Customer Reviews

A City in Winter

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a strange book this is! Part childrens' fairy tale (old school - bad things do happen to good people), part political satire, part fantasy, A City in Winter weaves an enchanting melody amidst its disconcordant environment.

I'm not sure who the target audience is - the illustrations and language make the book suitable for kids, while the bizarre characters and convoluted social system are friendly rejoinders against centralism and establishment.

One thing is certain - it is brilliantly written - a captivating book that takes little time to devour. The imagery is outstanding, the characters are engaging and enjoyable, and the plot moves along handsomely. For as short a book as this is, there is sufficient depth to make it worth more than one read.

Mark Helprin is a magical author able to draw his readers in simply on the power of his imagery and emotion. Chris van Allsburg's lush illustrations are cathartic images meant to shake the reader. Between the two, a masterpiece of modern literature has emerged. I have read a number of Helprin's books and cannot wait to get my hands on all of them. This may be a children's book in name, but anyone who remembers how to dream will be enchanted by this story and its companion piece, the Veil of Snows.

I loved this series by Mark Helprin. I'm a big fan of Winters Tale, and this was just as enjoyable. These are wonderful to read aloud to children, or to pass around and take turns with, as we've done with the Harry Potter and other series. Beautiful artwork, and thick shining pages make this book a keepsake, and a sumptuous pleasure to read. In this retelling of Swan Lake, all things are possible... you'll find yourself laughing one moment, tense the next, and always riveted. I also found the strong and triumphant female lead character refreshing, ..the story is told from her point of view, after all this has happened, a narrative to her not yet born child.

When reading this book, you will probably find it surprising that this book is a sequel to what happens in the ballet, "Swan Lake". But this is not a childish book describing the positions of ballet or some halfhearted fairy tale. This is what you can call quality reading. Believe me, it is not boring, it is suspenseful and exciting. (Having read this in third grade, I know that it covers a wide range of ages.) It is not just a children's book, either. Adults will enjoy the breathtaking illustrations and the amazing story. Mark Helprin sure knows how to weave words, and Chris Van Allsburg can paint illustrations that play with light and are almost as captivating as the story itself. Congradulations to the author and the illustrator! And if you plan on getting this book, good luck and happy reading!

Dear Mr. Helprin,

Hi! I'm one of your fans. I'm a ten-year-old fourth grader. I have just read your book A City in Winter and I enjoyed it. I also liked the illustrations-nice choice to collaborate with Chris Van Allsburg. I loved everything about your book!

I can even summarize A City in Winter for you. Your story starts out with a queen writing to her unborn child about her difficult life. She writes about her grandparents being assassinated by an evil usurper when her mother was a baby, and the same usurper assassinated her own mother and father when she was a baby.

Until this Queen was ten years old she lived in the mountains as a simple country girl who barely knew a soul. Her tutor, or as she knew him growing up "Grandfather," told her about her real history when she was almost ten years old. When she discovered her history, she set out to find and free her rightful kingdom from the evil usurper who rules her people cruelly.

When she reached her kingdom she became a yam sorter in the palace that the usurper had conquered. In the middle of her time there her tutor came to her and gave her the message that the scholars in her kingdom had been waiting for a sign of her existence for ten years. The sign would be "a burning angel through a darkening sky." This sign would alert her Damavand army generals that they should assemble and it would give the people courage to rise up against the usurper. At the end of the book the Queen opens a door and looks out over her assembled troops, but what will happen to her next? Have you written or have you considered writing a continuation of this book? If you haven't, I recommend doing so because I found the ending a real cliffhanger.

I would recommend this book to anyone. Your writing is sculpted beautifully; you make me feel like I'm in the kingdom you write about. I'd like to find out more about your life and your writing.

Your fan,

Divina

A City In Winter is a wonderful book. It's about a little girl who goes on an adventure to find the person who killed her parents. When she gets to the village, she meets two bakers who's names are Astrahn and Notorincus. They help her throgh the story. They told the little girl that if she ever got caught, to tell them that she's a yam culer. During the story, the little girl works in the yam kitchen and finally meets up with the tutor, that raised her when she was little. He knows that she is the queen and in order to keep her safe, he sacrifices himself to tell everyone that the queen is alive. Also in order for the queen to be safe, Astrahn and Notorincus ran up the stairs to the tutor's room. On the way, Astrahn is shot and can't go on. So Notorincus finished running up the stairs and kept the queen safe.In the end the little girl opens the door and everything and everyone gets silent, for they know that she is the queen.I thought that this book was a great book!!

The story that Mark Helprin tells us is something that we'll never forget! As we journy with the little girl in the city we come to believe that miricales do come true.

I have yet to find an author who could lead me so gracefully into the very heart of it's characters. Mark Helprin is inspiring. He gives to each reader the gift of travel.

I was asked by several English teachers, "What is it about his writings that you enjoy?" My comment was just that....he draws you into the stories ...willingly you go....I have likened it to a free-fall...only you willingly step off...knowing you are safe.

My first exposure to Mark Helprins work was through the children's book. Veil of the Snows. I had been drawn first to the title, then the illustration...then the opening line. In my room, on a shelf is a blue bottle.......

I progressed to his short stories which were equally moving and thought provoking.

It is true, when asked ,"Who is your favoirite author?" You respond with " The one I am just now reading." I must say, that this summer alone, I have had the privilege of reading 7 books by different authors, and my comment....they weren't even in the same ball-park.

I play a game when I begin a Helprin book....I start out reading very slowly and methodically. Then the next thing I know, I am hooked .. devouring every word, every scene. I monitor how much of the book is left to read. When I get approximately 3/4 of the way through.....I put the breaks on...from there I cherish the last of the lines and grieve that the story is nearly over.

What a gifted gentleman. It would be a delight to call him friend.....indeed....he is a friend.

A City in Winter is an exciting, captivating book. I believe that it is excellent because it grabs your intrest from the first line, and managed to keep it until the last wonderful letter. Unlike other books I've read, this book has an original plot. The book is a fantasy about a young girl who lives in the forest with her guardian, the tutor. She discovers that she is the rightful queen of the country the usurper has stolen from her family for generations. She sets out to the capital, knowing nothing about even a town, seeing that she had only seen two people in her life, the tutor and a lost merchant. She ends up working in the yam kitchens as a yam curler, until she is summonded to the dining room by a mysterious guest...

I believe that every young adult should get the chance to read it. I would recommend this book for grades 5-1,000,000,000. If your going to read any book, it should definitely be this one. I have read it over twenty times, and I still love it!

A wonderful story for every generation. Mark Helprin tells an extraordinary tale that should be shared with the whole family. Illustrations are marvelous