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Odette
When a swan crashes through her window at the height of a winter storm, journalist Mitzi Fairweather decides to nurse the injured bird back to health. But at sunset, the swan becomes a woman.
This unexpected visitor is Odette, the swan princess – alone, adrift and in danger in 21st-century Britain, entirely dependent on the kindness of strangers. Bird by day, human by night, and with no way to go home, she remains convinced, to Mitzi’s distress, that only a man’s vow of eternal love can break her spell.
Mitzi is determined to help Odette, but as the two try to hide the improbable truth, their web of deception grows increasingly tangled. Can they find a way to save Odette before it’s too late?
This unexpected visitor is Odette, the swan princess – alone, adrift and in danger in 21st-century Britain, entirely dependent on the kindness of strangers. Bird by day, human by night, and with no way to go home, she remains convinced, to Mitzi’s distress, that only a man’s vow of eternal love can break her spell.
Mitzi is determined to help Odette, but as the two try to hide the improbable truth, their web of deception grows increasingly tangled. Can they find a way to save Odette before it’s too late?
223 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2018
2 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Duchen
16 books35 followersJessica is a music journalist, author and librettist. She contributes to the Sunday Times, the I News and BBC Music Magazine, among others, and was formerly with the Independent for 12 years.
Her latest novel 'Immortal' tells the (probably) true story behind Beethoven's famous 'Immortal Beloved' letter, exploring a tragic secret that was long concealed. "A revelation" (Daniel Hope, president of the Beethoven-Haus, Bonn).
'Ghost Variations' is based on the bizarre discovery of the suppressed Schumann Violin Concerto in the 1930s, with the great violinist Jelly d'Arányi as its heroine. "A thrilling read" (John Suchet, The Daily Mail).
Earlier novels focus on tensions between family generations, including the story of a child prodigy pianist ('Alicia's Gift') and the long-term effects of displacement and cultural clashes ('Hungarian Dances').
Jessica's librettos for composer Roxanna Panufnik include two operas commissioned by Garsington: 'Silver Birch', which was shortlisted for an International Opera Award in 2018, and 'Dalia', which won an Excellence in Music Theatre Education award in 2023. Among other pieces are 'Across the Line of Dreams' for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with conductors Marin Alsop and Valentina Peleggi, and a new song cycle, 'Gallery of Memories', which was premiered in Presteigne and Oxford festivals in 2023. More librettos include two youth operas based on Oscar Wilde stories: 'The Happy Princess' with composer Paul Fincham and 'The Selfish Giant' with John Barber.
Jessica creates and presents concert dramas and narrated concerts, with numerous appearances at festivals around the UK, France and Australia. Her non-fiction books include biographies of the composers Gabriel Fauré and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and a centenary celebration of the London Chamber Orchestra.
She lives in London with her violinist husband and cat.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jessicawords...
Her latest novel 'Immortal' tells the (probably) true story behind Beethoven's famous 'Immortal Beloved' letter, exploring a tragic secret that was long concealed. "A revelation" (Daniel Hope, president of the Beethoven-Haus, Bonn).
'Ghost Variations' is based on the bizarre discovery of the suppressed Schumann Violin Concerto in the 1930s, with the great violinist Jelly d'Arányi as its heroine. "A thrilling read" (John Suchet, The Daily Mail).
Earlier novels focus on tensions between family generations, including the story of a child prodigy pianist ('Alicia's Gift') and the long-term effects of displacement and cultural clashes ('Hungarian Dances').
Jessica's librettos for composer Roxanna Panufnik include two operas commissioned by Garsington: 'Silver Birch', which was shortlisted for an International Opera Award in 2018, and 'Dalia', which won an Excellence in Music Theatre Education award in 2023. Among other pieces are 'Across the Line of Dreams' for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with conductors Marin Alsop and Valentina Peleggi, and a new song cycle, 'Gallery of Memories', which was premiered in Presteigne and Oxford festivals in 2023. More librettos include two youth operas based on Oscar Wilde stories: 'The Happy Princess' with composer Paul Fincham and 'The Selfish Giant' with John Barber.
Jessica creates and presents concert dramas and narrated concerts, with numerous appearances at festivals around the UK, France and Australia. Her non-fiction books include biographies of the composers Gabriel Fauré and Erich Wolfgang Korngold, and a centenary celebration of the London Chamber Orchestra.
She lives in London with her violinist husband and cat.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jessicawords...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 8, 2019
Marvellous, magical, pure...
I thought it was an impossible task to re-tell The Swan Lake with its haunting beauty. This book succeeds to evoke the same longing, the same elation and the same joy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Unbound Digital for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
I thought it was an impossible task to re-tell The Swan Lake with its haunting beauty. This book succeeds to evoke the same longing, the same elation and the same joy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Unbound Digital for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 24, 2018
It was a well written charming book that was quite entertaining. Mitzi is a likeable character who believed in fairies. One day, a swan suddenly crashes into her window. She’s injured and Mitzi takes her to the vet, then brings her home to look after. In the morning, the sean turns into a woman :) And it becomes their adventure to go through city life with a swan/woman who has no idea about many things.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, entertaining contemporary read with a bit of magic, it’s a good choice.
My only criticism for the book is, although it’s a short read, it took relatively longer (around 20%) to get to the point where swan crashed the window. I thinn it would grab more attention if that happened sooner.
Nevertheless it was a solid, fun read.
If you’re looking for a comfortable, entertaining contemporary read with a bit of magic, it’s a good choice.
My only criticism for the book is, although it’s a short read, it took relatively longer (around 20%) to get to the point where swan crashed the window. I thinn it would grab more attention if that happened sooner.
Nevertheless it was a solid, fun read.
December 18, 2018
Odette enchanted and captivated me from the first page to the end. This novel is a brilliant blend of fantasy and reality, I thought. It combines a coming-of-age tale with a love story and is also a truly zeitgeisty fable for our dark and uncertain times. I can’t think of a book quite like it.
The plot is a sort of meta-take on Swan Lake the ballet, and I spent a while wondering how it would diverge from the plot of Swan Lake. Right from the start, the events are simultaneously utterly surreal and yet grounded in the ordinariness of English life, making it a compelling read.
A swan crashes through Mitzi’s window during a storm, and is injured. She feels it’s her duty to help the swan, taking it to the vet and giving it shelter in her flat. Then suddenly, to Mitzi’s considerable consternation, the swan goes to the bathroom and emerges as a beautiful young woman who says she is a Russian princess called Odette – long ago she was turned into a swan (from dawn to dusk) by an evil Baron. So far, so weird. But Mitzi has to accept this bizarre story as it’s the only thing which fits all the facts. Frightened, confused and wondering if she’s going crazy, she decides to help this ‘swan girl’ settle into human life in 21st century England.
Mitzi is a well drawn, likeable character, an ambitious, serious-minded young woman, kind-hearted who’s somewhat wary of love. She’s a stagnating reporter on the local rag interested in reporting the news that gets left off the front pages (such as the exploitation of illegal immigrants).
Odette the swan girl, effectively a refugee from Siberia, knows nothing about modern life in Cyngford (a university town that sounds much like Cambridge) or modern customs such as dancing sans partner or e-books, and must fend off the local anti-immigrant yobs, suspicious neighbours and police – and the other swans when she flies around during the day because she is a Bewick’s not a mute. Unfortunately, she is attracted to Mitzi’s girl-a-week brother, and wonders if he may be the one who can help her to break the Baron’s spell by pledging his eternal love. Meanwhile Mitzi is trying to keep Odette from being arrested and wondering if she can trust the new man in her life…
The novel contains a couple of well executed twists towards the end. The ending is just fabulous and left me with tears in my eyes.
Odette is set in the weeks leading up to Christmas. With its themes of magic and transformation – in all senses of the word – it’s a perfect book for Christmas, indeed any time of year. Bravo, Jessica Duchen!
The plot is a sort of meta-take on Swan Lake the ballet, and I spent a while wondering how it would diverge from the plot of Swan Lake. Right from the start, the events are simultaneously utterly surreal and yet grounded in the ordinariness of English life, making it a compelling read.
A swan crashes through Mitzi’s window during a storm, and is injured. She feels it’s her duty to help the swan, taking it to the vet and giving it shelter in her flat. Then suddenly, to Mitzi’s considerable consternation, the swan goes to the bathroom and emerges as a beautiful young woman who says she is a Russian princess called Odette – long ago she was turned into a swan (from dawn to dusk) by an evil Baron. So far, so weird. But Mitzi has to accept this bizarre story as it’s the only thing which fits all the facts. Frightened, confused and wondering if she’s going crazy, she decides to help this ‘swan girl’ settle into human life in 21st century England.
Mitzi is a well drawn, likeable character, an ambitious, serious-minded young woman, kind-hearted who’s somewhat wary of love. She’s a stagnating reporter on the local rag interested in reporting the news that gets left off the front pages (such as the exploitation of illegal immigrants).
Odette the swan girl, effectively a refugee from Siberia, knows nothing about modern life in Cyngford (a university town that sounds much like Cambridge) or modern customs such as dancing sans partner or e-books, and must fend off the local anti-immigrant yobs, suspicious neighbours and police – and the other swans when she flies around during the day because she is a Bewick’s not a mute. Unfortunately, she is attracted to Mitzi’s girl-a-week brother, and wonders if he may be the one who can help her to break the Baron’s spell by pledging his eternal love. Meanwhile Mitzi is trying to keep Odette from being arrested and wondering if she can trust the new man in her life…
The novel contains a couple of well executed twists towards the end. The ending is just fabulous and left me with tears in my eyes.
Odette is set in the weeks leading up to Christmas. With its themes of magic and transformation – in all senses of the word – it’s a perfect book for Christmas, indeed any time of year. Bravo, Jessica Duchen!
December 13, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I thought that this book was superb – I absolutely loved it!!
This book was brilliant, I loved the characters and the story telling from the author made the book so special. It was enchanting and magical.
The pace was spot on and everything in the book worked brilliantly. It was an intriguing blurb and I knew it was a story I wanted to read but I wasn’t sure how it would all work together being based on such a well know story but I after reading it I can say that I thought the execution of the story was perfect.
Five stars from me, no hesitation at all in giving it such a high rating, I loved it and it was a genuine pleasure to read from cover to cover – very, very highly recommended!!
I thought that this book was superb – I absolutely loved it!!
This book was brilliant, I loved the characters and the story telling from the author made the book so special. It was enchanting and magical.
The pace was spot on and everything in the book worked brilliantly. It was an intriguing blurb and I knew it was a story I wanted to read but I wasn’t sure how it would all work together being based on such a well know story but I after reading it I can say that I thought the execution of the story was perfect.
Five stars from me, no hesitation at all in giving it such a high rating, I loved it and it was a genuine pleasure to read from cover to cover – very, very highly recommended!!
April 24, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
When a swan flies through and breaks a window in her apartment, Mitzi's life turns entirely upside down. Much to her disbelief, the now injured swan that she has taken upon to nurse back to health turns out to be an enchanted princess from Russia whose lived over a hundred years through the deaths of everyone she's ever loved. A Swan Lake retelling, I was rather excited to read this modern take on one of the most beloved stories of my childhood. The story follows a journalist as she navigates the new world and stranger who has come into her life by the mere circumstance of the weather. And I easily inferred quite a bit from the synopsis, believing this to be a story with a romance between two women. Unfortunately, that is not the path this book took.
Here's the thing, I had a really hard time rating Odette by Jessica Duchen. The book wasn't exactly bad, perse, but I just really hated everything about it. The story begins with Odette, but quickly moves to the central character, Mitzi, and spends the first two chapters just dragging on and on about her life without giving me any reason whatsoever to give a damn about it. This was frustrating enough, of course, without the rest of the frustrating plot to follow.
While there were aspects of it that called to the original story, leaving me with a nostalgic love for those pieces, the purported 'modernization' of the tale kind of ruined it for me. I wasn't prepared for a story about a princess who'd been trapped as a swan for over a hundred years, but rather for one about a new princess in modern day. Additionally, the turn from romantic love to the love of friendship was just monumentally frustrating especially when the blurb describes it as a woman teaching Odette that she does not need a man to pronounce his everlasting love in order to be saved.
Add in pointless characters that I literally could not bring myself to care about in the slightest--ironically, the main character Mitzi was the one I hated most--and the book became more of a chore to read than something I was actually interested in. But I trudged on, hoping that there would at least be some semblance of a believable love story between the two women but eventually found myself giving up on that piece, too.
And then, as if to top it all off, the villain was painfully predictable and there was really nothing unique to the story aside from the disposal of Odette's prince and the inclusion of awful characters, though believable, weren't even the least bit likable. Well, except for Chris, I suppose. But his purpose in the story was literally to just be a red herring and open up an opportunity for Odette to remember how much she loves being an actual person.
I just feel like the book was a lot of leading on and a lot of disappointing which ultimately leaves me feeling like I should have given it a much lower rating, but I suppose I can accept that perhaps this book simply wasn't meant for me.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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When a swan flies through and breaks a window in her apartment, Mitzi's life turns entirely upside down. Much to her disbelief, the now injured swan that she has taken upon to nurse back to health turns out to be an enchanted princess from Russia whose lived over a hundred years through the deaths of everyone she's ever loved. A Swan Lake retelling, I was rather excited to read this modern take on one of the most beloved stories of my childhood. The story follows a journalist as she navigates the new world and stranger who has come into her life by the mere circumstance of the weather. And I easily inferred quite a bit from the synopsis, believing this to be a story with a romance between two women. Unfortunately, that is not the path this book took.
Here's the thing, I had a really hard time rating Odette by Jessica Duchen. The book wasn't exactly bad, perse, but I just really hated everything about it. The story begins with Odette, but quickly moves to the central character, Mitzi, and spends the first two chapters just dragging on and on about her life without giving me any reason whatsoever to give a damn about it. This was frustrating enough, of course, without the rest of the frustrating plot to follow.
While there were aspects of it that called to the original story, leaving me with a nostalgic love for those pieces, the purported 'modernization' of the tale kind of ruined it for me. I wasn't prepared for a story about a princess who'd been trapped as a swan for over a hundred years, but rather for one about a new princess in modern day. Additionally, the turn from romantic love to the love of friendship was just monumentally frustrating especially when the blurb describes it as a woman teaching Odette that she does not need a man to pronounce his everlasting love in order to be saved.
Add in pointless characters that I literally could not bring myself to care about in the slightest--ironically, the main character Mitzi was the one I hated most--and the book became more of a chore to read than something I was actually interested in. But I trudged on, hoping that there would at least be some semblance of a believable love story between the two women but eventually found myself giving up on that piece, too.
And then, as if to top it all off, the villain was painfully predictable and there was really nothing unique to the story aside from the disposal of Odette's prince and the inclusion of awful characters, though believable, weren't even the least bit likable. Well, except for Chris, I suppose. But his purpose in the story was literally to just be a red herring and open up an opportunity for Odette to remember how much she loves being an actual person.
I just feel like the book was a lot of leading on and a lot of disappointing which ultimately leaves me feeling like I should have given it a much lower rating, but I suppose I can accept that perhaps this book simply wasn't meant for me.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
February 3, 2019
What a wonderful book this was! I was hooked from the first page and felt part of the story straight away. I really liked Mitzi and Odette the main characters, and loved following their stories. I’m not familiar with the original Swan Lake fairy tale so wasn’t too sure how it would unfold, making it a fantastic mystery for me.
Just before I started reading this book a large flock of wild geese were spending time in a nearby field, constantly flying over my house. As well as being noisy, geese are big, but swans are much larger, so goodness knows how I’d cope if one crashed through my window!
Mitzi was just brilliant taking Odette in and making sure she was okay, even though she really wasn’t sure what to make of her. I was charmed by Odette’s wonder and delight at this new world she found herself in. It was lovely watching her enthusiasm for everything she encountered, making me quite envious of her childlike attitude.
Just like Mitzi, I was quite amused at Odette’s insistence of needing a man to release her from the swan spell and wondered if there would be a modern twist to this dilemma?
This has become a new favourite for me and definitely a book I will re-read in the future. If you’re looking for a heart-warming story this Christmas, I thoroughly recommend this one.
Just before I started reading this book a large flock of wild geese were spending time in a nearby field, constantly flying over my house. As well as being noisy, geese are big, but swans are much larger, so goodness knows how I’d cope if one crashed through my window!
Mitzi was just brilliant taking Odette in and making sure she was okay, even though she really wasn’t sure what to make of her. I was charmed by Odette’s wonder and delight at this new world she found herself in. It was lovely watching her enthusiasm for everything she encountered, making me quite envious of her childlike attitude.
Just like Mitzi, I was quite amused at Odette’s insistence of needing a man to release her from the swan spell and wondered if there would be a modern twist to this dilemma?
This has become a new favourite for me and definitely a book I will re-read in the future. If you’re looking for a heart-warming story this Christmas, I thoroughly recommend this one.
December 26, 2022
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Odette
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jessica Duchen
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
This is one of those reads that makes me so glad to be a Netgalley member and being able to discover these treasures.
Mitzi Fairweather, who is a journalist, is surprised by the ferocity of storm Odile, which apparently is a weather anomaly. What surprised her next is witnessing a huge, beautiful white swan battling the storm and crashing head first through her window, getting itself cut by millions of shards of glass in the process. After a trip to the vets and an attempt to nurse the swan by herself, regardless of her lack of avian knowledge, she lets the swan rest in her home.
Next, she hears the sound of footsteps in the next room after coming to from a dreary slumber. Mitzi lets her ambitious, curious nature get the best of her and she goes to investigate. She is met by Odette, who has beautiful, pale skin, a grace deserving of royalty, an innocuous wonder in her eyes, and raven silky hair, that looks as soft as feathers.
Odette, in a broken, Russian accent, tries to tell Mitzi her origin, she is the swan that crashed through Mitzi's window and she is under a spell by the manipulative Baron, who traps her as a swan by day, and allows her to be human at night. Odette feels that Mitzi is kind, and seeks her help.
Odette is a modern adaptation of Swan Lake. In 1852, Odette was held captive by a spell that turns her into a swan by daylight, and human by dark, 166 years later, Odette finds herself carried to Cygnford by the storm, much to her fear and dismay. Soon, the swan princess has to meet the real world. A world of cynical doubt, prejudice, and self interest.
Over the course of the story, my heart literally ached for Odette. I felt that Jessica Duchen enforced the purity and naivety in her voice which in turn groomed my emotional investment in her. I desperately wanted her to have her happy ending.
I found myself happily rooting for each of the characters in turn, such was their authenticity. Mitzi with her good heart, Odette with her mystical, tragic past. Harry with his good nature and love for Shakespeare. They were each worthy of a readers admiration.
My favourite aspect of this novel is the writing. There is a genuine clarity and beauty to it that's really rare to see and completely necessary when retelling a fairy tale. There was a hauntingly ethereal quality to the prose that was as graceful as the curve of a swan's neck, and as fast paced as it's flight.
I found myself flying through this book (get it? Flying? Swan reference? Clever, I know) it was completely enriching. I couldn't get enough. I absolutely adored this modern take on one of the most highly regarded fairy tales in the world.
The smart use of magical realism was as enchanting as it was captivating. Obviously, swans mate for life so reading about Odette trying to find her footing a century after she had even interacted with anyone other than her captor the Baron, was utterly intriguing. Her high standards of love are inspiring and infectious. Odette is heartbroken at the casual, empty declarations of love that plague people in these times - her grief made me relate.
The ending was incredible. I was engrossed. Unashamedly reading this book during down times in work whilst slyly fielding one call after another so I could reach the peak. The Baron may as well have put me under a spell for a hundred years - that is how absorbed I was reading this book.
Thank you to Net Galley and Unbound for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Odette
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jessica Duchen
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fantasy
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 2018
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5/5
"'I believe in magic too, Mitzi, but a different kind. An everyday magic, when people are their best selves and all things become possible.'"
This is one of those reads that makes me so glad to be a Netgalley member and being able to discover these treasures.
Mitzi Fairweather, who is a journalist, is surprised by the ferocity of storm Odile, which apparently is a weather anomaly. What surprised her next is witnessing a huge, beautiful white swan battling the storm and crashing head first through her window, getting itself cut by millions of shards of glass in the process. After a trip to the vets and an attempt to nurse the swan by herself, regardless of her lack of avian knowledge, she lets the swan rest in her home.
Next, she hears the sound of footsteps in the next room after coming to from a dreary slumber. Mitzi lets her ambitious, curious nature get the best of her and she goes to investigate. She is met by Odette, who has beautiful, pale skin, a grace deserving of royalty, an innocuous wonder in her eyes, and raven silky hair, that looks as soft as feathers.
Odette, in a broken, Russian accent, tries to tell Mitzi her origin, she is the swan that crashed through Mitzi's window and she is under a spell by the manipulative Baron, who traps her as a swan by day, and allows her to be human at night. Odette feels that Mitzi is kind, and seeks her help.
Odette is a modern adaptation of Swan Lake. In 1852, Odette was held captive by a spell that turns her into a swan by daylight, and human by dark, 166 years later, Odette finds herself carried to Cygnford by the storm, much to her fear and dismay. Soon, the swan princess has to meet the real world. A world of cynical doubt, prejudice, and self interest.
Over the course of the story, my heart literally ached for Odette. I felt that Jessica Duchen enforced the purity and naivety in her voice which in turn groomed my emotional investment in her. I desperately wanted her to have her happy ending.
I found myself happily rooting for each of the characters in turn, such was their authenticity. Mitzi with her good heart, Odette with her mystical, tragic past. Harry with his good nature and love for Shakespeare. They were each worthy of a readers admiration.
My favourite aspect of this novel is the writing. There is a genuine clarity and beauty to it that's really rare to see and completely necessary when retelling a fairy tale. There was a hauntingly ethereal quality to the prose that was as graceful as the curve of a swan's neck, and as fast paced as it's flight.
"The full moon would rise alongside the setting sun, but she would see it only from her lakeside haunt. She waited on the shore, wings folded, shivering, watching the fiery malingerer sink, the sky around it turning from aquamarine to gold to lilac, moment by slow moment."
I found myself flying through this book (get it? Flying? Swan reference? Clever, I know) it was completely enriching. I couldn't get enough. I absolutely adored this modern take on one of the most highly regarded fairy tales in the world.
"'We grow up with fairy stories and they stay with us throughout our lives. I don't believe, though, that they're just escapism. I believe that fairy tales, folklore and the traditional mythology of any and every world religion enrich us, help us learn life lessons and allow us to see the magic in our world, all around us, every day. Some people would even say that everything in this world is based on legends and myths - essentially, magical stories.'"
The smart use of magical realism was as enchanting as it was captivating. Obviously, swans mate for life so reading about Odette trying to find her footing a century after she had even interacted with anyone other than her captor the Baron, was utterly intriguing. Her high standards of love are inspiring and infectious. Odette is heartbroken at the casual, empty declarations of love that plague people in these times - her grief made me relate.
The ending was incredible. I was engrossed. Unashamedly reading this book during down times in work whilst slyly fielding one call after another so I could reach the peak. The Baron may as well have put me under a spell for a hundred years - that is how absorbed I was reading this book.
Thank you to Net Galley and Unbound for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
December 27, 2018
I read this via The Pigeonhole app.
I found this to be an interesting mix of reality and fairytales as the story of Swan Lake is recreated in a modern setting, although I did find the story a little rushed at times and would have loved more background into Odette and Mitzi as they were both fascinating characters.
When a swan crashes through the window where Mitzi is living she is shocked to say the least, and even more shocked when that swan turns into Odette! When they start talking she discovers a magical world where Odette has fled from and does all she can to help her in the modern world she finds her in, while also trying to let her learn things on her own.
This new world is completely alien to Odette so se's eager to experience as much of it as she can, which does lead to some awkward situations at time. Mitzi is also suffering her own problems with work and romance so it does make for a nice blend of scenarios that the women find themselves facing.
An easy to read book full of escapism and fun!
I found this to be an interesting mix of reality and fairytales as the story of Swan Lake is recreated in a modern setting, although I did find the story a little rushed at times and would have loved more background into Odette and Mitzi as they were both fascinating characters.
When a swan crashes through the window where Mitzi is living she is shocked to say the least, and even more shocked when that swan turns into Odette! When they start talking she discovers a magical world where Odette has fled from and does all she can to help her in the modern world she finds her in, while also trying to let her learn things on her own.
This new world is completely alien to Odette so se's eager to experience as much of it as she can, which does lead to some awkward situations at time. Mitzi is also suffering her own problems with work and romance so it does make for a nice blend of scenarios that the women find themselves facing.
An easy to read book full of escapism and fun!
December 20, 2018
A modern retelling of Swan Lake with a twist, ODETTE by Jessica Duchen is a wonderful story with plenty to keep you hooked from beginning to end.
When a swan crashes into her home during a storm, journalist Mitzi Fairweather decides she cannot abandon the creature and tries to nurse it back to health. What she did not expect was the swan to transform into a princess called Odette as soon as the sun sets. Thrown into this new world, Odette experiences our modern world alongside Mitzi with some hilarious consequences, but Mitzi really wants to help this woman who is fast becoming a friend. Odette believes that only a man's vow of eternal love can break this curse but Mitzi is sceptical. And as time begins to run out will they find a way before it is too late?
I have always loved fairytales and I'm always intrigued when they receive the retelling treatment from authors - sometimes these new perspectives and modern twists are excellent and sometimes they are anything but. Well, I'm delighted to say that ODETTE by Jessica Duchen ticked all of the boxes for me, taking fairy tale legend and making something fresh and distinctive out if it while at the same time treating the original story with respect. The characters are dynamic and interesting and the story is perfectly paced with never a dull moment. There are some true surprises sprinkled along the way and when I sat down to read ODETTE I couldn't stop until I got to the very end because it utterly captivated me.
ODETTE by Jessica Duchen is a wonderful and enchanting read and would make a wonderful gift this Christmas.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser
When a swan crashes into her home during a storm, journalist Mitzi Fairweather decides she cannot abandon the creature and tries to nurse it back to health. What she did not expect was the swan to transform into a princess called Odette as soon as the sun sets. Thrown into this new world, Odette experiences our modern world alongside Mitzi with some hilarious consequences, but Mitzi really wants to help this woman who is fast becoming a friend. Odette believes that only a man's vow of eternal love can break this curse but Mitzi is sceptical. And as time begins to run out will they find a way before it is too late?
I have always loved fairytales and I'm always intrigued when they receive the retelling treatment from authors - sometimes these new perspectives and modern twists are excellent and sometimes they are anything but. Well, I'm delighted to say that ODETTE by Jessica Duchen ticked all of the boxes for me, taking fairy tale legend and making something fresh and distinctive out if it while at the same time treating the original story with respect. The characters are dynamic and interesting and the story is perfectly paced with never a dull moment. There are some true surprises sprinkled along the way and when I sat down to read ODETTE I couldn't stop until I got to the very end because it utterly captivated me.
ODETTE by Jessica Duchen is a wonderful and enchanting read and would make a wonderful gift this Christmas.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser
March 29, 2020
I try not to read too much of a synopsis about a book before I crack the cover because I don't want to have the plot spoiled. I prefer to allow the story to unfold as the writer intended. Sometimes that means I'm confused for a bit, but I find having a little faith and turning the pages will get me there before long. That was how I approached Odette by Jessica Duchen. I knew it was some sort of modern fairy tale, but that was it. I won't share too much and ruin it for you, but I want to pique your interest.
Mitzi is a struggling freelance reporter, living in a tiny apartment in London, when a swan comes crashing through her front window during a bizarre and unprecedented storm. Mitzi cares for the swan as best she can and is shocked when at sunset the swan turns into a beautiful young woman named Odette. Mitzi does what she can to help Odette, letting her stay with her and becoming her friend, but the one thing Odette can't escape is the curse that turns her into a bird every morning at dawn.
Maybe this already sounds familiar to you, but whether it does or doesn't, this book is worth reading. It was beautifully written with charming characters and plenty of magic, both the fairy tale kind and the friendship kind. I was a little saddened that the ending flew up so quickly, leaving me wanting more, but maybe that's a good thing. I think fairy tales are a wonderful distraction from the real world so I hope you'll give this one a try.
Mitzi is a struggling freelance reporter, living in a tiny apartment in London, when a swan comes crashing through her front window during a bizarre and unprecedented storm. Mitzi cares for the swan as best she can and is shocked when at sunset the swan turns into a beautiful young woman named Odette. Mitzi does what she can to help Odette, letting her stay with her and becoming her friend, but the one thing Odette can't escape is the curse that turns her into a bird every morning at dawn.
Maybe this already sounds familiar to you, but whether it does or doesn't, this book is worth reading. It was beautifully written with charming characters and plenty of magic, both the fairy tale kind and the friendship kind. I was a little saddened that the ending flew up so quickly, leaving me wanting more, but maybe that's a good thing. I think fairy tales are a wonderful distraction from the real world so I hope you'll give this one a try.
December 28, 2018
This was a beautiful fairy story for the 21st century, a wonderful tale of friendship and love. I loved this book right from the first page and highly recommend it to everyone who wants a bit of magic in their lives.
Thank you Pigeonhole and Jessica for the chance to read this enchanting book.
Thank you Pigeonhole and Jessica for the chance to read this enchanting book.
December 12, 2018
Everyone knows the story of Swan Lake right? Even my three year old (alright so it's via Barbie in the Pink Shoes DVD but it's an introduction to bigger, better things). I love the story of Swan Lake and was curious as to how a modern take would work.
Set in the fictional town of Cygnford (loved the swan reference), Mitzi is startled when a swan bursts in to her living room during a storm. Her astonishment continues, as one may imagine, when after sun down said swan turns into a Russian princess called Odette.
I loved following Odette as she experienced life in 21st century. How her circumstances of being a foreigner in England could easily be explained away as an asylum seeker or a sex worker victim to trafficking. I did question how sensible it was for Mitzi to introduce Odette to both alcohol and spicy food in one restaurant visit! Moments like the restaurant however provided much humour to the book and in some ways I was reminded of Rapunzel or the Little Mermaid when they experienced the outside world for the first time. It was also interesting to read about Mitzi's experiences as a writer. I certainly sensed some real life experiences in amongst those words!
I tend to get a bit annoyed at fairy tales due to the fact that the mother figure is always non-existent (same with Odette interestingly) and the ridiculous ease in which true love is obtained. I did however like Duchen's take on fairy tales, how they address unconscious fears in an indirect way - it's OK to be you as long as you are true to yourself, kind and caring. And who would have thought Sleeping Beauty could be classed as a resurrection story?
I didn't guess the twist (gasp out loud moment) and loved how the book unravelled. It certainly wasn't a Snow White ending and I loved the book all the more for it. My favourite line of the whole story was the last one. It made me go 'Aw' and left me feeling all lovely inside. Which is what you want at Christmas.
It was easy to read, festive without being out rightly so and easily appeals to women of all ages. Even those too big for believing glass slippers are ever suitable attire for a ball.
My thanks go to Unbound and Anne Cater via her Random Things Through my Letterbox website for a copy of the book in exchange of a honest review.
Set in the fictional town of Cygnford (loved the swan reference), Mitzi is startled when a swan bursts in to her living room during a storm. Her astonishment continues, as one may imagine, when after sun down said swan turns into a Russian princess called Odette.
I loved following Odette as she experienced life in 21st century. How her circumstances of being a foreigner in England could easily be explained away as an asylum seeker or a sex worker victim to trafficking. I did question how sensible it was for Mitzi to introduce Odette to both alcohol and spicy food in one restaurant visit! Moments like the restaurant however provided much humour to the book and in some ways I was reminded of Rapunzel or the Little Mermaid when they experienced the outside world for the first time. It was also interesting to read about Mitzi's experiences as a writer. I certainly sensed some real life experiences in amongst those words!
I tend to get a bit annoyed at fairy tales due to the fact that the mother figure is always non-existent (same with Odette interestingly) and the ridiculous ease in which true love is obtained. I did however like Duchen's take on fairy tales, how they address unconscious fears in an indirect way - it's OK to be you as long as you are true to yourself, kind and caring. And who would have thought Sleeping Beauty could be classed as a resurrection story?
I didn't guess the twist (gasp out loud moment) and loved how the book unravelled. It certainly wasn't a Snow White ending and I loved the book all the more for it. My favourite line of the whole story was the last one. It made me go 'Aw' and left me feeling all lovely inside. Which is what you want at Christmas.
It was easy to read, festive without being out rightly so and easily appeals to women of all ages. Even those too big for believing glass slippers are ever suitable attire for a ball.
My thanks go to Unbound and Anne Cater via her Random Things Through my Letterbox website for a copy of the book in exchange of a honest review.
January 28, 2019
Right at that moment when it became apparent that Harry, the supposed prince charming was a bit of a douche, I had hoped for this tale to end with a "self-love tramps evil any day" sort of vibe. And I just about melted as those magical and emotionally charged final scenes unfolded. I felt one with Mitzi when she finally found something she could fight for with all her heart, only to end up draining out all the tears she had not cried over her own personal hangups. I rooted for Chris as the unlikely prince charming accidentally (and quite comically) dealing the final blow on the evil tyrant. And I was eventually convinced that Harry wasn't so bad after all...
As much as I wanted this story to stretch on a little bit longer, that ending is also satisfying enough for me, knowing that no matter what, Odette will have a very loving and reliable support system to help her ease through her new life. I have also grown fond of the idea of her and Chris ending up together. But whatever or whoever makes her happy is also fine by me. ♥
I also really loved how this entire story transported me to Cygnford, describing each scene, each feeling so simply and vividly that I could literally feel the cold breeze biting my skin, along with all the warm emotions tucked at each magical corner. It has distracted me so much that I hardly noticed or had time at all to mind the usual things that would've annoyed me in a less engaging story.
Thanks again The Pigeonhole and Miss Jessica Duchen for the opportunity to read this beautiful fairy tale. It has become a definite favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2018
An intriguing and quirky approach to a magical tale. The story is gripping and tautly-told with some wonderful twists and turns in the plot. But as in the best of fairy-tales there is a really serious message conveyed with a light touch. And that message is very much for our times.
Music suffuses the book (although you don't need to have a great musical knowledge to appreciate it) from Elvis Presley and George Gershwin to a fascinating vignette of the great 19th century piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt. And of course the parallels with Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake are explicit - but it's important to note this is not a retelling of the ballet. But I was struck by a deeper musical connection: Ms Duchen's twin heroines combine many characteristics of Wagner's "Parsifal". Both are in some ways innocent fools who unknowingly precipitate chaos. The whole action is precipitated by a swan crashing to earth. A woman who has wandered the earth for long years is found almost frozen to death in the undergrowth when she has been freed from the influence of a malign power. And the instrument of her freedom is her discovery of compassion.
Like Wagner Ms Duchen knows that myths might not be real but they are fundamentally true. Highly recommended.
Music suffuses the book (although you don't need to have a great musical knowledge to appreciate it) from Elvis Presley and George Gershwin to a fascinating vignette of the great 19th century piano virtuoso and composer Franz Liszt. And of course the parallels with Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake are explicit - but it's important to note this is not a retelling of the ballet. But I was struck by a deeper musical connection: Ms Duchen's twin heroines combine many characteristics of Wagner's "Parsifal". Both are in some ways innocent fools who unknowingly precipitate chaos. The whole action is precipitated by a swan crashing to earth. A woman who has wandered the earth for long years is found almost frozen to death in the undergrowth when she has been freed from the influence of a malign power. And the instrument of her freedom is her discovery of compassion.
Like Wagner Ms Duchen knows that myths might not be real but they are fundamentally true. Highly recommended.
October 6, 2021
1,5/5 ⭐️
What in the bad Hallmark Christmas movie was this.
The « Read-the-least-reviewed-book-of-your-tbr-pile challenge » was a monumental fail. Not doing it again 😂
What in the bad Hallmark Christmas movie was this.
The « Read-the-least-reviewed-book-of-your-tbr-pile challenge » was a monumental fail. Not doing it again 😂
January 28, 2019
A totally charming update on the plot of Swan Lake.
Mitzi is a very likeable person who believes in fairies and lost causes. When a very unusual swan comes crashing through her front window it changes her life on so many levels.
This is a good booked to read curled up in front of a warm fire on a wintery night. I hope you find the characters as engaging as I did and don't get too caught up with the inaccuracies that spoil it slightly.
Mitzi is a very likeable person who believes in fairies and lost causes. When a very unusual swan comes crashing through her front window it changes her life on so many levels.
This is a good booked to read curled up in front of a warm fire on a wintery night. I hope you find the characters as engaging as I did and don't get too caught up with the inaccuracies that spoil it slightly.
December 21, 2018
I loved reading fairytales as a child – I still have my huge works of Hans Christian Anderson and Brothers Grimm from childhood and I still love finding adaptations of my favourite fairytales so I was delighted to get the chance to read Odette by Jessica Duchen. I’m really pleased to say that I adored this novel!
Odette is the story of Mitzi, who one day during a storm has a swan fly in through her living room window. Mitzi seeks help for the swan and is determined to nurse it back to health but the next morning she discovers a young woman, Odette, in place of the swan. Odette is a swan princess trapped in this life of being a swan during the night and a woman during the day until she finds true love. Mitzi decides to let Odette live with her and is determined to help her.
I felt a connection to Mitzi very quickly in this novel. I know how it feels to be facing Christmas after losing a parent, and it’s hard. She misses her father terribly and doesn’t know how to even begin to work through her grief and to come to terms with him being gone. She is looking for something or someone to fill the void in her life and Odette seems to appear at just the right moment.
Odette and Mitzi help each other throughout this novel. Mitzi shows Odette what a normal life in the 21st century is like, and Odette gives some comfort and solace to a lonely Mitzi. The friendship that grows between them isn’t always straightforward but it’s believable and genuine and I wanted somehow for this to be enough for Odette to be able to stay.
Of course, this being based on the fairytale means there is a romantic interest or two, and there is also the bad guy that wants to stop Odette from finding love. I really enjoyed seeing Odette dating and learning about modern men. I have to be honest that I got so wrapped up in Odette’s new-found happiness with her friend and potential lover that I forgot to look out for the bad guy so when the reveal comes I wasn’t expecting to be who it was. It’s not often that I don’t spot things coming in a novel so this is testament to the wonderful writing!
This is a take on a fairytale but it’s also a very modern novel. Odette experiences trying to get a job and not understanding how things work because of the language barrier, and this is how it must be for refugees and newcomers to a country. I also loved the way that it looks at whether love between friends can be as fulfilling as romantic love. It really is a novel that can be taken in different ways and I really appreciated that.
Odette is a beautiful novel and is one that I think will make my top books of the year as I adored it. It’s been on my mind ever since I finished reading it and I know I will read it again in the future. I definitely recommend this book.
Odette is a beautiful, magical and moving novel, I loved it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
Odette is the story of Mitzi, who one day during a storm has a swan fly in through her living room window. Mitzi seeks help for the swan and is determined to nurse it back to health but the next morning she discovers a young woman, Odette, in place of the swan. Odette is a swan princess trapped in this life of being a swan during the night and a woman during the day until she finds true love. Mitzi decides to let Odette live with her and is determined to help her.
I felt a connection to Mitzi very quickly in this novel. I know how it feels to be facing Christmas after losing a parent, and it’s hard. She misses her father terribly and doesn’t know how to even begin to work through her grief and to come to terms with him being gone. She is looking for something or someone to fill the void in her life and Odette seems to appear at just the right moment.
Odette and Mitzi help each other throughout this novel. Mitzi shows Odette what a normal life in the 21st century is like, and Odette gives some comfort and solace to a lonely Mitzi. The friendship that grows between them isn’t always straightforward but it’s believable and genuine and I wanted somehow for this to be enough for Odette to be able to stay.
Of course, this being based on the fairytale means there is a romantic interest or two, and there is also the bad guy that wants to stop Odette from finding love. I really enjoyed seeing Odette dating and learning about modern men. I have to be honest that I got so wrapped up in Odette’s new-found happiness with her friend and potential lover that I forgot to look out for the bad guy so when the reveal comes I wasn’t expecting to be who it was. It’s not often that I don’t spot things coming in a novel so this is testament to the wonderful writing!
This is a take on a fairytale but it’s also a very modern novel. Odette experiences trying to get a job and not understanding how things work because of the language barrier, and this is how it must be for refugees and newcomers to a country. I also loved the way that it looks at whether love between friends can be as fulfilling as romantic love. It really is a novel that can be taken in different ways and I really appreciated that.
Odette is a beautiful novel and is one that I think will make my top books of the year as I adored it. It’s been on my mind ever since I finished reading it and I know I will read it again in the future. I definitely recommend this book.
Odette is a beautiful, magical and moving novel, I loved it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
January 3, 2019
This is a delightful retelling of an old fairytale, in which a Russian princess is turned into a swan by day by an evil baron, and only true love can break the spell. Set in the modern day, Jessica Duchen has created believable and likeable characters to tell the story. Well worth the read, particularly if you want something light and easy to read.
December 29, 2018
Odette is a Swan Lake retelling. Now, I’ve never seen Black Swan, I’m not a ballet person and I’m not a big fan of classical music. But I loved Odette. I loved the tale, the girl, the swan. So what happens in this beautifully written story? As a swan Odette comes crashing through Mitzi’s window and the two become fast friends, even though Mitzi is in for a bit of a shock when night falls and Odette the swan turns into Odette the girl. It’s bittersweet seeing Odette try and fit in in this modern world she doesn’t know or understand, it’s a joy seeing friendship bloom, the mysterious baron and his curse on Odette propel the story forward and yes there’s also a love interest or two, or maybe three. Extra brownie points for the subtle avian references woven into the narrative.
Highly recommended, even if you’re not that into fairytale retellings
Highly recommended, even if you’re not that into fairytale retellings
December 26, 2018
I have just finished reading Odette by Jessica Duchen stave by stave with The Pigeonhole. I thoroughly enjoyed its fairytale quality and the marvellous characters, with whom I immediately fell in love. A brilliant Christmas read for anyone who loves stories from ballet, fairy stories in general and total escapism in a book.
December 26, 2018
Odette is a modern retelling of the classic fairytale Swan Lake. It's very well written and full of magic and enchantment as you would expect. I was looking for a nice winter read and this definitely fit the bill (pun intended)
December 27, 2018
This was a wonderfully modern retelling of the Swan Lake story, set in a modern British University Town (amusingly called Cygnford which gave me an inordinate amount of rather punny pleasure) that is loosely based on Cambridge. There is a strangely cosy feel to it all, despite the rather bleak references to modern day slavery and homelessness. This feeling mainly comes from our heroine Mitzi, she is naive and innocent, particularly for a journalist, but not in an aggravating way - it is just the way she is and her ability to see only the best in everyone is refreshing and somehow the author manages to steer her away from becoming cloying.
I was rather annoyed that Mitzi took so long to realise the parallels between Odette and her swan / human cycling with the rise and set of the moon and Swan Lake. Even after Odette tells Mitzi her origin story and gives up the name Odile Mitzi is clueless - all she knows is that it reminds her of a fairytale she once read. Seriously, I wanted to slap her - everything you need to join the dots is there on a plate and still you cannot see it?
Odette herself is a joy, her 180+ years of exile have left this delicate soul unsullied by modernity and her almost medieval outlook on the world is masterfully executed. Her joy in the simplest of things and her wonder at almost everything (especially chicken-tails) made me light up inside, she is almost childlike in her enthusiasms and this nicely juxtaposed with the pace and rush of the modern setting. Not to say that she is perfect, this Swan Princess has a temper and we get to see this seep on to the page in little flashes before one ghastly event in the University cloisters.
The tale nicely parallels the original Swan Lake story and goes with the "bad" ending where her Prince, fooled by Odile and the evil Rothbart in to betraying Odette takes refuge in the icy lake waters leaving his love to remain a swan forever. Despite that Odette has not given up and she is still searching for love - love that she hopes to find with Mitzt's charismatic struggling-actor brother Harry. Odette is looking for the storybook eternal love but Harry only understands the modern-day physical, fleeting and ephemeral love which does not bode well for Odette's hopes and plans. Whilst Odette only has eyes for Harry, Chris (his musician friend and housemate) is falling in love with Odette and when she shares her passion for music with him he falls irrevocably in to unrequited love.
The showdown with Rothbart is actually shocking and completely took me by surprise. His new identity in the world was unexpected and, to be honest, quite traumatic in it's execution. Mitzi though shows her true colours in defence of her friend and she refuses to allow Rothbart to steal Odette away. With support from Harry and Chris we meander to the end of the tale, whilst not a typical fairytale Happy Ever After it does has a feeling of satisfaction to it and I am NOT going to give it away - except to say that the moral of this fairytale has parallels with Maleficent.
This is a skillfully written book that weaves the supernatural so seamlessly with the mundane that the fact a woman turns in to a swan with the rise of the sun seems entirely plausible. The only thing that distracted me from the story was an issue of my own making - I noticed throughout that the colours of red and purple were constantly making little cameo appearances (in the colour of clothes, decorations, signage) and it started me wondering what they meant to the story or to the author as they were such a strong presence, almost characters in their own right. Now, this could be because of the Black/White imagery of Odile and Odette in the traditional ballet retelling of the story making me look for the colour significance or it could be purely accidental and I made another mountain out of a thimble full of earth.
This was an unexpectedly magical book that really did transport me to another world, a world steeped in the misery of the modern day but with the timelessness of Hope.
THIS IS AN HONEST AND UNBIASED REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA THE PIGEONHOLE.
I was rather annoyed that Mitzi took so long to realise the parallels between Odette and her swan / human cycling with the rise and set of the moon and Swan Lake. Even after Odette tells Mitzi her origin story and gives up the name Odile Mitzi is clueless - all she knows is that it reminds her of a fairytale she once read. Seriously, I wanted to slap her - everything you need to join the dots is there on a plate and still you cannot see it?
Odette herself is a joy, her 180+ years of exile have left this delicate soul unsullied by modernity and her almost medieval outlook on the world is masterfully executed. Her joy in the simplest of things and her wonder at almost everything (especially chicken-tails) made me light up inside, she is almost childlike in her enthusiasms and this nicely juxtaposed with the pace and rush of the modern setting. Not to say that she is perfect, this Swan Princess has a temper and we get to see this seep on to the page in little flashes before one ghastly event in the University cloisters.
The tale nicely parallels the original Swan Lake story and goes with the "bad" ending where her Prince, fooled by Odile and the evil Rothbart in to betraying Odette takes refuge in the icy lake waters leaving his love to remain a swan forever. Despite that Odette has not given up and she is still searching for love - love that she hopes to find with Mitzt's charismatic struggling-actor brother Harry. Odette is looking for the storybook eternal love but Harry only understands the modern-day physical, fleeting and ephemeral love which does not bode well for Odette's hopes and plans. Whilst Odette only has eyes for Harry, Chris (his musician friend and housemate) is falling in love with Odette and when she shares her passion for music with him he falls irrevocably in to unrequited love.
The showdown with Rothbart is actually shocking and completely took me by surprise. His new identity in the world was unexpected and, to be honest, quite traumatic in it's execution. Mitzi though shows her true colours in defence of her friend and she refuses to allow Rothbart to steal Odette away. With support from Harry and Chris we meander to the end of the tale, whilst not a typical fairytale Happy Ever After it does has a feeling of satisfaction to it and I am NOT going to give it away - except to say that the moral of this fairytale has parallels with Maleficent.
This is a skillfully written book that weaves the supernatural so seamlessly with the mundane that the fact a woman turns in to a swan with the rise of the sun seems entirely plausible. The only thing that distracted me from the story was an issue of my own making - I noticed throughout that the colours of red and purple were constantly making little cameo appearances (in the colour of clothes, decorations, signage) and it started me wondering what they meant to the story or to the author as they were such a strong presence, almost characters in their own right. Now, this could be because of the Black/White imagery of Odile and Odette in the traditional ballet retelling of the story making me look for the colour significance or it could be purely accidental and I made another mountain out of a thimble full of earth.
This was an unexpectedly magical book that really did transport me to another world, a world steeped in the misery of the modern day but with the timelessness of Hope.
THIS IS AN HONEST AND UNBIASED REVIEW OF A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK RECEIVED VIA THE PIGEONHOLE.
December 19, 2018
What could be better at Christmas than to be swept away by a book based on a wintry fairy tale? Odette is a beautiful and wise novel which effortlessly combines a magical story about an enchanted princess with a contemporary exploration of belonging, acceptance and love.
The book's main focus is on the extraordinary friendship between two women who are brought together by a winter storm. Mitzi Fairweather is the sort of friend that everybody needs and goes out of her way to help others - she's a freelance journalist who writes about the plight of immigrants and she hands over the contents of her purse to a young who begs for money to travel home, claiming her boyfriend has beaten her up. Perhaps the only person Mitzi isn't kind to is herself. She is grieving the loss of her beloved father and the end of her long-term relationship and terrified of being hurt again, has fallen into a cycle of seeking comfort from one night stands that just leave her feeling worse than before. Her sense of empathy means she immediately seeks care for the injured swan that crashes through her window during a storm and even when her life is turned upside down by the astonishing truth and the repercussions that ensue, she continues to care desperately for the plight of Odette.
Mitzi and Odette have very different lives yet there is an innocence about both of them; Mitzi sees the best in people and believes in giving them a chance and Odette is a girl out of time who is confused by the modern world yet retains a simple and infectious joy for life. She casts a beguiling spell over many people she meets yet is still a victim of the darker instincts that infect both people and birds who object to a stranger in their midst. Odette's attempts to understand twenty-first century life in a strange country result in some delightfully humorous moments throughout the story but the book also reflects the realities of how immigrants and refugees are often treated when they find themselves far from home.
I was completely engrossed by this unforgettable novel that so adroitly captures the feeling of an icy fairy tale with brave heroines, evil villains and a seemingly hopeless quest to find love. The best fiction opens doors into other worlds and Odette does just that while still being firmly set in modern England. I couldn't put the book down and became totally immersed in the lives of these characters I grew to really care about. This is truly a story to lose yourself in on a cold winter's eve.
Jessica Duchen has written enchanting magical realism which despite telling an incredible tale somehow feels entirely believable - I never once doubted that Odette really was a Siberian princess who had a spell cast on her by an evil Baron in the nineteenth century. Her love of music plays a vital part in the novel and as such is a lovely tribute to perhaps the best-known version of the story, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. I adored this captivating book which, as all the best fairy tales can, shines a light on real-life and reminds us that no matter who we are and where we're from, we all share a universal need for friendship and love. Highly recommended.
The book's main focus is on the extraordinary friendship between two women who are brought together by a winter storm. Mitzi Fairweather is the sort of friend that everybody needs and goes out of her way to help others - she's a freelance journalist who writes about the plight of immigrants and she hands over the contents of her purse to a young who begs for money to travel home, claiming her boyfriend has beaten her up. Perhaps the only person Mitzi isn't kind to is herself. She is grieving the loss of her beloved father and the end of her long-term relationship and terrified of being hurt again, has fallen into a cycle of seeking comfort from one night stands that just leave her feeling worse than before. Her sense of empathy means she immediately seeks care for the injured swan that crashes through her window during a storm and even when her life is turned upside down by the astonishing truth and the repercussions that ensue, she continues to care desperately for the plight of Odette.
Mitzi and Odette have very different lives yet there is an innocence about both of them; Mitzi sees the best in people and believes in giving them a chance and Odette is a girl out of time who is confused by the modern world yet retains a simple and infectious joy for life. She casts a beguiling spell over many people she meets yet is still a victim of the darker instincts that infect both people and birds who object to a stranger in their midst. Odette's attempts to understand twenty-first century life in a strange country result in some delightfully humorous moments throughout the story but the book also reflects the realities of how immigrants and refugees are often treated when they find themselves far from home.
I was completely engrossed by this unforgettable novel that so adroitly captures the feeling of an icy fairy tale with brave heroines, evil villains and a seemingly hopeless quest to find love. The best fiction opens doors into other worlds and Odette does just that while still being firmly set in modern England. I couldn't put the book down and became totally immersed in the lives of these characters I grew to really care about. This is truly a story to lose yourself in on a cold winter's eve.
Jessica Duchen has written enchanting magical realism which despite telling an incredible tale somehow feels entirely believable - I never once doubted that Odette really was a Siberian princess who had a spell cast on her by an evil Baron in the nineteenth century. Her love of music plays a vital part in the novel and as such is a lovely tribute to perhaps the best-known version of the story, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. I adored this captivating book which, as all the best fairy tales can, shines a light on real-life and reminds us that no matter who we are and where we're from, we all share a universal need for friendship and love. Highly recommended.
December 16, 2018
This is a novel of many things, life, love, folklore and a huge dollop of magic. On one level this works like an ordinary story of a young woman whose life has been difficult, but who is finding her feet. The mystical fantasy is so well done, as a girl in need seems to crash into her life. As a metaphor for the others in life, those on the outside, this is a powerful fiction which deals with identity, the important elements of a different existence, and the joy of humanity. I found this a mature and confident book, written with a lightness of touch which reflects the element of flight inherent to the story. The subtitle, “A 21st Century Fairy – Tale”, reflects the nature of a book as an adult fable, when so much of life is challenged. I was really grateful to read and review this book as part of a blog tour.
Mitzi is a young woman managing to get by on fees for writing articles and pieces for the local papers. She is living in a cheap flat filled with the books belonging to her mysterious landlord, Rob. She finds the classic tales that speak of magic and romance but is saddened by the betrayal by her one time boyfriend at a time of loss. She nevertheless worries about those around her who live on the streets, who are forced to work, and tries to help them. Her brother Harry, a struggling actor, finds fulfilment in assuming other identities. Into a window crashes a swan, and Mitzi discovers a friend who knows nothing of life in twenty – first century Britain, who has no money, papers or clothes but who is driven to find love. The humour of this book is nicely judged as Odette, a young woman, discovers cocktails, pizza and other things that people take for granted. People make assumptions about Odette, just as they have about Mitzi, but the spells on both have to be challenged.
This is a book which combines lovely, lyrical writing with the hard facts of life, where women are judged and manipulated. It is genuinely funny, when a swan behaves as a human girl in another guise, when misunderstandings occur with modern life. So many elements of beauty, music and stories shine through, even when progress seems impossible. The ending is really exciting, and revelations are significant. I really enjoyed the writing style, where Mitzi is a young woman with real concerns and yet the magic of the story shines throughout the book. This story really works in its unpredictability and its subtle blend of magic and reality. The writing really kept me turning the pages as I was really eager to discover what would happen next to characters I engaged with easily. This is a genuinely well written book which succeeds in so many ways; fantasy, realism and a good grasp of what makes people tick, with subtle references to those people who get stuck without hope. A beautiful book, I can really recommend it as an absorbing read.
Mitzi is a young woman managing to get by on fees for writing articles and pieces for the local papers. She is living in a cheap flat filled with the books belonging to her mysterious landlord, Rob. She finds the classic tales that speak of magic and romance but is saddened by the betrayal by her one time boyfriend at a time of loss. She nevertheless worries about those around her who live on the streets, who are forced to work, and tries to help them. Her brother Harry, a struggling actor, finds fulfilment in assuming other identities. Into a window crashes a swan, and Mitzi discovers a friend who knows nothing of life in twenty – first century Britain, who has no money, papers or clothes but who is driven to find love. The humour of this book is nicely judged as Odette, a young woman, discovers cocktails, pizza and other things that people take for granted. People make assumptions about Odette, just as they have about Mitzi, but the spells on both have to be challenged.
This is a book which combines lovely, lyrical writing with the hard facts of life, where women are judged and manipulated. It is genuinely funny, when a swan behaves as a human girl in another guise, when misunderstandings occur with modern life. So many elements of beauty, music and stories shine through, even when progress seems impossible. The ending is really exciting, and revelations are significant. I really enjoyed the writing style, where Mitzi is a young woman with real concerns and yet the magic of the story shines throughout the book. This story really works in its unpredictability and its subtle blend of magic and reality. The writing really kept me turning the pages as I was really eager to discover what would happen next to characters I engaged with easily. This is a genuinely well written book which succeeds in so many ways; fantasy, realism and a good grasp of what makes people tick, with subtle references to those people who get stuck without hope. A beautiful book, I can really recommend it as an absorbing read.
December 18, 2018
(I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
I'm so glad I picked up this book when I did; after a string of 2-star reads I was starting to feel guilty and burnt out. But the writing is fantastic, elegantly descriptive without being lurid, and the characters are nuanced. A lot of important social themes come up naturally, from pursuing your passions to xenophobia to philanthropy to moral dilemmas; a lot of it is well-trodden ground, but the topics are still extremely relevant and the tone isn't preachy. There's also much more emphasis on friendships than on romance, even while keeping the male-centered conditions of Odette's curse at the forefront of the plot.
Possibly my favorite thing about this story is the way it's been adapted: beyond simply retelling the fairy tale with a contemporary backdrop, Duchen has actually incorporated modern concerns and attitudes (leasing terms, bureaucratic paperwork/police concerns, the nature of interpersonal relationships, etc.), making the narrative unique and memorable. The ending was a little bit abrupt, but I think it works well with the tone and setup.
And the characters are terrific too. Mitzi is a complex protagonist, balancing Good Samaritan impulses with her own financial struggles, pursuing her career while trying to keep sight of her personal interests, worrying about her actor-hopeful little brother; she's easy to relate to and sympathize with. On the other hand, Odette displays the typical sheltered-princess-discovers-reality culture shock: she's innocent and wide-eyed and optimistic in a way that charms everyone around her, but this card is played sparingly enough that it's not grating — just enough to demonstrate how it influences her understanding of the world and her interactions with others. (There's potential "othering"/exoticism issues with her poor English, but in addition to being Russian she's a hundred-plus-year-old princess, so I wasn't bothered by it, but others may feel differently.) You can't help but want to protect her, just as Mitzi does, and to feel her longing for freedom warring with her love of flying.
I'm so glad I picked up this book when I did; after a string of 2-star reads I was starting to feel guilty and burnt out. But the writing is fantastic, elegantly descriptive without being lurid, and the characters are nuanced. A lot of important social themes come up naturally, from pursuing your passions to xenophobia to philanthropy to moral dilemmas; a lot of it is well-trodden ground, but the topics are still extremely relevant and the tone isn't preachy. There's also much more emphasis on friendships than on romance, even while keeping the male-centered conditions of Odette's curse at the forefront of the plot.
Possibly my favorite thing about this story is the way it's been adapted: beyond simply retelling the fairy tale with a contemporary backdrop, Duchen has actually incorporated modern concerns and attitudes (leasing terms, bureaucratic paperwork/police concerns, the nature of interpersonal relationships, etc.), making the narrative unique and memorable. The ending was a little bit abrupt, but I think it works well with the tone and setup.
And the characters are terrific too. Mitzi is a complex protagonist, balancing Good Samaritan impulses with her own financial struggles, pursuing her career while trying to keep sight of her personal interests, worrying about her actor-hopeful little brother; she's easy to relate to and sympathize with. On the other hand, Odette displays the typical sheltered-princess-discovers-reality culture shock: she's innocent and wide-eyed and optimistic in a way that charms everyone around her, but this card is played sparingly enough that it's not grating — just enough to demonstrate how it influences her understanding of the world and her interactions with others. (There's potential "othering"/exoticism issues with her poor English, but in addition to being Russian she's a hundred-plus-year-old princess, so I wasn't bothered by it, but others may feel differently.) You can't help but want to protect her, just as Mitzi does, and to feel her longing for freedom warring with her love of flying.
December 17, 2018
This was a unique retelling of the classic Swan Princess / Swan Lake story, with a modern twist to the tale that’s easy to read, with fun new adaptions.
I enjoyed the storyline which was different to any other version that I have come across. It maintained just enough of the original story, whilst adding or adapting certain elements. For example, this was set in modern times, and the princess was being helped by teens. I found that this change made it more relatable in an odd way, and many would find it so.
I enjoyed the writing style for the most part, which was engaging, easy to read, and generally fun to engage with, my only comment here would be that the Author has written the swap princesses speech in a way which I found difficult to follow, but this is down to personal preference. I prefer to be told how someone speaks, and imagine it rather than read it, as I find that reading an accent makes it very distracting for me.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the story very much. The Characters were very well crafted, each was individual and added a fun element to the story. I enjoyed reading about Mitzi and Chris particularly, their characters were fun and just that bit different.
I enjoyed the fact that this retelling doesn’t concentrate on romantic love, but rather it considers that in the form of friendship instead, which I found to be that bit more magical. As much as I love the original story, I find that we need more out there that considers friendship to be more valuable in many ways, and certainly those are needed that do not consider romantic love to be a prerequisite of a happy life.
This was a fun retelling overall, and certainly one I would suggest to any who enjoy retellings of traditional stories, and especially those who favour the story of Swan Lake / Swan Princess.
I enjoyed the storyline which was different to any other version that I have come across. It maintained just enough of the original story, whilst adding or adapting certain elements. For example, this was set in modern times, and the princess was being helped by teens. I found that this change made it more relatable in an odd way, and many would find it so.
I enjoyed the writing style for the most part, which was engaging, easy to read, and generally fun to engage with, my only comment here would be that the Author has written the swap princesses speech in a way which I found difficult to follow, but this is down to personal preference. I prefer to be told how someone speaks, and imagine it rather than read it, as I find that reading an accent makes it very distracting for me.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the story very much. The Characters were very well crafted, each was individual and added a fun element to the story. I enjoyed reading about Mitzi and Chris particularly, their characters were fun and just that bit different.
I enjoyed the fact that this retelling doesn’t concentrate on romantic love, but rather it considers that in the form of friendship instead, which I found to be that bit more magical. As much as I love the original story, I find that we need more out there that considers friendship to be more valuable in many ways, and certainly those are needed that do not consider romantic love to be a prerequisite of a happy life.
This was a fun retelling overall, and certainly one I would suggest to any who enjoy retellings of traditional stories, and especially those who favour the story of Swan Lake / Swan Princess.
December 19, 2018
3.5 stars
'Tis the season to curl up and enjoy a magical modern-day fairy tale. Odette is a twenty-first-century retelling of Swan Lake.
It's more years than I care to remember when I saw the Swan Lake ballet at a theatre so, I read a little about the original story and origins before reading this novel, for no other reason than curiosity. My decision to do so in no way impacts my thoughts on this novel.
Living in the delightfully named fictitious town of Cygnford, single Mitzi Fairweather is a journalist with financial woes. When a swan crashes through the window of her rented flat, she's relieved the poor bird is alive, albeit injured. After taking the bird to see a vet, she decides to keep the bird at her home, while it recovers, only to find a woman in its place the following day.
There's plenty to appreciate in Ms Duchen's interpretation of Swan Lake. Her descriptions of the scenes and characters are laced with musical references which adds a wonderful depth to the narrative. Also included are topical references to today's society firmly cementing the authenticity of this contemporary narrative. The ending is a surprise and one which panders to my own personal reading taste, which is perfect. I love a novel which keeps on giving after the final words have been read and I'm lost in thought.
The writing flows at a steady pace to keep the reader invested in the narrative as it unfolds. It includes a strong message about the power of friendship which deviates away from a romance I was expecting. For me, there's a lack of emotion, a missing 'je ne sais quoi' to elevate this enchanting story to another level. Yet despite this, I still appreciated this adaptation.
Overall, an enjoyable novel with broad appeal especially at this festive time of year.
***Review copy generously received courtesy of the publisher***
'Tis the season to curl up and enjoy a magical modern-day fairy tale. Odette is a twenty-first-century retelling of Swan Lake.
It's more years than I care to remember when I saw the Swan Lake ballet at a theatre so, I read a little about the original story and origins before reading this novel, for no other reason than curiosity. My decision to do so in no way impacts my thoughts on this novel.
Living in the delightfully named fictitious town of Cygnford, single Mitzi Fairweather is a journalist with financial woes. When a swan crashes through the window of her rented flat, she's relieved the poor bird is alive, albeit injured. After taking the bird to see a vet, she decides to keep the bird at her home, while it recovers, only to find a woman in its place the following day.
There's plenty to appreciate in Ms Duchen's interpretation of Swan Lake. Her descriptions of the scenes and characters are laced with musical references which adds a wonderful depth to the narrative. Also included are topical references to today's society firmly cementing the authenticity of this contemporary narrative. The ending is a surprise and one which panders to my own personal reading taste, which is perfect. I love a novel which keeps on giving after the final words have been read and I'm lost in thought.
The writing flows at a steady pace to keep the reader invested in the narrative as it unfolds. It includes a strong message about the power of friendship which deviates away from a romance I was expecting. For me, there's a lack of emotion, a missing 'je ne sais quoi' to elevate this enchanting story to another level. Yet despite this, I still appreciated this adaptation.
Overall, an enjoyable novel with broad appeal especially at this festive time of year.
***Review copy generously received courtesy of the publisher***
December 23, 2018
A magical modern day retelling of Swan Lake , Odette by Jessica Duchen is an enchanting and entertaining read. Journalist Mitzi is shocked when a swan flies through the window of her rented apartment, but that is nothing compared to her stupefaction when night falls and she finds a strange young Russian woman and no trace of the swan. Despite her initial disbelief, she eventually comes to believe Odette's tale about a magical curse and an evil magician, and decides to help her, not just to navigate a strange world so different from anything she has known, but to try to find a way to break the curse.
The book is well written and I loved the way the story was updated , I thought the culture clash between Odette's life in Russia and her experiences in modern England was really well done, and added to my enjoyment of the book. I liked the pacing too, though I did feel that the ending felt a little rushed in comparison to the slower build up, which was especially evident in the first half of the book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
The book is well written and I loved the way the story was updated , I thought the culture clash between Odette's life in Russia and her experiences in modern England was really well done, and added to my enjoyment of the book. I liked the pacing too, though I did feel that the ending felt a little rushed in comparison to the slower build up, which was especially evident in the first half of the book.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
December 20, 2018
I have loved the story of Swan Lake ever since I was a child. Of course, it was coupled with the music of Tchaikovsky and the brilliance of pointe shoes and followed by the animated movie The Swan Princess, but it's a story dear to my heart. I feel like Jessica did a decent job of modernizing the story, though I felt disappointed that Odette wasn't exposed more to present day society. Mitzi seemed to abandon Odette for Rob far too quickly. It was also fairly obvious that Harry was a poor choice and Chris was a better one so I wish the story had turned in that direction.
I was provided an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2018
An enjoyable and bewitching retelling of Swan Lake set in the present day in the fictional town of Cyngford. 🦢🦢
I read this via the Pigeonhole app over the festive season and it definitely added some magic and sparkle to my Christmas! It’s a lovely, enchanting read which I can highly recommend to those who enjoy fairytales and legends retold from a modern perspective. It’s not a particularly long story but it packs quite a punch and has a great little twist at the end.
Perfect for reading in front of the fire on a frosty day whilst drinking a lime blossom tea! ☕️. To understand the connection, you will just have to read the book!
I read this via the Pigeonhole app over the festive season and it definitely added some magic and sparkle to my Christmas! It’s a lovely, enchanting read which I can highly recommend to those who enjoy fairytales and legends retold from a modern perspective. It’s not a particularly long story but it packs quite a punch and has a great little twist at the end.
Perfect for reading in front of the fire on a frosty day whilst drinking a lime blossom tea! ☕️. To understand the connection, you will just have to read the book!
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