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Triple Ripple: A Fabulous Fairytale
Combining fairytale with a modern girl's story, this story skillfully weaves together three tales and reveals the magic of the writer's creative journey The Writer begins with a sparkly good idea for a fabulous fairytale. A girl called Glory is sent to work in the Royal Palace, where the queen is planning a grand ball and a bad-tempered princess is sorting through jewels and tiaras. And, unknown to Glory, the threads of her destiny are coming together. Meanwhile, Nova is reading the fairytale—they are not usually her thing, but right now she's feeling a bit messy and lost. Her best friend has gone away and bitchy Dylan is hassling her. Still, Nova is curious to find out why Glory's mother is scrabbling under the bed for an old magic book. Can the Writer make everything turn out happily ever after? Will the princess find true love? Will Glory escape a secret curse? And can Nova smooth out the lumps and bumps in her life?
252 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
About the author
Brigid Lowry
18 books77 followersBrigid Lowry was born in New Zealand into a rather strange but very creative family. Here she learned a love of books, too many swear words and how to cook a decent omelette. Brigid's early, rather awful poetry was made into a small book by her father, a printer and typographer, and sold to kindly relatives for two and sixpence a copy. Thus her writing career was launched, but it took about twenty years for her to take it to a higher place. In the meantime she tried being a hippie, a waitress, a software tutor, a librarian, a mother, a wife and a primary school teacher.
At the age of thirty five Brigid returned to university and began to publish poetry and short fiction. Her first young adult book was Fizz & Max & Me, which was published in the Dolly Fiction series. As well as teaching her how to write dialogue, this book paid Brigid the grand sum of $3000 and inspired her to apply for an Arts Council Grant for funding to write a second young adult book. With the grant safely in the bank, armed with nothing more than a flimsy idea about a girl who wanted a nose-ring, Brigid wrote Guitar Highway Rose. Constructed in a quirky collage style, this book was a runaway success. It was shortlisted for a number of major prizes in Australia, and won the WA Hoffman Young Readers Choice Award.
Brigid's star sign is Aries, and she has a tattoo of an island, a palm tree and a planet on her left shoulder. She has an MA in Creative Writing and teaches creative writing here and there. Brigid is currently working on a new young adult book and has recently returned to live in her homeland, New Zealand, after living for 27 wonderful years in Australia.
At the age of thirty five Brigid returned to university and began to publish poetry and short fiction. Her first young adult book was Fizz & Max & Me, which was published in the Dolly Fiction series. As well as teaching her how to write dialogue, this book paid Brigid the grand sum of $3000 and inspired her to apply for an Arts Council Grant for funding to write a second young adult book. With the grant safely in the bank, armed with nothing more than a flimsy idea about a girl who wanted a nose-ring, Brigid wrote Guitar Highway Rose. Constructed in a quirky collage style, this book was a runaway success. It was shortlisted for a number of major prizes in Australia, and won the WA Hoffman Young Readers Choice Award.
Brigid's star sign is Aries, and she has a tattoo of an island, a palm tree and a planet on her left shoulder. She has an MA in Creative Writing and teaches creative writing here and there. Brigid is currently working on a new young adult book and has recently returned to live in her homeland, New Zealand, after living for 27 wonderful years in Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 2, 2011
‘Triple Ripple: A Fabulous Fairytale’ is the new young adult book from Brigid Lowry.
‘Triple Ripple’ is a wonderful Grimm-esque fairytale that folds in on itself and splinters into three different stories. Reminiscent of ‘The Neverending Story’ and ‘The Princess Bride’, Lowry writes from three different perspectives - the characters, reader and writer - as they journey through the plot on a conspicuously parallel time-line.
The writer has come up with a fabulous fairytale about a girl called Glory. . .
. . . Glory has just been employed at the Royal Palace, to help in preparation for the Queen’s grand ball . . . little does she know that her destiny awaits, in the most unlikely of places . . .
And finally there’s Nova, the reader. Nova is fifteen and dealing with typical teen pressures and loneliness. Fantasy isn’t really her forté, but she needs a short escape from her hassles. . .
‘Triple Ripple’ is such a smart book. Lowry has written no mean feat for herself, by intertwining three different perspectives on a parallel time-line, but alternate universes. It may sound complicated and convoluted, but Lowry’s book is utterly charming and consuming. You get lost in the prose and become excitedly dazed by the complexity of the plot. And formatting ensures the layered tale is told with absolute ease, as each narrator has a different font, and sub-heading.
“. . . On the afternoon of the grand balls, servant boys polish the dance floor by grating beeswax upon it, then sliding about with auld sacks on their feet, skating and laughing most joyous, despite the admonitions of the head butler, whose face, as I remember, resembled a shriveled prune. I do believe those lads had more fun readying the dance floor than the dancers did in the evening.”
“It does sound wondrous indeed; this world within a world. Is the palace a happy place, then?”
A strange look came over her mother’s face.
“It is a place like any other. You’ll find good and bad there, as you find anywhere else.” Her tone was sharp, as if her daughter had spilt milk or forgotten to light the fire. “Come now, Child. It’s time for bed,” she continued, more gently.
‘Triple Ripple’ is a dazzling little read – it’s aimed at the younger end of the young adult spectrum, but Lowry’s tricky storytelling ensures that the book will be enjoyed by a wide audience.
‘Triple Ripple’ is a wonderful Grimm-esque fairytale that folds in on itself and splinters into three different stories. Reminiscent of ‘The Neverending Story’ and ‘The Princess Bride’, Lowry writes from three different perspectives - the characters, reader and writer - as they journey through the plot on a conspicuously parallel time-line.
The writer has come up with a fabulous fairytale about a girl called Glory. . .
. . . Glory has just been employed at the Royal Palace, to help in preparation for the Queen’s grand ball . . . little does she know that her destiny awaits, in the most unlikely of places . . .
And finally there’s Nova, the reader. Nova is fifteen and dealing with typical teen pressures and loneliness. Fantasy isn’t really her forté, but she needs a short escape from her hassles. . .
‘Triple Ripple’ is such a smart book. Lowry has written no mean feat for herself, by intertwining three different perspectives on a parallel time-line, but alternate universes. It may sound complicated and convoluted, but Lowry’s book is utterly charming and consuming. You get lost in the prose and become excitedly dazed by the complexity of the plot. And formatting ensures the layered tale is told with absolute ease, as each narrator has a different font, and sub-heading.
“. . . On the afternoon of the grand balls, servant boys polish the dance floor by grating beeswax upon it, then sliding about with auld sacks on their feet, skating and laughing most joyous, despite the admonitions of the head butler, whose face, as I remember, resembled a shriveled prune. I do believe those lads had more fun readying the dance floor than the dancers did in the evening.”
“It does sound wondrous indeed; this world within a world. Is the palace a happy place, then?”
A strange look came over her mother’s face.
“It is a place like any other. You’ll find good and bad there, as you find anywhere else.” Her tone was sharp, as if her daughter had spilt milk or forgotten to light the fire. “Come now, Child. It’s time for bed,” she continued, more gently.
‘Triple Ripple’ is a dazzling little read – it’s aimed at the younger end of the young adult spectrum, but Lowry’s tricky storytelling ensures that the book will be enjoyed by a wide audience.
December 24, 2011
I’m hard pressed to say that a novel I’ve read is one-of-a-kind. There’s a lot of books out there, everything’s been done, and most authors are striving to put a unique twist on something that, if you look hard enough, is a trope we’ve seen before. TRIPLE RIPPLE, though, surprised me. If there are other books like this out there, I haven’t seen them.
Brigid Lowry‘s latest follows three oddly intertwined narratives. First there is the writer, who is penning a new fairytale novel, struggling with various creative blocks, and thinking about a reader who might eventually read her story. Then there’s the Glory, the main character of the fairytale, a girl who has recently become a servant at her kingdom’s castle, and who finds herself thrown into the recently vacated position of chambermaid to a very grumpy princess. Thirdly, there’s the reader, a girl named Nova, who is reading Glory’s tale while dealing with her own “grumpy princess” — a bully at school who, like it or not, she’s about to have to deal with in a very real way: in the school counselor’s office.
This fun, fast read is rich with clever humor, lyric prose, and characters that you kind of want to hug. Definitely a great gift to avid readers as well as young aspiring writers who will identify with all three voices in TRIPLE RIPPLE. Heck, I think even pro writers will enjoy this sweet new novel. Personally, I’m really looking forward to future novels from this delightful author.
Brigid Lowry‘s latest follows three oddly intertwined narratives. First there is the writer, who is penning a new fairytale novel, struggling with various creative blocks, and thinking about a reader who might eventually read her story. Then there’s the Glory, the main character of the fairytale, a girl who has recently become a servant at her kingdom’s castle, and who finds herself thrown into the recently vacated position of chambermaid to a very grumpy princess. Thirdly, there’s the reader, a girl named Nova, who is reading Glory’s tale while dealing with her own “grumpy princess” — a bully at school who, like it or not, she’s about to have to deal with in a very real way: in the school counselor’s office.
This fun, fast read is rich with clever humor, lyric prose, and characters that you kind of want to hug. Definitely a great gift to avid readers as well as young aspiring writers who will identify with all three voices in TRIPLE RIPPLE. Heck, I think even pro writers will enjoy this sweet new novel. Personally, I’m really looking forward to future novels from this delightful author.
February 4, 2013
Great concept, poor execution. I hated the writing style and the author has clearly never met a teenager?? Jodi Picoult's Between the Lines was infinitely better.
February 20, 2011
Just divine, loved the three story tellers and the blending of their tales.
July 3, 2019
YA books today all seem to follow a distinct and predictable formula. Authors must include at least three of the following for a book to be considered legit: Warrior Princess, Main Character of Color, LGBT Character/Romance, MPDG or MPDB, Character With Disability, Mental Illness, or Fatal Illness, Tragic Twist. If they can squeeze all of these into 400 pages or less, they’re Authors of the Year. Even though it seems like they’re following a checklist rather than trying to create something truly meaningful and worthy of being read and loved.
Although I’ve read some fantastic books with these characteristics, lately it seems like more and more of a trend. As were Vampires in 2008 and Dystopian Societies a few years later. I can say this because my job has me reading several (as in hundreds) professional and reader reviews each month. When almost all the books blur together to the point where everything sounds the same, there is a problem. And Dewey, we have a problem.
Thus, the worst reading slump since The Great Love Triangle Rebellion of 2010.
This book, while not the deepest or most meaningful thing I’ve ever read, was pretty much none of this. That is, aside from one character having red hair and a brief mention of another possibly liking boys and girls, the author let the reader form their own ideas about the characters. They could be anything or anyone. Totally open-ended and relative to the reader. And I liked that. So refreshing!! I wish more modern books were like this. Anyway... The story was awesome for its fun simplicity. It was adorable and it broke me out of a months-long reading slump.
Although I’ve read some fantastic books with these characteristics, lately it seems like more and more of a trend. As were Vampires in 2008 and Dystopian Societies a few years later. I can say this because my job has me reading several (as in hundreds) professional and reader reviews each month. When almost all the books blur together to the point where everything sounds the same, there is a problem. And Dewey, we have a problem.
Thus, the worst reading slump since The Great Love Triangle Rebellion of 2010.
This book, while not the deepest or most meaningful thing I’ve ever read, was pretty much none of this. That is, aside from one character having red hair and a brief mention of another possibly liking boys and girls, the author let the reader form their own ideas about the characters. They could be anything or anyone. Totally open-ended and relative to the reader. And I liked that. So refreshing!! I wish more modern books were like this. Anyway... The story was awesome for its fun simplicity. It was adorable and it broke me out of a months-long reading slump.
February 2, 2014
I was tossing between 2 or 3 stars, but I settled on 3 because I couldn't get past how creative and unique the concept of this book is. Having the writer contemplating about what should happen next, the reader talking about the book and using it as an outlet from her life and the story itself being developed was really something else.
However, there were some parts which I didn't like or I found unnecessary. Honestly, the fairy tale just really wasn't good, perhaps it just wasn't suited for my age group but it was awfully childish. The fairy tale didn't really seem to have a climax at all and honestly hearing about the life of Mirabella and her tempers bored me. One of the things I found unnecessary was the name of the chapters - at times it was appealing to a sense of humour which was cool, other times it was just lame.
I found it fascinating but sometimes annoying when chapters were re-written slightly different, it gave me a real sense of how writers work. Although I found it awfully confusing when one of the readers part was re-written several times - I thought the reader was her own person and that her life was completely different from the writers. It dawned on me and disappointed me when I realized the writer was controlling everything - even how and when the reader decides to read the fairy tale.
I understand that most fairy tales have a happy ending and all goes well in the end - but I just found this one so cliche it annoyed me in a way. The writer seemed middle aged and appeared to have a lot of life experience however it didn't show in the fairy tale. I assumed the writer would pull out something more deep and meaningful - and have an ending which left me bedazzled.
Nonetheless if it wasn't for the concept of this novel I would've given it 2 or even just 1 star. It was sort of boring and it didn't seem to go anywhere. Definitely aimed at a younger age group, but still an interesting read.
However, there were some parts which I didn't like or I found unnecessary. Honestly, the fairy tale just really wasn't good, perhaps it just wasn't suited for my age group but it was awfully childish. The fairy tale didn't really seem to have a climax at all and honestly hearing about the life of Mirabella and her tempers bored me. One of the things I found unnecessary was the name of the chapters - at times it was appealing to a sense of humour which was cool, other times it was just lame.
I found it fascinating but sometimes annoying when chapters were re-written slightly different, it gave me a real sense of how writers work. Although I found it awfully confusing when one of the readers part was re-written several times - I thought the reader was her own person and that her life was completely different from the writers. It dawned on me and disappointed me when I realized the writer was controlling everything - even how and when the reader decides to read the fairy tale.
I understand that most fairy tales have a happy ending and all goes well in the end - but I just found this one so cliche it annoyed me in a way. The writer seemed middle aged and appeared to have a lot of life experience however it didn't show in the fairy tale. I assumed the writer would pull out something more deep and meaningful - and have an ending which left me bedazzled.
Nonetheless if it wasn't for the concept of this novel I would've given it 2 or even just 1 star. It was sort of boring and it didn't seem to go anywhere. Definitely aimed at a younger age group, but still an interesting read.
September 30, 2012
While the idea of the metafictional approach taken in the book appealed to me — it contained the actual fairytale, the Writer's story and the Reader's one — the execution fell a little flat for me. The fairytale was delightful enough. The Writer's own thoughts did ring through. The Reader had her own life and struggles that on some level tied in with the fairytale and some themes paralleled each other. However, by taking this approach, maybe depth had to be somewhat sacrificed. Also, complexity in this novel is not derived from the plot and characters but rather from the format.
When I do like a book, I dread reaching the end. With this book, there were points where I couldn't wait to be done with it. Overall, it was an enjoyable read though as it does well in adding a twist to a fairytale written in contemporary times. What kept me reading was the elegance of the language Lowry employed particularly in writing the fairytale parts. It also helped that each part had a different font to aid readers in distinguishing among the three plots.
When I do like a book, I dread reaching the end. With this book, there were points where I couldn't wait to be done with it. Overall, it was an enjoyable read though as it does well in adding a twist to a fairytale written in contemporary times. What kept me reading was the elegance of the language Lowry employed particularly in writing the fairytale parts. It also helped that each part had a different font to aid readers in distinguishing among the three plots.
August 20, 2013
The classic fairy tale mixed with the modern tale. When you state like that yes it sounds good, but unfortunately it didn't rise to my expectations.
I have read a couple of Brigid Lowry's books before, and thoroughly enjoyed them. Though this book... this book is a whole other tale.
First of all, i felt the plot was a bit dry and needed more livening up, though it still kept me going. The writer's i thought was not needed, as it just made it more bring and bland. I also got confused because I had not realized until the end of the book that the writer was writing both the fairy tale and the modern tale as well.I felt it would have been better if Brigid Lowry had just focused on one story and made it amazing instead of three tales to follow. Lastly for the criticism, i felt the reader's story ended too abruptly.
As for the things that were good about this book. Well all i can say is that it kept me going until the end.
I have read a couple of Brigid Lowry's books before, and thoroughly enjoyed them. Though this book... this book is a whole other tale.
First of all, i felt the plot was a bit dry and needed more livening up, though it still kept me going. The writer's i thought was not needed, as it just made it more bring and bland. I also got confused because I had not realized until the end of the book that the writer was writing both the fairy tale and the modern tale as well.I felt it would have been better if Brigid Lowry had just focused on one story and made it amazing instead of three tales to follow. Lastly for the criticism, i felt the reader's story ended too abruptly.
As for the things that were good about this book. Well all i can say is that it kept me going until the end.
September 16, 2015
The reason I chose to read this book was because I thought it looked interesting, started reading it and couldn’t stop till I was finished.
This fits into my bingo board under the category ‘A book written by a New Zealander’.
Well I liked just about everything about this book because it was easy to understand, in one of my favourite genres and my favourite part of all was that it showed three different points of view as it showed the writer creating the story, the story itself and the person writing the story which I thought was very original and clever.
Well I loved everything about this book so it's sort of hard to find something I didn't like about this book.
I would recommend this book to everyone who would like to because this is fantastic and I hoped that anyone who reads it would love this more than me.
This fits into my bingo board under the category ‘A book written by a New Zealander’.
Well I liked just about everything about this book because it was easy to understand, in one of my favourite genres and my favourite part of all was that it showed three different points of view as it showed the writer creating the story, the story itself and the person writing the story which I thought was very original and clever.
Well I loved everything about this book so it's sort of hard to find something I didn't like about this book.
I would recommend this book to everyone who would like to because this is fantastic and I hoped that anyone who reads it would love this more than me.
May 15, 2011
Mmm, have you ever bought that cheap no-frills napolitana ice-cream which goes all watery at the bottom when it melts and you realise you have just been eating sugary fluff? Well this is how I found the experience of Bridget Lowry's new one. It is written with three intersecting plots; the writer, the reader and the fairy story the writer is attempting to write. I was intrieged by the concept but found the fairy story so banal that in the end I just followed the writer's voice which sounded very Bridget Lowry; lots of dwelling on warm bowls of nutty porridge and her girly insights which I find comforting and nice. Yet it seems to me like a book written because a publisher said; 'We need a new book for you and fairy stories are in now; do one of those'!
Don't hate me Ms Saville! (Ms Saville loved it) ..just my POV :)
Don't hate me Ms Saville! (Ms Saville loved it) ..just my POV :)
April 8, 2011
Glory is a girl with a destiny, already cursed before she is born. Mirabella, who appears to have everything, is cursed in a different way - entrapped by her life as a Princess, her only escape a marriage to shore up the country's flagging finances. In another world, teenage Nova is bullied at school and worried at home. Even the writer has problems of her own, from distractions to deadlines!
In this skilfully woven and absorbing tale there are three separate stories - that of the characters in the tale, that of their creator, and that of their reader. is an interesting and absorbing story, well worth reading. For teens and anyone who used to be a teen.
Picked by Val at Rosebud Library.
In this skilfully woven and absorbing tale there are three separate stories - that of the characters in the tale, that of their creator, and that of their reader. is an interesting and absorbing story, well worth reading. For teens and anyone who used to be a teen.
Picked by Val at Rosebud Library.
May 10, 2017
This was a nice, enjoyable read, with very smooth writing and easy transitions between authors notes, the 'readers life', and the chapters. The authors notes themselves were short and sweet, like little pastries that you buy while christmas shopping; something light to make the whole experience more enjoyable. The 'readers life' was also intriguing, and I thought Lowry had good timing when deciding where to insert these snippets, as well as for how long.
The fairytale story was lovely and charming and original.
This is a really good book that I pick up every so often to remind myself of the delightful little things in life. It gives me a really nice feeling, even just thinking about it. Gorgeous. Brigid Lowry's writing is gorgeous. And I mean that in every possible way.
The fairytale story was lovely and charming and original.
This is a really good book that I pick up every so often to remind myself of the delightful little things in life. It gives me a really nice feeling, even just thinking about it. Gorgeous. Brigid Lowry's writing is gorgeous. And I mean that in every possible way.
May 6, 2011
I found this book extremely confusing to start with especially with the three narratives. But then i decided it was better to read one at a time, which made it easier to read.
This is a story of three different places, times and people. One is the Author of the book and the story as she writes it. The second of a 15 year old girl with problems at school and the last of a girl in a half fantasy land. Their stories intertwine in the chapters and the author does change the plot as it goes along. But over all i loved it.
This is a story of three different places, times and people. One is the Author of the book and the story as she writes it. The second of a 15 year old girl with problems at school and the last of a girl in a half fantasy land. Their stories intertwine in the chapters and the author does change the plot as it goes along. But over all i loved it.
October 11, 2016
2 1/2 Stars.
I am not really sure whether I liked this book. I found that I got really into Glory's story and it was really annoying when the other two character's stories came into it. Later on I got into Nova's story but I never really connected to the "writer".
I did not understand how the "writer" was also writing the "reader's" (or Nova's) story. I also found that the story wrapped up really quickly and predictably.
Would be really good for younger readers(7-11) except that there is are some more adult concepts and language.
I am not really sure whether I liked this book. I found that I got really into Glory's story and it was really annoying when the other two character's stories came into it. Later on I got into Nova's story but I never really connected to the "writer".
I did not understand how the "writer" was also writing the "reader's" (or Nova's) story. I also found that the story wrapped up really quickly and predictably.
Would be really good for younger readers(7-11) except that there is are some more adult concepts and language.
March 20, 2012
I loved this book! I wanted Glory and Rolf to kiss, and when I thought they were going to for the first time, he proposed! So they got married before they even kissed- so romantic! Royal romance is kind of strange although?! It was funny when Glory thought she had to save a human's life but she ended up rescuing a small dog, (I guess a chiwahwah) ffrom dying the dreadful death of the.... CHICKEN BONE?!
June 21, 2014
Wonderful!
I read this with my daughter and it was lots of fun. I loved the different perspectives of the story. It added something fresh and new. How much of our lives is reflected in what we write/read? Do our reads influence our day to days a little?
There were many cute and quirky stories within this story, all adding their own element to the main fairytale.
Brigid Lowry's Juicy Writing is also great for anyone who likes creative writing.
I read this with my daughter and it was lots of fun. I loved the different perspectives of the story. It added something fresh and new. How much of our lives is reflected in what we write/read? Do our reads influence our day to days a little?
There were many cute and quirky stories within this story, all adding their own element to the main fairytale.
Brigid Lowry's Juicy Writing is also great for anyone who likes creative writing.
Read
July 25, 2011A fun teen fic read which interweaves the story of a modern reader, the writer of the story and the fantasy story at the centre. Excellent for highlighting the writing process and reminding readers that the writer is agonising over the story and how it will end up while dealing with their own real world. Recommended for 12-16yr old girls.
December 17, 2012
I loved this style of fairy-tale and especially discovering the frustrations, joys and processes of an author while writing. I must say it's the first book I've read that includes an author as a character, i really enjoyed it, and i wouldn't be surprised if many of the happenings with the author were inspired be Brigid's own experiences. Another fabulously quirky read! :)
March 28, 2012
I liked how there was three points of veiw: the reader, the writer and the story, especially because there was a writer one because I never really thought about how the writer was feeling through out the book.
October 12, 2011
I just LOVE novels based on fairytales - and this one looks like it's got a great post-modern self-referential twist to it. Bring it on!!!
April 6, 2011
Yr 7 - Brigid Lowry is a great author so this book should be high on your to read list.
February 2, 2015
This book will make you laugh and smile. Even if you don't like fairy tales you should give his one a go!
December 21, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I love that it had the three different parts to it, and that they all ended happily ever after. A very good book.
November 13, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I love that it had the three different parts to it, and that they all ended happily ever after. A very good book.
April 18, 2012
Cute book. Lots of fluff. Writing wasn't great.
June 15, 2012
one of my favorites!! love how the point of view changes and the story teller puts in its opinions :)
March 22, 2013
Loved this book. Great how it differentiated between the writer, reader and actual story. Perfect :)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews