Mirror Mirror: A Novel
by Gregory Maguire
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Book Summary Information
Author: Gregory MaguireEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-09-28
ISBN: 0060988657
Number of pages: 320
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Book Reviews of Mirror Mirror: A Novel
Book Review: Maguire in a darker vein
Summary: 5 Stars
I confess. I've read most of Maguire's works and I am a true fan. He writes somewhat to a formula in these Fairy Tale revisions, but the formula itself is not enough to carry the day. Maguire is a truly talented writer whose abilities are what makes it work.
Compared to his other works I was disappointed, but only slightly. Wicked, and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister are truly brilliant and effective pieces of work which set off Maguire's social commentary to great effect.
Mirror, Mirror on the other hand had a decidely different feel to this reader. Perhaps it was in part due to the choice of setting and history selected to play this retelling of such a familiar tale. Wicked has the advantage of remaining in the same, although admittedly, recast setting of Oz. Confessions, doesn't feel quite as removed from the original setting of the familar tale.
Mirror, Mirror though, felt to this reviewer as if it were being forced more into a contrived context than other works by Maguire.
The writing is no less brilliant. The social commentary and character development are still good. The archetype against which it is played against just didn't seem quite as good a fit as previously.
This is a testimony to the previous works of Maguire, more so than a criticism of this one perhaps.
Nevertheless, my recommendation would be for the new reader to Maguire to not start with this book. Start with Wicked if you are not offended by overt sexual themes. Start with Confessions if you are offended by sexual themes and want to see what all the noise is about these books. Once you've read and acquired a taste for the highly creative and effective writing of Maguire then this book will go down much easier.
An excellent read still and worth taking the time to work through and appreciate Maguire's brilliant packaging of social, political and philisophical commentary in the creative retelling of some very familiar tales, that you thought you knew.
Summary of Mirror Mirror: A Novel
The year is 1502, and seven-year-old Bianca de Nevada lives perched high above the rolling hills and valleys of Tuscany and Umbria at Montefiore, the farm of her beloved father, Don Vicente. But one day a noble entourage makes its way up the winding slopes to the farm -- and the world comes to Montefiore.
In the presence of Cesare Borgia and his sister, the lovely and vain Lucrezia -- decadent children of a wicked pope -- no one can claim innocence for very long. When Borgia sends Don Vicente on a years-long quest, he leaves Bianca under the care -- so to speak -- of Lucrezia.
She plots a dire fate for the young girl in the woods below the farm, but in the dark forest salvation can be found as well ...
A lyrical work of stunning creative vision, Mirror Mirror gives fresh life to the classic story of Snow White -- and has a truth and beauty all its own.
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