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Turandot
"Set in Peking, this story concerns the princess Turandot, who will consent to marry only a man who can answer the three riddles she poses. The many suitors who fail her challenge forfeit their heads, but when Calaf arrives, he falls in love with Turandot, answers the riddles, and wins her heart....Varied and dramatic in composition, the polished illustrations in cool hues have an underlying sense of elegance and musicality." Booklist. Author's note.
52 pages, Hardcover
First published September 27, 1995
150 people want to read
About the author
Marianna Mayer
61 books80 followersMarianna Mayer is a children's book author and artist recognized for her beautifully written retellings of classic folk and fairy tales. Born in New York City, she began her artistic training early and studied at the Art Students League after a year of college. Her first book was published at the age of nineteen. Mayer has authored several acclaimed works, including Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, Pegasus, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses, often collaborating with renowned illustrators such as Kinuko Y. Craft and Michael Hague. She was previously married to illustrator Mercer Mayer.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 25, 2017
I read this because I won tickets to the Chicago Lyric Opera’s critically acclaimed production of this opera by Giacomo Puccini, a story I confess I knew nothing about. So I have with me 2-3 dvd productions, the libretto, and this children’s picture book version by Marissa Mayer, illustrated by Wilson Pels with full page sumptuous paintings.
We get the basic story in this book: A beautiful princess, Turandot (daughter of Turan) is also cruel. Her father insists she marry; she is resistant, so sets up a riddle format to test suitors: Answer all three questions or die. The number of beheaded saps begins to add up. Until a stranger, Calaf, rolls into town who answers the questions. He can have her, but won’t unless she answers his own riddle, and agrees to marry him on her own terms.
The story is featured in a Persian collection, The Book of a Thousand and One Days, not to be confused with a Thousand and One Nights, though it is also adapted in the latter book as one tale. It was made into a number of operas, but Puccini’s is the most famous, set to a libretto in Italian by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simon, though it was not quite complete at his death. It was finally completed—and more than once-- and premiered in 1926. This picturebook is a good intro to the fairy tale.
We get the basic story in this book: A beautiful princess, Turandot (daughter of Turan) is also cruel. Her father insists she marry; she is resistant, so sets up a riddle format to test suitors: Answer all three questions or die. The number of beheaded saps begins to add up. Until a stranger, Calaf, rolls into town who answers the questions. He can have her, but won’t unless she answers his own riddle, and agrees to marry him on her own terms.
The story is featured in a Persian collection, The Book of a Thousand and One Days, not to be confused with a Thousand and One Nights, though it is also adapted in the latter book as one tale. It was made into a number of operas, but Puccini’s is the most famous, set to a libretto in Italian by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simon, though it was not quite complete at his death. It was finally completed—and more than once-- and premiered in 1926. This picturebook is a good intro to the fairy tale.
September 28, 2010
There's something to be said about a child's fairy tale book that makes you choke up at the end.
Something should definitely be said, or typed, rather.
This book is one of those tales told time and again, but illustrators like to take their hand at making their own version.
This isn't a nice clean fairy tale and a few illustrations border on the sensual SO I don't recommend that you read this to your children, but it's worth checking out yourself. Beautiful art and a tender, moving tale.
I listened to some of Puccini's Turandot opera after reading this and was moved once again. Wow.
Something should definitely be said, or typed, rather.
This book is one of those tales told time and again, but illustrators like to take their hand at making their own version.
This isn't a nice clean fairy tale and a few illustrations border on the sensual SO I don't recommend that you read this to your children, but it's worth checking out yourself. Beautiful art and a tender, moving tale.
I listened to some of Puccini's Turandot opera after reading this and was moved once again. Wow.
June 22, 2017
I had never heard of this opera or the stories it came from. My son and I really enjoyed this story. It even inspired conversations about the type of person he would want to marry. We liked the illustrations and felt they conveyed the story well and the coldness of the princess. We thought the three ministers were cute old men.
January 21, 2021
Gorgeous art!
September 11, 2011
I love this easy to read story based upon the Opera Turandot in three acts by Giacomo Puccini, set to a libretto in Italian by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni.
Any man who desires to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles. If he fails, he will be beheaded.The Prince of Persia has failed and is to be beheaded at moonrise.The next Prince(Calaf)_
awaits for dawn and anticipates his victory: "Nessun Dorma,_ "Nobody shall sleep!... Nobody shall sleep! Even you, O Princess he sings..I ADORE NESSUN DORMA..I know all the words & can sing it!!!!.He reproaches Turandot for her cruelty Princess Turandot( Principessa di morte – "Princess of death") and then takes her in his arms and kisses her in spite of her resistance.The Prince tries to convince Turandot to love him. At first she is disgusted, but after he kisses her, she feels herself turning towards passion. She admits that, ever since he came, she had both hated and loved him. She asks him to ask for nothing more and to leave, taking his mystery with him. The Prince however, reveals his name, "Calàf, son of Timur" and places his life in Turandot's hands. She can now destroy him if she wants.At Dawn:
Turandot and Calàf approach the Emperor's throne. She declares that she knows the Prince's name: Diecimila anni al nostro Imperatore! – "It is ... love!" The crowd cheers and acclaims the two lovers (O sole! Vita! Eternità)!!!!!
I think I'll read it again!!!!!!!!!!!LOVE IT!!!!!!
Any man who desires to wed Turandot must first answer her three riddles. If he fails, he will be beheaded.The Prince of Persia has failed and is to be beheaded at moonrise.The next Prince(Calaf)_
awaits for dawn and anticipates his victory: "Nessun Dorma,_ "Nobody shall sleep!... Nobody shall sleep! Even you, O Princess he sings..I ADORE NESSUN DORMA..I know all the words & can sing it!!!!.He reproaches Turandot for her cruelty Princess Turandot( Principessa di morte – "Princess of death") and then takes her in his arms and kisses her in spite of her resistance.The Prince tries to convince Turandot to love him. At first she is disgusted, but after he kisses her, she feels herself turning towards passion. She admits that, ever since he came, she had both hated and loved him. She asks him to ask for nothing more and to leave, taking his mystery with him. The Prince however, reveals his name, "Calàf, son of Timur" and places his life in Turandot's hands. She can now destroy him if she wants.At Dawn:
Turandot and Calàf approach the Emperor's throne. She declares that she knows the Prince's name: Diecimila anni al nostro Imperatore! – "It is ... love!" The crowd cheers and acclaims the two lovers (O sole! Vita! Eternità)!!!!!
I think I'll read it again!!!!!!!!!!!LOVE IT!!!!!!
May 13, 2015
This gorgeous, color book takes its cue from the Puccini opera as well as its various antecedents. In this tale of a strangely icy, murderous princess, Ms. Mayer weaves her tale with haunting prose. The illustrations by Winslow Pels are simply sublime with the various elements echoing each other. The princess’s beauty is complemented by the tiger that is her companion, its stripes echoed in her tattoos and its cool blue eyes along with the slit irises a match for hers. The illustrations are in cool hues for the most part until they burst into warmer tones. Turandot is a feast for the eyes and a wonderful introduction to the world of Italian opera.
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January 14, 20141/12.13
7words:China,princess,cruel,meet ,question,die,love
DQ:The main character bet his life for getting princess's love.
Can you do like this?
A:I can't do it.
Because if I could get love from someone,I can't feel it.
it is sad.
this story is little difficult.
Actually,I can't understand all of this story.
I understand about the story.
I can't understand about his mind.
7words:China,princess,cruel,meet ,question,die,love
DQ:The main character bet his life for getting princess's love.
Can you do like this?
A:I can't do it.
Because if I could get love from someone,I can't feel it.
it is sad.
this story is little difficult.
Actually,I can't understand all of this story.
I understand about the story.
I can't understand about his mind.
March 24, 2016
I have never been disappointed by Mayer’s fairytale retellings or by the illustrations that have accompanied them. Both are stunning.
July 14, 2010
Beautifully illustrated.
May 15, 2012
The illustrations in this book are breathtaking.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews