their love was enough to get her through most of the arduous treks of the journey with a regular eight hours of sleep each night, and her rummy skills were also put to good use along the way. However, we're forced to just accept immediately that because Gram and Mom didn't get along, Gram won't treat Sophie well either. I found this too simplistic. Instead of developing our understanding of what the rift is that caused the falling out between Gram and Mom immediately, something easily accomplished in this tell don't show work, we're forced to wait for a less than comprehensive explanation for that original source of tension. For me, the conflict between Gram and Sophie just wasn't believable. The few glimmers of kindness expressed between the two was hopeful and made both seem more human, but if you don't understand why they're not supposed to get along, it's hard to see the supposed tension between them. Gram's immediate belief that Sophie would steal from her just didn't read sensibly here, at least for me.
All this said, other than four grammatical errors that popped out at me as I read, it's not an uninteresting read. The strongest developed location was the bakery so it was nice to use that as a cyclical focus and a true home for Sophie. A quest by its nature elevates the surroundings so you do get a play by play of the terrain passed over and the boarding houses utilized. The entire world seems appropriately bleak and man eat man which coincides nicely with Sophie's grey adjacent mentality. I only wish that this had been written in a more show, don't tell, manner.
Problematic for me as I was reading was Sophie's sense of disconnect from the world. Granted she's just lost her parents and seemingly has nobody else in the community who has any interest in supporting her emotionally or otherwise, but the only way we as readers can gain access into her mind is if we're aware of how much an impact her parents had on her life. I found it hard to care for her myself when at first she's seemingly so loving of her parents that she wants to raid the frozen purgatory and bring them back, only a few scenes later to be introduced to how she sort of adopted an isolated life based on how they were living themselves. And that's it. Other than a brief view of them in purgatory at the end, we don't have any foundation establishing scenes to make Sophie's love of them matter to us as readers. I feel this work could have benefited greatly for more foundational scenes involving the parents, the ultimate reason Sophie is set on this quest of hers.
The character with the strongest, most believable, and foundationally built reason for going on this quest is Gram. Here's a lady who loves her deceased husband so much she makes a plate for his grave on a regular basis and reads daily a letter he wrote to her. Their love was enough to get her through most of the arduous treks of the journey with a regular eight hours of sleep each night, and her rummy skills were also put to good use along the way. However, we're forced to just accept immediately that because Gram and Mom didn't get along, Gram won't treat Sophie well either. I found this too simplistic. Instead of developing our understanding of what the rift is that caused the falling out between Gram and Mom immediately, something easily accomplished in this tell don't show work, we're forced to wait for a less than comprehensive explanation for that original source of tension. For me, the conflict between Gram and Sophie just wasn't believable. The few glimmers of kindness expressed between the two was hopeful and made both seem more human, but if you don't understand why they're not supposed to get along, it's hard to see the supposed tension between them. Gram's immediate belief that Sophie would steal from her just didn't read sensibly here, at least for me.
All this said, other than four grammatical errors that popped out at me as I read, it's not an uninteresting read. The strongest developed location was the bakery so it was nice to use that as a cyclical focus and a true home for Sophie. A quest by its nature elevates the surroundings so you do get a play by play of the terrain passed over and the boarding houses utilized. The entire world seems appropriately bleak and man eat man which coincides nicely with Sophie's grey adjacent mentality. I only wish that this had been written in a more show, don't tell, manner.
September 24, 2025
Staufenberg spins a spare, luminous modern folktale about grief and the quiet courage of letting go. Twelve-year-old Sophie, newly orphaned, lives in a world where the dead linger in a frozen northern city until a loved one journeys there to “Send” them on with a final goodbye. Refusing this ritual, Sophie sets out with her stern grandmother to bring her parents’ spirits back. Along the way, she works in a bakery where bread won’t rise until she learns to infuse it with love, runs nightly to burn off the restless fire of grief, and plays cards with strangers who slowly draw her into their circle. Each encounter pushes Sophie toward a truth she resists: that love’s greatest act is release.
Staufenberg crafts a story that feels both timeless and freshly alive; he blends the clarity of a fable with the layered emotions of a coming-of-age quest. His prose is lean and luminous, evoking the groan of weary trains, the hush of snowbound platforms, and the lingering ache of grief without a trace of sentimentality. The novel holds its power in the perfect harmony between the physical journey and the young heroine’s inner awakening. Every meeting imparts understated lessons in love, bravery, and the art of carrying grief with grace. Staufenberg sidesteps melodrama. Instead, he focuses on how grief gently reshapes the heart’s duties and desires. What emerges is a quietly tense and deeply empathetic narrative that turns a young traveler’s quest into a resonant meditation on love, loss, and the hard-won freedom of release. A stunner.
Staufenberg crafts a story that feels both timeless and freshly alive; he blends the clarity of a fable with the layered emotions of a coming-of-age quest. His prose is lean and luminous, evoking the groan of weary trains, the hush of snowbound platforms, and the lingering ache of grief without a trace of sentimentality. The novel holds its power in the perfect harmony between the physical journey and the young heroine’s inner awakening. Every meeting imparts understated lessons in love, bravery, and the art of carrying grief with grace. Staufenberg sidesteps melodrama. Instead, he focuses on how grief gently reshapes the heart’s duties and desires. What emerges is a quietly tense and deeply empathetic narrative that turns a young traveler’s quest into a resonant meditation on love, loss, and the hard-won freedom of release. A stunner.
September 24, 2017
I won a copy of this book during a goodreads giveaway.
This book was an easy read and had good bones. That being said, I did not enjoy the story. If it had been longer and developed the characters and the story a lot more, I would have liked it. It did not wrap up well. Disappointed because I was really excited to read this one.
This book was an easy read and had good bones. That being said, I did not enjoy the story. If it had been longer and developed the characters and the story a lot more, I would have liked it. It did not wrap up well. Disappointed because I was really excited to read this one.
September 9, 2018
I received this book thanks to a Goodreads giveaway.
I absolutely loved this book, there's not much I can say but that it's beautiful. The story broke my heart many times, but it was so beautiful.
The short chapters made for a very fast and easy reading, which is always appreciated.
I loved the characters and the way they were described, the author has a wonderful style.
Totally recommend this book.
I absolutely loved this book, there's not much I can say but that it's beautiful. The story broke my heart many times, but it was so beautiful.
The short chapters made for a very fast and easy reading, which is always appreciated.
I loved the characters and the way they were described, the author has a wonderful style.
Totally recommend this book.
October 26, 2017
I'm giving this unbiased review in exchange for a free copy that I kindly received from the author.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the same fluffy experience that some other reviewers had with the story, but enjoyed it nevertheless.
Unfortunately, I didn't have the same fluffy experience that some other reviewers had with the story, but enjoyed it nevertheless.
September 12, 2017
Quite an interesting book. I won it through Good Reads. Good read for someone trying to understand the grief process.
December 5, 2018
The Girl Who Came Back to Life by Craig Staufenberg... The book that resided on my currently reading bookshelf for quite a long time.... A fantasy beyond my grasp...
January 3, 2021
Thoughtful
A dystopian view on the journey to letting go of those lost in this world and allowing them to pass on into the next.
A dystopian view on the journey to letting go of those lost in this world and allowing them to pass on into the next.
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