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on December 1, 2015
The author brought out almost every one of our fairy tale characters and put them in a political context. Did you think Snow White's prince (& later King) ruled an entire continent? Cinderella and prince had a slice of land as well. With 12 kingdoms ringing the Fae Forest, few are left out in this thoughtful story. I'd recommend this book to every parent or teacher having to retell these tales continuously for small ears, if for nothing else, be able to smile when reading them or put them in a plausible world together or make the princesses a little less needy. Also, anyone who might like a new set of ideas that we based our outlook on--such as women are weak and need someone to save them. The princes all need "true love's first kiss" as badly as the female heroines.
on July 7, 2017
The Woodcutter is a very charming, imaginative, fairy tale with interesting dark twists. Not fae and not a blue blood, the Woodcutter bridges the gap between the mortal and immortal worlds protecting them.
on March 3, 2013
As a long time collector and fan of faery tales of all sorts, I found this book to be both beautiful and refreshing. Danley obviously knows her genre well enough to weave together a whole new story out of the traditional themes and metaphors of Western European faery tales. I never found it trite or strained, trying to make the pieces fit. It all flowed together seamlessly.
Other reviews may tell about plot and character, which usually the publisher's own synopsis does well enough. Most of us know our faery tales, even if we've never watched Disney, picked up a Grimms compendium or heard of Andrew Lang, because the symbols and meaning tend to stick with us throughout time. Most of the time we can all agree that the "good guy wins" or "true love conquers all" and still argue about who the "good guy" really is and what "true love" really means. This book continues that conversation while steeped in its traditional metaphors.
It's not a "simple" book; it uses the language of faery tales as both expression and structure, which may be annoying or frustrating to someone who would rather his/her reading be simple, and without meaning. Like the original faery tales, this is not meant for children, nor meant to be without meaning. It's beautiful and haunting, and helps give a blueprint of behavior and consequence that could be considered a truth of adulthood. This, of course, makes it the best of its kind. I highly, highly recommend this book.
Other reviews may tell about plot and character, which usually the publisher's own synopsis does well enough. Most of us know our faery tales, even if we've never watched Disney, picked up a Grimms compendium or heard of Andrew Lang, because the symbols and meaning tend to stick with us throughout time. Most of the time we can all agree that the "good guy wins" or "true love conquers all" and still argue about who the "good guy" really is and what "true love" really means. This book continues that conversation while steeped in its traditional metaphors.
It's not a "simple" book; it uses the language of faery tales as both expression and structure, which may be annoying or frustrating to someone who would rather his/her reading be simple, and without meaning. Like the original faery tales, this is not meant for children, nor meant to be without meaning. It's beautiful and haunting, and helps give a blueprint of behavior and consequence that could be considered a truth of adulthood. This, of course, makes it the best of its kind. I highly, highly recommend this book.
VINE VOICEon December 16, 2012
Overall:
The Woodcutter is a really interesting retelling / connecting of numerous fairy tales. It is an interesting spin on Grimm's fairy tales with other folklore worked in as well to make everything cohesive and interesting to read.
The format of the book is many small chapters. The small chapters are bit distracting when you start the book but the book finds a rhythm about 1/3 of the way through. The pace does pick up as the story does which really helps keep the reader engaged.
If you enjoy fantasy and fairy tales, you should give this a read. It is a good value when you get it on a kindle.
Prose:
The prose is fairly simplistic and workman like. It is effective and not flowery. The terseness of descriptions let the reader fill in the blanks more which made it more enjoyable for me as a reader.
Story/Plot:
The story/plot is about the Woodcutter initially referened in Snow White by the Brother's Grimm. The Woodcutter in this story has a much greater and more important role to play between humans and the Fae. He is the judge / the neutral party that keeps things in balance. It is very hard for the woodcutter to have to do what he does as he sees many horrible things but knows they must happen to maintain the balance. You will start to build up a strong empathic link to the characters as the horrible things are brought up in the story. But, it is very clear that to to break the neutrality will end badly for everyone involved -- a good lesson for many people indeed (your actions have consequences).
Characters:
The Woodcutter is a very interesting and slightly enigmatic character. The mysterous elements get filled in as the story goes which is another effective device to engage the reader into the story.
The Woodcutter is a really interesting retelling / connecting of numerous fairy tales. It is an interesting spin on Grimm's fairy tales with other folklore worked in as well to make everything cohesive and interesting to read.
The format of the book is many small chapters. The small chapters are bit distracting when you start the book but the book finds a rhythm about 1/3 of the way through. The pace does pick up as the story does which really helps keep the reader engaged.
If you enjoy fantasy and fairy tales, you should give this a read. It is a good value when you get it on a kindle.
Prose:
The prose is fairly simplistic and workman like. It is effective and not flowery. The terseness of descriptions let the reader fill in the blanks more which made it more enjoyable for me as a reader.
Story/Plot:
The story/plot is about the Woodcutter initially referened in Snow White by the Brother's Grimm. The Woodcutter in this story has a much greater and more important role to play between humans and the Fae. He is the judge / the neutral party that keeps things in balance. It is very hard for the woodcutter to have to do what he does as he sees many horrible things but knows they must happen to maintain the balance. You will start to build up a strong empathic link to the characters as the horrible things are brought up in the story. But, it is very clear that to to break the neutrality will end badly for everyone involved -- a good lesson for many people indeed (your actions have consequences).
Characters:
The Woodcutter is a very interesting and slightly enigmatic character. The mysterous elements get filled in as the story goes which is another effective device to engage the reader into the story.
on November 16, 2012
[NO SPOILERS]
I usually reserve 5-star ratings for only the best of the best books I read, but this book is a solid 4.7 in my book, so what the heck.... 5 stars it is. ;)
When I got this book, I expected it to be sort of a mystery story along the lines of an Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes sort of thing, only with fairy tale characters as the detective(s)/victim(s), and other background folks. This is only half right. There is a "murder mystery" framework here, but it lacks the vibe and, I think, the *intention* to be a murder mystery. The story is far too character-driven, and the prose is too poetic for it to feel like anything but a fairy tale that happens to involve a character trying to find out how certain characters were killed and who was responsible for it.
The writing... when I say it's poetic, I don't mean in a "purple prose" sort of way, or in a faux-romantic "thee" and "thy" and "how dost whatever" nonsense way. It feels very natural. The word choice and the cadence are beautiful.
The characters are all very well-crafted, sympathetic, and fascinating. The Woodcutter, especially, is one of the more accessible characters I've read in any book recently. You really feel his heart and his motivations, even before and as you learn his true nature. You really feel the heart of the *world* this story is set in, as well. The story is very alive.
This is a "fairy tale mashup" story, but it it feels mostly like its own creation, and what is familiar about it reminds me of only one other story of this type that I know, which is "Into the Woods" (the musical)... and that's a rare level of quality indeed. There are hints as well of some of Gregory Maguire's writing... The Woodcutter reminds me a bit of Ranuccio (the Huntsman) in his book "Mirror Mirror."
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has even a passing interest in fairy tales retold. It's a quick read but feels perfectly complete within itself... like a good fairy tale should. :)
I usually reserve 5-star ratings for only the best of the best books I read, but this book is a solid 4.7 in my book, so what the heck.... 5 stars it is. ;)
When I got this book, I expected it to be sort of a mystery story along the lines of an Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes sort of thing, only with fairy tale characters as the detective(s)/victim(s), and other background folks. This is only half right. There is a "murder mystery" framework here, but it lacks the vibe and, I think, the *intention* to be a murder mystery. The story is far too character-driven, and the prose is too poetic for it to feel like anything but a fairy tale that happens to involve a character trying to find out how certain characters were killed and who was responsible for it.
The writing... when I say it's poetic, I don't mean in a "purple prose" sort of way, or in a faux-romantic "thee" and "thy" and "how dost whatever" nonsense way. It feels very natural. The word choice and the cadence are beautiful.
The characters are all very well-crafted, sympathetic, and fascinating. The Woodcutter, especially, is one of the more accessible characters I've read in any book recently. You really feel his heart and his motivations, even before and as you learn his true nature. You really feel the heart of the *world* this story is set in, as well. The story is very alive.
This is a "fairy tale mashup" story, but it it feels mostly like its own creation, and what is familiar about it reminds me of only one other story of this type that I know, which is "Into the Woods" (the musical)... and that's a rare level of quality indeed. There are hints as well of some of Gregory Maguire's writing... The Woodcutter reminds me a bit of Ranuccio (the Huntsman) in his book "Mirror Mirror."
I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has even a passing interest in fairy tales retold. It's a quick read but feels perfectly complete within itself... like a good fairy tale should. :)
on July 7, 2017
If you like Gregory Maguire, you'll really enjoy this. All those fairy tales and then some. Twisted and easy flowing. Don't know Ms. Danley can follow up.. But sure hope she gives us more.
on March 19, 2017
The character was deep and well crafted and the plot was engrossing. The Woods felt like a familiar and living place that I was sorry to leave at the end. I really enjoyed this story!
on November 16, 2016
I almost gave this three stars as I didn't like the short chapters and the single perspective the entire novel is told from, but the writing and storytelling is very good. I liked the new twist on the classic faerie tales, and was glad to be exposed to something that is very different from the fantasy I usually read. The ending was done very well.
on January 19, 2014
The Woodercutter is tasked with keeping the balance of the Fae World and the Human World while he, himself is something a little different. In efforts to keep the balance, The Woodcutter must now take on the mantle of detective in order to solve, and hopeful prevent, the murders of young people in his woods.
I am not familiar with the story of a woodcutter and for me, this was an entirely new look into typical fairy tale world. It was a little confusing and off-putting at times to see how the many old and new tales intermingled, but in the end I like it. It can sometimes be risky to mix stories (especially fairy and folk tales) and genres, but I like the way Danley has done it.
The slow pace of the story, I feel, added to the suspense that would build up from time to time and capture my heart. The Woodcutter is reminiscent to an investigative noir character trying to solve a case but with sprinkles of magic all around him. That is, however, when he isn’t taking on the role of nurturer. It’s not unusual to see men as father figures, but nurturer is a little different. The way his is connected to the trees and the way he seeks to help the fairies and the children, makes him a very unique character that I’ve grown to love.
I think this is a good adult and teen read.
I am not familiar with the story of a woodcutter and for me, this was an entirely new look into typical fairy tale world. It was a little confusing and off-putting at times to see how the many old and new tales intermingled, but in the end I like it. It can sometimes be risky to mix stories (especially fairy and folk tales) and genres, but I like the way Danley has done it.
The slow pace of the story, I feel, added to the suspense that would build up from time to time and capture my heart. The Woodcutter is reminiscent to an investigative noir character trying to solve a case but with sprinkles of magic all around him. That is, however, when he isn’t taking on the role of nurturer. It’s not unusual to see men as father figures, but nurturer is a little different. The way his is connected to the trees and the way he seeks to help the fairies and the children, makes him a very unique character that I’ve grown to love.
I think this is a good adult and teen read.
