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Little Nothing
A Huffington Post Book Club Suggestion - An O: The Oprah Magazine Fall Pick - A LitHub Book You Should Read This September - One of The Millions' "Most Anticipated" for 2016
"Marisa Silver's beguiling new novel Little Nothing is a powerful exploration of the relationship between our changeable bodies and our just as malleable identities...Silver's storytelling skills are finely matched to her themes...meditative passages bloom with life."
--Matt Bell, The New York Times Book Review
A stunning, provocative new novel from New York Times bestselling author Marisa Silver, Little Nothing is the story of a girl, scorned for her physical deformity, whose passion and salvation lie in her otherworldly ability to transform herself and the world around her.
In an unnamed country at the beginning of the last century, a child called Pavla is born to peasant parents. Her arrival, fervently anticipated and conceived in part by gypsy tonics and archaic prescriptions, stuns her parents and brings outrage and scorn from her community. Pavla has been born a dwarf, beautiful in face, but as the years pass, she grows no farther than the edge of her crib. When her parents turn to the treatments of a local charlatan, his terrifying cure opens the floodgates of persecution for Pavla. Little Nothing unfolds across a lifetime of unimaginable, magical transformation in and out of human form, as an outcast girl becomes a hunted woman whose ultimate survival depends on the most startling transfiguration of them all. Woven throughout is the journey of Danilo, the young man entranced by Pavla, obsessed only with protecting her. Part allegory about the shifting nature of being, part subversive fairy tale of love in all its uncanny guises, Little Nothing spans the beginning of a new century, the disintegration of ancient superstitions, and the adoption of industry and invention. With a cast of remarkable characters, a wholly original story, and extraordinary, page-turning prose, Marisa Silver delivers a novel of sheer electricity.
From the Hardcover edition.
"Marisa Silver's beguiling new novel Little Nothing is a powerful exploration of the relationship between our changeable bodies and our just as malleable identities...Silver's storytelling skills are finely matched to her themes...meditative passages bloom with life."
--Matt Bell, The New York Times Book Review
A stunning, provocative new novel from New York Times bestselling author Marisa Silver, Little Nothing is the story of a girl, scorned for her physical deformity, whose passion and salvation lie in her otherworldly ability to transform herself and the world around her.
In an unnamed country at the beginning of the last century, a child called Pavla is born to peasant parents. Her arrival, fervently anticipated and conceived in part by gypsy tonics and archaic prescriptions, stuns her parents and brings outrage and scorn from her community. Pavla has been born a dwarf, beautiful in face, but as the years pass, she grows no farther than the edge of her crib. When her parents turn to the treatments of a local charlatan, his terrifying cure opens the floodgates of persecution for Pavla. Little Nothing unfolds across a lifetime of unimaginable, magical transformation in and out of human form, as an outcast girl becomes a hunted woman whose ultimate survival depends on the most startling transfiguration of them all. Woven throughout is the journey of Danilo, the young man entranced by Pavla, obsessed only with protecting her. Part allegory about the shifting nature of being, part subversive fairy tale of love in all its uncanny guises, Little Nothing spans the beginning of a new century, the disintegration of ancient superstitions, and the adoption of industry and invention. With a cast of remarkable characters, a wholly original story, and extraordinary, page-turning prose, Marisa Silver delivers a novel of sheer electricity.
From the Hardcover edition.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2016
87 people are currently reading
4488 people want to read
About the author
Marisa Silver
20 books255 followersMarisa Silver is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel,
Mary Coin
(published by Blue Rider Press, March 7th, 2013).
Marisa Silver directed her first film, Old Enough, while she studied at Harvard University. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 1984, when Silver was 23. Silver went on to direct three more feature films, Permanent Record (1988), with Keanu Reeves, Vital Signs (1990) and He Said, She Said (1991), with Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Perkins. The latter was co-directed with her husband-to-be, Ken Kwapis.
After making her career in Hollywood, she switched her profession and entered graduate school to become a short story writer. Her first short story appeared in The New Yorker magazine in 2000 and subsequently several more stories have been published there.
Silver also published the short-story collection, Babe in Paradise, in 2001. That collection was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and was a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year. A story from the collection was included in The Best American Short Stories 2000. In 2005, she published No Direction Home and in 2008, The God of War was published to great acclaim.
Marisa Silver directed her first film, Old Enough, while she studied at Harvard University. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 1984, when Silver was 23. Silver went on to direct three more feature films, Permanent Record (1988), with Keanu Reeves, Vital Signs (1990) and He Said, She Said (1991), with Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth Perkins. The latter was co-directed with her husband-to-be, Ken Kwapis.
After making her career in Hollywood, she switched her profession and entered graduate school to become a short story writer. Her first short story appeared in The New Yorker magazine in 2000 and subsequently several more stories have been published there.
Silver also published the short-story collection, Babe in Paradise, in 2001. That collection was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and was a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year. A story from the collection was included in The Best American Short Stories 2000. In 2005, she published No Direction Home and in 2008, The God of War was published to great acclaim.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
March 10, 2017
Cruel and wonderful and vivid and original and beautifully imagined and I absolutely adored it.
This is one of those books where I am not sure if I can adequately put into words why I enjoyed it so much, so please bear with me while I try. I went into this book nearly blind and I think this was the best way. You cannot say what this book is about because telling it would spoil some of its magic, so here is my decription in the most vague way possible:
It is about a girl who is a bit different and the way the world reacts to her. It is about love and regret and family ties. It is about wrong decisions and right decisions and about finding a place in a world that doesn't make sense. It is about cruelty - cruelty of war, of mistreatment of the sick, but most of all about the cruelty we can inflict on the ones we love.
I struggled with defining the genre for my bookshelves: is it historical fiction? Is it magical realism? Is it a fairy tale retelling? In the end, it is a bit of everything and this is one of the reasons why it worked so well for me. Everything was unpredictable but still made sense when it happened. I adored the matter-of-factness used to describe things that are extraordinary, which is why I adore fairy tales so. I don't need for things to be explained and I was absolutely fine with not knowing why things happened the way they did.
Usually, books that keep me at arms length from their characters do not work for me, but this time I did not care. While I didn't really have an emotional response to the characters I had one for the absolutely bloody brilliant story told and the way it is built and the descriptions of the world.
___
I received an arc of this book curtesy of NetGalley and Oneworld Publications in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
This is one of those books where I am not sure if I can adequately put into words why I enjoyed it so much, so please bear with me while I try. I went into this book nearly blind and I think this was the best way. You cannot say what this book is about because telling it would spoil some of its magic, so here is my decription in the most vague way possible:
It is about a girl who is a bit different and the way the world reacts to her. It is about love and regret and family ties. It is about wrong decisions and right decisions and about finding a place in a world that doesn't make sense. It is about cruelty - cruelty of war, of mistreatment of the sick, but most of all about the cruelty we can inflict on the ones we love.
I struggled with defining the genre for my bookshelves: is it historical fiction? Is it magical realism? Is it a fairy tale retelling? In the end, it is a bit of everything and this is one of the reasons why it worked so well for me. Everything was unpredictable but still made sense when it happened. I adored the matter-of-factness used to describe things that are extraordinary, which is why I adore fairy tales so. I don't need for things to be explained and I was absolutely fine with not knowing why things happened the way they did.
Usually, books that keep me at arms length from their characters do not work for me, but this time I did not care. While I didn't really have an emotional response to the characters I had one for the absolutely bloody brilliant story told and the way it is built and the descriptions of the world.
___
I received an arc of this book curtesy of NetGalley and Oneworld Publications in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
September 9, 2016
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
What a delightful story this book turned out to be! I am really not sure what made me request this book when I saw it offered on First to Read. The cover is okay but nothing amazing. I have never read any other books written by Marisa Silver. Something made me request this one and I am so glad that I did. I was sucked into the story and ended up reading almost all of it in a single day. When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. This story is a definite win for me.
I will say that this is a strange book. I like strange stories so it worked out well for me but I am not sure that everyone will enjoy all the aspects of this story as much as I did. This book is almost like a fairy tale for adults with a bit of magic sprinkled throughout. I was enchanted by all of the magical realism that made up this story.
I started reading this book just before going to bed which ended up being a huge mistake because I didn't want to put it down once I started. The way that this story begins was hard to get out of my mind. I was immediately in love with the style of writing found throughout the story. As I continued to read, I started to fall in love with the characters and that love grew throughout the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is a story where you can expect the unexpected and suspend your knowledge of what is real for a while and just enjoy the journey. This is the first book by Marisa Silver that I have read but I will be looking for more of her work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Blue Rider Press via First to Read for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
This was a strange book...but I like strange books so it worked out well for me :)
What a delightful story this book turned out to be! I am really not sure what made me request this book when I saw it offered on First to Read. The cover is okay but nothing amazing. I have never read any other books written by Marisa Silver. Something made me request this one and I am so glad that I did. I was sucked into the story and ended up reading almost all of it in a single day. When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it. This story is a definite win for me.
I will say that this is a strange book. I like strange stories so it worked out well for me but I am not sure that everyone will enjoy all the aspects of this story as much as I did. This book is almost like a fairy tale for adults with a bit of magic sprinkled throughout. I was enchanted by all of the magical realism that made up this story.
I started reading this book just before going to bed which ended up being a huge mistake because I didn't want to put it down once I started. The way that this story begins was hard to get out of my mind. I was immediately in love with the style of writing found throughout the story. As I continued to read, I started to fall in love with the characters and that love grew throughout the story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is a story where you can expect the unexpected and suspend your knowledge of what is real for a while and just enjoy the journey. This is the first book by Marisa Silver that I have read but I will be looking for more of her work in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Blue Rider Press via First to Read for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Initial Thoughts
This was a strange book...but I like strange books so it worked out well for me :)
May 17, 2017
I received this via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own:).
---
Nice concept and beautiful writing but overall felt disconnected and confused most of the time.
This is one where you'll either love it or hate it methinks.. or maybe it is one of those where there is a "niche" for certain audience *shrugs*
2.5 overall (extra points for the creativity of the story)
---
Nice concept and beautiful writing but overall felt disconnected and confused most of the time.
This is one where you'll either love it or hate it methinks.. or maybe it is one of those where there is a "niche" for certain audience *shrugs*
2.5 overall (extra points for the creativity of the story)
February 15, 2017
...out of nothing comes everything.
I liked this, but must admit that I was expecting to love it. I think there were a few reasons for this, the biggest being that because of all the changes in the main character I had a very hard time connecting to her. It almost felt like I was reading short stories connected by a theme, more than an actual novel about one character. I really enjoyed the dwarf and the wolf story, but not the carnival show part. I was expecting magical realism, so some of the fantasy elements felt a bit over the top. The ending and the characters of Danilo and especially Marcus were very well done. Please don't skip this book because of me, there are many rave reviews, and if you enjoy a dark and different type of fairytale you should try this.
July 30, 2016
[I received an ARC copy of this book from firsttoread.com]
There is a lot I can say about Little Nothing but somehow the words just don’t seem to come. This particular book left me with a book hangover. That feeling where just need more, no other book could possibly satisfy the massive void this book has left inside of you.
I want to say that this book did not always have this hold on me, there was a time I did not understand what it was trying to say. Pavla’s story arc is sometimes confusing and slow, highly unbelievable. Danilo’s story kept me going. His push, his drive. His story arc was interesting to me, everything he went through was exciting.
Towards the end I felt like I was holding a book with two polar opposite characters. One I cared about and one I truly didn’t. But I will give you a gift, and I’ve thought a lot about whether this is a spoiler or not and I think not. This book isn’t about Pavla at all. This book is about Danilo and his love for Pavla, his drive to always protect her and his desire to be with her always. Her story arc is necessary to understand and know because it drives him forward as a character. When everything wrapped up at the end and I was able to look at the book as a whole and understand and reflect on the hows and whys of everything I was forced to come to terms with the fact that, though I didn’t love Pavla myself, I loved Danilo and his love for Pavla made me love this book in ways I couldn’t explain.
On a more technical side, Marisa Silver paints her novel with prose and dialect that is artistic and beautiful. Reading her words reminds me of painting. You can get lost in her descriptions and storytelling and I certainly did many times. (People who know me know I read at work, this was not always a good thing.)
I had said many times during conversation that this was a book that was good but if I had to recommend a book off the top of my head this probably wouldn’t be one of them. I am taking back that statement. I would definitely recommend this book, but do take the time, upon finishing, to reflect and understand what you’ve just read. This is not a book you can simply take a face value.
There is a lot I can say about Little Nothing but somehow the words just don’t seem to come. This particular book left me with a book hangover. That feeling where just need more, no other book could possibly satisfy the massive void this book has left inside of you.
I want to say that this book did not always have this hold on me, there was a time I did not understand what it was trying to say. Pavla’s story arc is sometimes confusing and slow, highly unbelievable. Danilo’s story kept me going. His push, his drive. His story arc was interesting to me, everything he went through was exciting.
Towards the end I felt like I was holding a book with two polar opposite characters. One I cared about and one I truly didn’t. But I will give you a gift, and I’ve thought a lot about whether this is a spoiler or not and I think not. This book isn’t about Pavla at all. This book is about Danilo and his love for Pavla, his drive to always protect her and his desire to be with her always. Her story arc is necessary to understand and know because it drives him forward as a character. When everything wrapped up at the end and I was able to look at the book as a whole and understand and reflect on the hows and whys of everything I was forced to come to terms with the fact that, though I didn’t love Pavla myself, I loved Danilo and his love for Pavla made me love this book in ways I couldn’t explain.
On a more technical side, Marisa Silver paints her novel with prose and dialect that is artistic and beautiful. Reading her words reminds me of painting. You can get lost in her descriptions and storytelling and I certainly did many times. (People who know me know I read at work, this was not always a good thing.)
I had said many times during conversation that this was a book that was good but if I had to recommend a book off the top of my head this probably wouldn’t be one of them. I am taking back that statement. I would definitely recommend this book, but do take the time, upon finishing, to reflect and understand what you’ve just read. This is not a book you can simply take a face value.
February 13, 2017
3 ½ stars
After many years of hoping for children an elderly couple finally gets their hearts desire. A daughter. But she is not like other children, she is perfect in every way except that she is a dwarf.
Pavla is a happy child but her parents, wanting a normal life for Pavla takes her from doctor to doctor in the hopes of finding a cure.
When finally, one of these “doctors” finishes with Pavla, she is no longer a dwarf, but she is no longer fully human, either. Due to this radical transformation, the “doctor” suggests that Pavla stays with him and tours the country. This becomes no more than a freak show, with the doctor’s assistant Danilo trailing along, completely besotted with Pavla.
The story and Pavla goes through many transformations, some of which I liked, and others that I loved. And this is where my confliction with the story lies. The first two sections as described above had a Grimm Brothers feel to it and had the story stayed in this vein it would have been a nice 3 stars for me.
However once Pavla and Danilo’s paths split the story became something deeper. The writing was captivating and held my attention more. As the story progressed and focused more on Danilo it felt as if Pavla’s original story doesn’t fit into the story anymore. As if this is two very different novels that was mashed together. The link between Pavla and Danilo also felt strongest when they were split up.
The first part was heavy on the folksy magical realism but I feel the story only found its stride after the half way mark. My favourite books on magical realism are those that are so subtle with the magical part that you can almost pretend that it’s a product of the character’s imagination.
Danilo’s character has his feet firmly in reality, a reality that deals with the ravages of war, prison, stolen orphans and the wonders of his hidden talents.
Pavla’s character is walking the flimsy line between overly fantastical and believable. A character I only really started liking after she left the freak show.
I initially wanted to round up my rating to a full 4 stars because the latter part of this book stole my heart but now I have had a little time to mull this over a 3 1/2 is better suited.
If you are willing to take a chance and try something peculiar yet very original, then perhaps this book will also weave its magic around you.
After many years of hoping for children an elderly couple finally gets their hearts desire. A daughter. But she is not like other children, she is perfect in every way except that she is a dwarf.
Pavla is a happy child but her parents, wanting a normal life for Pavla takes her from doctor to doctor in the hopes of finding a cure.
When finally, one of these “doctors” finishes with Pavla, she is no longer a dwarf, but she is no longer fully human, either. Due to this radical transformation, the “doctor” suggests that Pavla stays with him and tours the country. This becomes no more than a freak show, with the doctor’s assistant Danilo trailing along, completely besotted with Pavla.
The story and Pavla goes through many transformations, some of which I liked, and others that I loved. And this is where my confliction with the story lies. The first two sections as described above had a Grimm Brothers feel to it and had the story stayed in this vein it would have been a nice 3 stars for me.
However once Pavla and Danilo’s paths split the story became something deeper. The writing was captivating and held my attention more. As the story progressed and focused more on Danilo it felt as if Pavla’s original story doesn’t fit into the story anymore. As if this is two very different novels that was mashed together. The link between Pavla and Danilo also felt strongest when they were split up.
The first part was heavy on the folksy magical realism but I feel the story only found its stride after the half way mark. My favourite books on magical realism are those that are so subtle with the magical part that you can almost pretend that it’s a product of the character’s imagination.
Danilo’s character has his feet firmly in reality, a reality that deals with the ravages of war, prison, stolen orphans and the wonders of his hidden talents.
Pavla’s character is walking the flimsy line between overly fantastical and believable. A character I only really started liking after she left the freak show.
I initially wanted to round up my rating to a full 4 stars because the latter part of this book stole my heart but now I have had a little time to mull this over a 3 1/2 is better suited.
If you are willing to take a chance and try something peculiar yet very original, then perhaps this book will also weave its magic around you.
August 24, 2017
3.5 stars
Really hard for me to review this book. It was good - for me - because this is the type book-break I needed. However, at a different time and place I might not have liked this book as much as I did.
A fable, folklore, mystical - all apply, but really don't describe this book. It tells the story of a deformed girl, Pavla, who was scorned, even originally by her Mother, who ended up in a traveling circus side show. She meets Danilo - who is part of her act. He falls in love with her. Over time she morphs into a wolf and runs away. Danilo searches for her, finds her more than once, and saves her. By stories end, she has morphed back into a human - one imprisoned. Danilo finds her again. However Pavla is not done "becoming". The end of the book has another twist.
Left to determine your own story conclusion, I felt that I was left wanting. It would be nice to have a follow up story about Pavla, however I do not feel that is in the future. The writing was good, the story palatable, once you understand it's premise, and as I stated earlier, the book that I needed to interrupt my past reading collection.
Thank you to BookBrowse for the copy in exchange for a discussion and review.
Really hard for me to review this book. It was good - for me - because this is the type book-break I needed. However, at a different time and place I might not have liked this book as much as I did.
A fable, folklore, mystical - all apply, but really don't describe this book. It tells the story of a deformed girl, Pavla, who was scorned, even originally by her Mother, who ended up in a traveling circus side show. She meets Danilo - who is part of her act. He falls in love with her. Over time she morphs into a wolf and runs away. Danilo searches for her, finds her more than once, and saves her. By stories end, she has morphed back into a human - one imprisoned. Danilo finds her again. However Pavla is not done "becoming". The end of the book has another twist.
Left to determine your own story conclusion, I felt that I was left wanting. It would be nice to have a follow up story about Pavla, however I do not feel that is in the future. The writing was good, the story palatable, once you understand it's premise, and as I stated earlier, the book that I needed to interrupt my past reading collection.
Thank you to BookBrowse for the copy in exchange for a discussion and review.
December 16, 2021
I feel so uncertain how to rate this. It was strange and very surreal and in a way not my kind of thing at all, but there was something about it that was compelling and powerful and I found myself drawn back to it. A good one for fans of Angela Carter, I think.
April 19, 2016
What a strange, wonderful book.
At first glance, she is a woman--an odd woman, to be sure, but a woman nonetheless. But over the course of the novel, Pavla is more than any one form, although Danilo, the man who loves her, is only ever a man. LITTLE NOTHING is a story of war, of fairy tales, of magic and home witchcraft and the fine line separating human and animal. It is impossible to describe--and it is wonderful.
At first glance, she is a woman--an odd woman, to be sure, but a woman nonetheless. But over the course of the novel, Pavla is more than any one form, although Danilo, the man who loves her, is only ever a man. LITTLE NOTHING is a story of war, of fairy tales, of magic and home witchcraft and the fine line separating human and animal. It is impossible to describe--and it is wonderful.
September 11, 2016
A very, very unusual story. Certainly a lot of symbolism and metaphors. It really didn't work for me but for someone in the right frame of mind. It will be a lovely reading experience. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 31, 2016
"Here it is: one of you will be brave, one of you will be a coward. One of you will believe. One of you will doubt."
(visit my blog https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com...)
This is a bizarre novel with a magical, dreamlike quality. As stated in the summary Pavla is born to peasants who took part in gypsy tonics, archaic prescriptions. Per the gypsy's instructions 'bathing in the piss of a newborn piglet." When she is born 'ugly' to the small minded peasant parents and ignorant village Pavla is simply 'the thing', 'no one mentions that the baby has hair the color of her dead grandmother, Ljuba"...Pavla is marked as an outcast, like all things different. Eventually her mother will love her, her heart 'will expand to make room for the brew of awe and heartache that she has come to identify as happiness." The writing has a folktale vibe which feeds the atmosphere of the village. Little Nothing is what Pavla is called but she isn't always an outsider. There is more to her that makes her 'strange' than just being a 'dwarf'. Per the Doctor's instructions, planting her in the ground like a bad seed won't make her grow into a tall sunflower anymore than any of the strange remedies and potions have 'cured' her of her strangeness. In fact she becomes more infected with 'otherness'. Becoming instead "two things men have a need to routinely destroy: animals and women" she is soon a 'freak' of sorts.
Danilo is wrapped up in Pavla protecting and maybe hurting her (though his intentions were good). Where others see 'ugliness' he is drawn into it, fascinated even- championing her. Is she real? Is Pavla a dwarf, a woman, a wolf or all those things and more? This novel is about her transformations, about belief and disbelief. It is by far the strangest novel I have read all year and it may not be everyone's taste. Like any 'folktale' there is heavy meaning in the odd telling. It is funny, crude, heartbreaking- just as odd a mixture as a gypsy's potion. But there is something that kept my on this journey. Through war, imprisonment she is 'there and not there' and Danilo is simply the cowardly man who may or may not have her love. Dizzying fun for those who enjoy strange stories.
(visit my blog https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com...)
This is a bizarre novel with a magical, dreamlike quality. As stated in the summary Pavla is born to peasants who took part in gypsy tonics, archaic prescriptions. Per the gypsy's instructions 'bathing in the piss of a newborn piglet." When she is born 'ugly' to the small minded peasant parents and ignorant village Pavla is simply 'the thing', 'no one mentions that the baby has hair the color of her dead grandmother, Ljuba"...Pavla is marked as an outcast, like all things different. Eventually her mother will love her, her heart 'will expand to make room for the brew of awe and heartache that she has come to identify as happiness." The writing has a folktale vibe which feeds the atmosphere of the village. Little Nothing is what Pavla is called but she isn't always an outsider. There is more to her that makes her 'strange' than just being a 'dwarf'. Per the Doctor's instructions, planting her in the ground like a bad seed won't make her grow into a tall sunflower anymore than any of the strange remedies and potions have 'cured' her of her strangeness. In fact she becomes more infected with 'otherness'. Becoming instead "two things men have a need to routinely destroy: animals and women" she is soon a 'freak' of sorts.
Danilo is wrapped up in Pavla protecting and maybe hurting her (though his intentions were good). Where others see 'ugliness' he is drawn into it, fascinated even- championing her. Is she real? Is Pavla a dwarf, a woman, a wolf or all those things and more? This novel is about her transformations, about belief and disbelief. It is by far the strangest novel I have read all year and it may not be everyone's taste. Like any 'folktale' there is heavy meaning in the odd telling. It is funny, crude, heartbreaking- just as odd a mixture as a gypsy's potion. But there is something that kept my on this journey. Through war, imprisonment she is 'there and not there' and Danilo is simply the cowardly man who may or may not have her love. Dizzying fun for those who enjoy strange stories.
February 7, 2017
Reminiscent of the fairy tales of long ago, a compelling story of magic, tragedy and love. Pavla was born a dwarf, not the baby so longed for by her parents who tried for years to have a child. Despite knowing they would be shunned and ridiculed for their dwarf child, they slowly came to love Pavla. Yet, they still yearned for a "normal" daughter and sought treatments to make her grow. Through all of Pavla's transformations, she has the unrequited love of Danilo, who does everything he can to protect Pavla. The novel is grim and bleak, yet I was captivated by the spellbinding quality of the writing.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and I enjoyed the reader who made me feel as if I was sitting around a campfire listening to a great storyteller.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and I enjoyed the reader who made me feel as if I was sitting around a campfire listening to a great storyteller.
September 11, 2016
Amateurish is the first word that comes to mind. Take every fragment of every fairytale you know, chop it into tiny pieces, mix in an incomprehensible plot, thow in a war and you have Little Nothing. There is no character development, no driving theme to the plot, and lots of pointless/gratuitous scenes. Not to mention the writing is bad. I really expected more, especially considering the author has several other books with great reviews.
May 13, 2016
I really, really wanted to love this book. I thought Mary Coin was outstanding and expected great things from Silver, but instead I slogged through this very strange book that seems like a fairy tale, then a nature story, then a gothic story of the insane. With a main character who pointlessly changes form from a dwarf, to a wolf, to a fully formed woman and then to nothing, I kept expecting some kind of epiphany, some justification for the apparent randomness of these changes....but we ended with a whimper and the entire book seemed pointless and silly. The reason for the three stars is totally a bow to the writing which is very well done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2017
I read Mary Coin by Marisa Silver, and loved it. When I heard about a new book she was publishing, it was a MUST read for me. It did NOT disappoint. What a fabulous brilliant book! It was riveting! The story of a child born a dwarf to poor older parents a century ago, who is then scorned in the community. The child, Pavla, transforms, not only herself, but those around her as she herself is physically transformed. Other-worldly, part fairy tale, dark and complex, this imaginative inventive book is outstanding. Marisa Silver is a wonderful story teller who kept me bound to read each page.
August 25, 2018
“She believes her parents do not love her less, only that before, she had a child’s notion of love that did not include the small treacheries of delusion and fear and shame.”
This is not a book I should have liked, it's well out of my comfort zone, if I think of buzz words that wouldn't make me pick up a book this has them all "Magical Realism" "lyrical writing", "whimsical" the list is endless, however sometimes a book comes along out of your comfort zone through a subscription service and you pick it up and WHAM it hits you where it hurts and becomes one of your favourite books of the year.
I'm going to tell you nothing about the plot of this novel because I went into it blind and think it is better that way! I will say however that this book broke me in so many places, it made me laugh and feel hope too! this book wasn't what I excepted and I adored it!!
YOU SHOULD ALL READ IT RIGHT NOW :)
This is not a book I should have liked, it's well out of my comfort zone, if I think of buzz words that wouldn't make me pick up a book this has them all "Magical Realism" "lyrical writing", "whimsical" the list is endless, however sometimes a book comes along out of your comfort zone through a subscription service and you pick it up and WHAM it hits you where it hurts and becomes one of your favourite books of the year.
I'm going to tell you nothing about the plot of this novel because I went into it blind and think it is better that way! I will say however that this book broke me in so many places, it made me laugh and feel hope too! this book wasn't what I excepted and I adored it!!
YOU SHOULD ALL READ IT RIGHT NOW :)
June 13, 2017
This is the third novel I have read by Marisa Silver and it is amazing, definitely a contender for my top 25 of the year.
Pavla is born a dwarf in an unnamed Eastern European country on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. Her small village is steeped in superstition. At first her mother, who has at last had a child, cannot accept what she views as a freak. But both parents come to love this late life child, so that even though Pavla is tormented by the kids at school who call her Little Nothing, she has a loving family.
Eventually that love takes a weird turn as the aging parents worry about Pavla's future after they are no longer there to protect her. They begin taking her to doctors, one of whom claims that if he stretches the girl, she will grow. Thus ends the good part of the little person's life and thus enters horror.
At that point the novel takes a weird turn and becomes a dark folk tale. I will not say more except that there is a fractured love story, that Pavla is an admirable character of many levels, and that in Marisa Silver's hands the story takes you to places you will not expect but you will believe.
This is a novel about transformation, about how people deal with trouble and are changed by it. It is hard to put down and if you can suspend your disbelief it will bring you gifts.
Pavla is born a dwarf in an unnamed Eastern European country on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution. Her small village is steeped in superstition. At first her mother, who has at last had a child, cannot accept what she views as a freak. But both parents come to love this late life child, so that even though Pavla is tormented by the kids at school who call her Little Nothing, she has a loving family.
Eventually that love takes a weird turn as the aging parents worry about Pavla's future after they are no longer there to protect her. They begin taking her to doctors, one of whom claims that if he stretches the girl, she will grow. Thus ends the good part of the little person's life and thus enters horror.
At that point the novel takes a weird turn and becomes a dark folk tale. I will not say more except that there is a fractured love story, that Pavla is an admirable character of many levels, and that in Marisa Silver's hands the story takes you to places you will not expect but you will believe.
This is a novel about transformation, about how people deal with trouble and are changed by it. It is hard to put down and if you can suspend your disbelief it will bring you gifts.
December 11, 2018
Marisa Silver (author of Mary Coin) brings us a story that blends fantasy with reality to create a hybrid fable of the weird and the wonderful, of loss and of love and so much more. Find out why this gets a full five stars in my review of this book here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2016/08/1...
August 18, 2017
MY REVIEW OF "LITTLE NOTHING' by Marissa Silver
Marisa Silver has written a number of genres in her book"Little Nothing". This novel seems to have symbolic meanings for things on a deeper level. Perhaps it is the difference between good and evil. Perhaps it is dealing with the old and the new, or superstitions, magic, and even the timing at the turn of the century were there is a difference between ancient and modern. The genres for this book could be Fiction, "Subversive Fairy Tale", Thriller, and Folktale. Be warned this is a very dark, at times frightening, disgusting, horrific story. I certainly had trouble falling asleep after reading it. I found it to be disturbing, and I have to ask myself why I didn't stop reading. The easiest explanation is that the author has a way of telling a story, and I really wanted a happy ending.
The author describes her characters as complicated and complex. I find some of the characters despicable. I find some of the parts of this story despicable. Some of this story is very dark and twisted. Pavla is probably one of the innocent characters both to two elder people who had tried for years to have a baby. Desperate the mother turns to a witch or gypsy for strange tonics and strange prescriptions. Pavla is born with a physical deformity and it really takes a long time for her parents to accept her. Or do they? They turn to a charlatan claiming to be a doctor, and will do anything to fix this situation. Can Pavla be fixed? Do you want to know what happens?
It seems that only one person really cares for Pavla, and that person is an outcast as well.
There is some dark magic and superstitious beliefs that seem to surround the story.
I found some parts of the story unexplainable, or confusing. The timeline and plot seemed to jump around. For those people that like a dark and twisted tale I recommend this for you. If you like to look for symbolism and deeper meanings, this would be for you as well. I received a copy of this book for my honest review? Was there a happily ever after? You'll have to read this book to find out!
Marisa Silver has written a number of genres in her book"Little Nothing". This novel seems to have symbolic meanings for things on a deeper level. Perhaps it is the difference between good and evil. Perhaps it is dealing with the old and the new, or superstitions, magic, and even the timing at the turn of the century were there is a difference between ancient and modern. The genres for this book could be Fiction, "Subversive Fairy Tale", Thriller, and Folktale. Be warned this is a very dark, at times frightening, disgusting, horrific story. I certainly had trouble falling asleep after reading it. I found it to be disturbing, and I have to ask myself why I didn't stop reading. The easiest explanation is that the author has a way of telling a story, and I really wanted a happy ending.
The author describes her characters as complicated and complex. I find some of the characters despicable. I find some of the parts of this story despicable. Some of this story is very dark and twisted. Pavla is probably one of the innocent characters both to two elder people who had tried for years to have a baby. Desperate the mother turns to a witch or gypsy for strange tonics and strange prescriptions. Pavla is born with a physical deformity and it really takes a long time for her parents to accept her. Or do they? They turn to a charlatan claiming to be a doctor, and will do anything to fix this situation. Can Pavla be fixed? Do you want to know what happens?
It seems that only one person really cares for Pavla, and that person is an outcast as well.
There is some dark magic and superstitious beliefs that seem to surround the story.
I found some parts of the story unexplainable, or confusing. The timeline and plot seemed to jump around. For those people that like a dark and twisted tale I recommend this for you. If you like to look for symbolism and deeper meanings, this would be for you as well. I received a copy of this book for my honest review? Was there a happily ever after? You'll have to read this book to find out!
June 1, 2016
This book was not what I expected. Initially, I started this book with the expectation of a magical realistic tale of how to live in an unforgiving world. I was very small minded about this.
This is a story of a world in transition. Taking place in an unspecified location and time, we follow a delightful dwarf named Pavla who is more than what she seems. However, she is born into a world intolerant of perceived imperfections and she is forced into a gruesome transformation with the hopes that she will conform to society. This turns out not to be case. Her beauty shines through though, affecting the lives of everyone whether they realize it or not.
I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It's a literary fiction novel with fairy tale elements and turn-of-the-century themes that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking work. The writing is beautiful and the characters are personable, except for Pavla who rises above everything. I would recommend this book for literary fiction fans, historical narrative readers, and those who love a little magic in their story.
This is a story of a world in transition. Taking place in an unspecified location and time, we follow a delightful dwarf named Pavla who is more than what she seems. However, she is born into a world intolerant of perceived imperfections and she is forced into a gruesome transformation with the hopes that she will conform to society. This turns out not to be case. Her beauty shines through though, affecting the lives of everyone whether they realize it or not.
I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It's a literary fiction novel with fairy tale elements and turn-of-the-century themes that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking work. The writing is beautiful and the characters are personable, except for Pavla who rises above everything. I would recommend this book for literary fiction fans, historical narrative readers, and those who love a little magic in their story.
October 21, 2016
This novel was so different from the other two that I have read by Marisa Silver it almost seems ghostwritten. More in the style of Alice Hoffman, it is essentially a novel of magical realism, with a protagonist that keeps transforming. She is born a dwarf at the turn of the 20th century in an unnamed Eastern European country. Although she is physically deformed, her face is radiantly beautiful. Her parents want to "cure" her of her defect, so they use the services of a quack doctor who tries to stretch her to regular height. The doctor's assistant becomes obsessively in love with her and spends the rest of the novel tracking her down.
She keeps transforming (I won't reveal to what here), and the story can be a bit confusing at times. The author keeps pulling things together and creating a consistent narrative. It is so well written and so creative that any narrative problems become much less important to the overall enjoyment of the novel. There are periods of war and imprisonment, and much mysticism and spiritual quest. It all ends on a somewhat cryptic but beautiful note.
She keeps transforming (I won't reveal to what here), and the story can be a bit confusing at times. The author keeps pulling things together and creating a consistent narrative. It is so well written and so creative that any narrative problems become much less important to the overall enjoyment of the novel. There are periods of war and imprisonment, and much mysticism and spiritual quest. It all ends on a somewhat cryptic but beautiful note.
June 9, 2017
What an unusual but beautifully written book. A love story at its heart where one of the characters keeps changing her persona, whilst the love of her life keeps on searching for her. I am not usually the greatest fan of magical realism, however what the author manages to do here is weave a very clever plot that is a little bizarre at times, bit still remains easy to follow. The writing is beautiful, whilst not overly lyrical, thus maintaining the flow of the plot.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, highly recommend you try it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this, highly recommend you try it.
January 9, 2022
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ rounded up to 3 1/2 stars.
I won this book from the Goodreads Giveaways. A very good read, which I read about three years ago. Thinking of it puts me in mind of old Russian and Polish folktales. This original story is told like a fable with fully realized and original characters. It is at times haunting and always imaginative. It is a beautifully told and well written novel. I highly recommend it.
I won this book from the Goodreads Giveaways. A very good read, which I read about three years ago. Thinking of it puts me in mind of old Russian and Polish folktales. This original story is told like a fable with fully realized and original characters. It is at times haunting and always imaginative. It is a beautifully told and well written novel. I highly recommend it.
July 27, 2016
This book is definitely not a book for everyone. But for those of us who like weird, quirky and unique all rolled up into one neat little bow, it's absolutely perfect. Writing is stunningly beautiful and the magical realism is on point. If you like books that are different - and maybe a bit gruesome at times - this book will totally be right up your alley.
June 26, 2017
The writing is beautiful but although the first half of the book was fantastic and kept me reading non-stop I lost interest somewhere in the middle and from then on, I was more confused than anything else.
August 10, 2016
An adult fairy tale with lots of symbolism and dual meanings. Keeps your interest
October 6, 2017
4.5 stars!
perused
December 27, 2018The end of 2018 has been unkind to me... can't seem to pick up a book I really enjoy and see it through. I'm taking it as a sign I really should wait for the new year before picking up anything new.
May 10, 2022
English Review below.
شعرت بأنها قصة خرافية روسية ، حتى لو لم يتم تسمية الدولة الأوروبية التي وقعت فيها الأحداث مطلقًا.
مرت القصة بعدة مراحل ، أولها قصة عائلية مأساوية ، ثم قصة حب ضائع وتحول ، وأخيراً كانت قصة انتماء رغم كل شيء. إنها قصة عن التشوه وتمر بطلتنا وبطلنا بالكثير من التحولات ، سواء جسديًا أو عاطفيًا. تتناول الحرب وتداعياتها ، والسجون ، وكيفية معاملة المساجين، خاصة المرضى عقليًا أو أولئك الذين اعتبرهم المجتمع مرضى عقليين .
تبدأ القصة مع بافلا ، القزمة التي قرر والديها فعل كل ما في وسعهما لتغيير ذلك حتى تتمكن من الزواج والحصول على حياة ، لكن الأمر لم يحدث كما كانا يأملان ، وبالتالي تنطلق بافلا في رحلة حياة جديدة مفروضة عليها. الشخصية الأخرى هي دانيلو، الذي كان له دور في تحولها ، وهما يشكلان رابطًا قويًا يمتد لسنوات عديدة. تتمتع الرواية بهذا الشعور بالواقعية السحرية وأحببت أسلوب الكتابة كثيرًا .
This gave me a Russian fairytale vibes, even if the European country where the events were occuring was never named.
The story went through many phases, first it was a tragic family story, then it was a story of lost love and metamorphosis, and finally it was a story of belonging despite anything. It's a story of deformity and our heroine and hero go through a lot of transformation, whether physically or emotionally. It also tackles the war and its aftermath, prisons and how prisoners, especially mentally ill or those deemed mentally ill by the sciety were treated.
The story starts with Pavla, a dwarf whose parents decide to do everything they can to change that about her so that she can get married and have a life, but it doesn't turn out like they hoped, and thus Pavla embarks on an embosed new life. The other character is Danilo, who had a role in her transformation, and they form quite a strong bond that spans many years. It has this feel of magical realism and you really need to suspend your belief to truly enjoy this story. I liked the writing style a lot as well.
I loved the whole "coming a full circle" feel to the story.
شعرت بأنها قصة خرافية روسية ، حتى لو لم يتم تسمية الدولة الأوروبية التي وقعت فيها الأحداث مطلقًا.
مرت القصة بعدة مراحل ، أولها قصة عائلية مأساوية ، ثم قصة حب ضائع وتحول ، وأخيراً كانت قصة انتماء رغم كل شيء. إنها قصة عن التشوه وتمر بطلتنا وبطلنا بالكثير من التحولات ، سواء جسديًا أو عاطفيًا. تتناول الحرب وتداعياتها ، والسجون ، وكيفية معاملة المساجين، خاصة المرضى عقليًا أو أولئك الذين اعتبرهم المجتمع مرضى عقليين .
تبدأ القصة مع بافلا ، القزمة التي قرر والديها فعل كل ما في وسعهما لتغيير ذلك حتى تتمكن من الزواج والحصول على حياة ، لكن الأمر لم يحدث كما كانا يأملان ، وبالتالي تنطلق بافلا في رحلة حياة جديدة مفروضة عليها. الشخصية الأخرى هي دانيلو، الذي كان له دور في تحولها ، وهما يشكلان رابطًا قويًا يمتد لسنوات عديدة. تتمتع الرواية بهذا الشعور بالواقعية السحرية وأحببت أسلوب الكتابة كثيرًا .
This gave me a Russian fairytale vibes, even if the European country where the events were occuring was never named.
The story went through many phases, first it was a tragic family story, then it was a story of lost love and metamorphosis, and finally it was a story of belonging despite anything. It's a story of deformity and our heroine and hero go through a lot of transformation, whether physically or emotionally. It also tackles the war and its aftermath, prisons and how prisoners, especially mentally ill or those deemed mentally ill by the sciety were treated.
The story starts with Pavla, a dwarf whose parents decide to do everything they can to change that about her so that she can get married and have a life, but it doesn't turn out like they hoped, and thus Pavla embarks on an embosed new life. The other character is Danilo, who had a role in her transformation, and they form quite a strong bond that spans many years. It has this feel of magical realism and you really need to suspend your belief to truly enjoy this story. I liked the writing style a lot as well.
I loved the whole "coming a full circle" feel to the story.
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