I really wanted to like this. It is beautifully written, but nothing ever seems to happen. I finally decided to DNF at about the half-way point.
I just don't do well with magical realism.
26 likes
The Life of Elves | 
I really wanted to like this. It is beautifully written, but nothing ever seems to happen. I finally decided to DNF at about the half-way point.
I just don't do well with magical realism.
so-soMy last book of 2022. Totally by accident, I started and ended the year with Muriel Barbery. I didn't love this one, but I still want to read the sequel.
bailedI tried really hard to care about this story and characters. Two children, presumably magical, both arrive in different places in Europe. The poor peasants don't understand them and they interpret the world in deep and meaningful ways. Yawn. There's a hell of a lot of description and meandering about without much really happening - I bailed after the big build up of one of the girls receiving - wait for it- a letter. For me, it was just dull. BAIL
so-soCento poem:
Important decisions are made by those
who are invisible
You are as beautiful as ever
A joyful company
I beg your forgiveness
I have understood the true intoxication
He looked at her dreamily
Oh, helplessness
#cento #centopoem
We need fantasy, not to escape but survive in the reality.
💕
#thelifeofelves #murielbarbery #fantasy #tbr #paperback #coffee #croissant #litsybooks
Long time no see, Litsy! I‘ve been off at college reading and writing and reading and writing and a whole lot more of reading and writing. Looking forward to having time to read books for fun this summer! Starting off the season with this enchanting story 🍃
About 60 pages in and I think I might be with @SavidgeReads on this one. Not sure if I'll keep going.
All of our stores were closed yesterday for #Stella, but that just means our staff has extra time to brush up on their book recommendations!
#snowday #reading #booksellers #cozy
panAnother #Marchintoreading Day 4 contribution for #didntlikeitstillfinished. Don't get me wrong, the writing here is exquisite, the language beautiful, the magic somewhat different from what people are accustomed to. But man, was it laborious, with hardly anything much happening really, until it did. But by then, my attention has waned considerably, I just want it to be over with. Hopefully, The Elegance of Hedgehog would be a different experience.
pickThe basic story is simple - two growing girls will combine their supernatural powers in the war (an evil Elf wants to conquer the world of human beings and elves). What makes the book interesting is its poetic language, and magical way of storytelling. It's like a fairy tale dream. We can read it as a classic clash between good and evil, but also as an ode to the beauty/power of women, nature and music.
#booklove17 #worstbastcliffhangers
My additional #readingequipment depends on the format of the book...except chocolate. Chocolate is always near my fingertips.
#readjanuary
On this cold day - fantasy book with fairytale vibes and magical prose, warm egg sandwich and a hot cup of tea.
My November book haul...the election destroyed my plan not to buy books this month...
pickThis is an odd little story which is no less lovely for its strangeness. Barbery writes of hope and bridges of "tea and dreams" that can defeat "cannons." The prose feels delicate and the plot is a mix of fable and daydream. Mostly, the novel celebrates art, nature, and life lived well. Endlessly quotable and empowering--highly recommend! Also, photo is from recent camping trip--much of the book takes place in "mists," so I thought it suited.
What a weird wonderful story. Feels like I'm in a fairy tale while reading it. Perfect for a woodsy weekend!
Decided on this one-I haven't read a translated book recently, and this one looks interesting and diverting enough to keep me off Facebook where the loonies are lol
so-soThe language of the book is elegant, but the length of the battle bored me and at the end, I felt unsatisfied and asking what was the point. not my favorite from an author whose other works I have enjoyed.
"There is no courage without a difficult choice, no character that is not forged by the act of choosing,"
"I am the one who suggested we tell you your own story, which implies a lot of other ones too," I love narratives that point out how intertwined we are and how we are all in this life together. enjoying The Life of Elves. The Elegance of the Hedgehog is my favorite from this author though.
so-soIntriguing concept gets mired underneath excessive prose - some moments are lyrical and lovely, but on the whole, not enough forward movement on the plot. Uprooted by Naomi Novik covers some similar ground but is much more action-packed.
Lyrical - such beautiful writing.
Reminded me of The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
The Life of Elves and Apfelschorle. Greek food in Munich. I need some fantasy in my life with so much darkness in this world.
so-soA little restraint would have gone a long way with the writing style. Flowery, elegant prose is fine, but this was a bit excessive. The main characters also felt like ciphers, defined only by their prodigious abilities. Not unreadable, but disappointing after Elegance of the Hedgehog.
Magical
About to snuggle in with my little girl on our staycation with a book I've been looking forward to for a long time.
"...dawn shooting its rosy fingers into skies more transparent than love."
pickSweet and otherworldly, I hope there is a sequel on the way.
so-soThis was more difficult than I anticipated. I can't say I didn't like it because Barbery's writing is always beautiful. But, it meanders and takes far too long to get to the story's core.
so-soMuriel Barbery's first book is one of my all-time favorites. This book is very different. Both novels share a common theme of strong connections between to seemingly distant people, and it is nicely written. If you are expecting Hedgehog 2.0, though, you might be disappointed.
pickConflicted on this. Sometimes I loved the writing, sometimes it was just too much. The story was a slow burn, but then I got into it, but then it lost me, and then grabbed me again. But it's definitely unique, otherworldly. Maybe Narnia meets The Blue Fox meets Among Others?
I've got two child-free hours to do some editing, but I've only got 20 pages left in the The Life of Elves. So tempting...
Ooh! A new book that promises to be all magical!
"There are only two moments when everything is possible in this life," said Petrus, "when one drinks, and when one makes up stories." p. 224
I'm halfway through Muriel Barbery's new book. It is very different from THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG, but similar in that you get drawn into the lives of two compelling protagonists.
panA 'beguiling fairytale', as quoted from NYT, should be my perfect read. However full review also says over written and confusing which is, sadly, just what I found it to be. I wanted escapism, I just got lost. Very disappointing. Some readers will love it, it's just not for me.
First/test post. I have been reading this book for almost a week;it's a fairytale, it's short, it just hasn't quite got me... Yet. And I'm nearly done 😱
