Once Upon a Time... discussion

Hello fellow Fairy Tale lovers,


Welcome to our discussion about The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland #1) by Catherynne M. Valente, your discussion leader is Gem.
___________________________________________
about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. Please do use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu if you have finished the book before October 15.
___________________________________________


Summary

Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.

Hi everyone, I'll be leading the discussion for The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland. I previously picked up a copy at the library and will be starting it tomorrow.

Just reserved it from my library system, but it going to be a statewide loan, so won't be here until next week.

Lisa wrote: "Just reserved it from my library system, but it going to be a statewide loan, so won't be here until next week."

Not to worry, we've got six weeks.

Just got back from vacation and picked up a used copy from a local bookstore. Looking forward to starting it this evening after work!

Shanna and I were only able to get one copy from the library, so will be sharing and taking turn about reading. I read the first two chapters last night. Not sure I like the writing style, but interested in where the story will go from here.

I’ve currently read up to chapter 4. And I agree with Mom about the writing style. It seems a bit chaotic and not in a fun good way. The characters are all unlikable and I am beyond a little bit icked out by the term “ravished” in regards to her being able to access the fairyland.

Still, I will keep reading to see where the story goes.

Up to chapter 6 and there are finally some interesting, likable characters. Still don't care for the writing style - it's kind of like they are trying to write in old English style or such, but it just comes off as stilted.

I finished chapter 3 last night and am planning on doing some more reading today. I tend to get to involved with a story to notice the language unless the language is just awful. That said there is something odd about the writing which surprises me given all the awards and accolades this book got.

Still waiting on the shoes. In chapter one the fact that she lost a shoe and the author brought our attention to it and tells us that it's important has me guess all kinds of things. I hope the importance lives up to my expectations or I'm going to be rather disappointed.

I just finished it this evening, and I agree that it took a few chapters to pick up and get involved in the story, but I did enjoy it once that involvement came and there did end up being an enjoyable cast of characters, they just weren't right at the beginning (I was quite fond of A-Through-L, among others).

I adore Ell (A-Through-L) and the soap girl is so very sweet. The witches were entertaining. I just finished chapter six and seven, and once again, although it is somewhat interesting and I want to know where the story is going, I really dislike the writing style. It isn't old English style, but so very odd - stilted or something and the narrator comes across as condescending.

I have just started and made it to chapter three, the writing reminds me a bit of The Phantom Tollbooth. I think the shoe missing is mentioned later in the first chapter when it says her foot had gone a bit purple.

It's been about a year since I first picked up Book 1, and since then I think I've read it 2 or 3 times through! Catherynne Valente and her magnificent language paint such a vivid picture in my mind, it's like I'm watching a splendid movie and understanding some of the details I may have missed on my first read. Might reread the entire series once more. Happy reading!

Okay, just finished it. It was a bit of a push to get through over all. I had thought it was a children's book, but now I'm wondering if actually it's a teen one as it got dark in a few places. It also felt like the author is trying to groom children, hopefully not the intention, but some of it really just feels like it's written that way. It's a solid 3 some good parts, but generally I thought it was weird and a bit disjointed.

I am so far behind I think I'm ahead, lol. I didn't have any time to myself last week trying to arrange to get my mother into a facility so she can have physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

I did read some today and I'm in Chapter 5 where she meats the soap golem girl and I'm liking this chapter better than any of the others before it. I wonder if it's a better chapter or I'm getting used to the strange way the author writes... or both.

Gem, I think it is a bit of both. The soap golem was one of the few characters that were interesting.

I did finish it on Tuesday, but still don't really like it. So disappointing since I was really looking forward to it based on the description.

I'm still trying to get through this selection. I know the health crisis with my mother hasn't helped as I have read nothing in a couple of weeks. I may not be finishing this one, I'm think in this case, under the circumstance, I'm going to give myself a break.

I tried to force myself to finish it but just couldn’t. There were parts that made me literally angry and as reading is supposed to be an escape from such I put it aside. While I realize having emotions during reading it natural I wasn’t having these emotions due to content I should be angry about/for but because of things the either was writing instead. I am sad as well because I really wanted to like the book.

Shanna wrote: "I tried to force myself to finish it but just couldn’t. There were parts that made me literally angry and as reading is supposed to be an escape from such I put it aside. While I realize having emo..."

I'm sorry you experienced that. I think that confirms that I won't finish it given everything that has gone on in my life over the last couple of weeks. I too really wanted to like it. It seems like a good premise for a book, got good ratings, and has been on my to read list for several years.

Don’t be! I have very strong feelings about a lot of things. And when certain lore or typical understanding has been commonplace for a very long time it aggravates me. There was one particular part about a dryad that made me very annoyed and that was the part I decided to stop soon after.

Gem, don't feel bad about not finishing it at all. This book seemed like a difficult one for many of us to get through, and you have had a lot to handle lately. As you said, it was one that we were excited about, but it just didn't fulfill our expectations.