Thursday, January 17, 2013

Throwback Thursday!

Throwback Thursday January 17th 2013


Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by The Housework Can Wait and Never to fond of Books.

It's the nature of book blogging to focus mainly on new releases, but there are thousands of great books out there that haven't seen the "New Releases" shelf in years. We hope to be able to bring attention to some older titles that may or not be at the top of the current bestseller list, but still deserve a spot in your To-Be-Read pile.

You don't have to be a book blogger to participate! You can put up a Throwback Thursday post on your non-bookish blog; or if you don't have a blog at all you can use the comments to tell us about a book your remember fondly.

I've been a slacker the last few months and haven't done a throwback post in forever. So now is a perfect time to get back in the groove. I've noticed that I'm having  a hard time finding older books that I've read. 

Once Upon a Winter's Night 
by Dennis L. McKiernan
Fantasy Fairy Tales
(Goodreads)

Synopsis 
A magnificent blend of fairy tale and high adventure, Dennis McKiernan'sOnce Upon a Winter's Night is based on a Norse tale that the author read as a young child in The Blue Fairy Book . This version is rather longer than the original 11 pages, and McKiernan has done such a wonderful job fleshing out the fundamental story that it is easy to get lost in its pages. If there is a book to read on the beach this summer or under your favorite tree -- this is it.

The story begins "...in days long past, when the mystical yet touched the real." The tale is about Camille, a poor farmer's daughter with long golden hair and a voice like an angel. One winter night, there comes a knock at the door, and a huge bear delivers a marriage proposal from Prince Alain of Summerwood, who has heard her singing in the fields. Alain lives in Faery -- the strange, mystical land bordering the mortal world Camille and her family dwell in. Camille reluctantly accepts, knowing that the prince's generous bride-price and yearly stipend will help her family, especially her frail little brother Giles.

Thus Camille begins her journey, traveling through Springwood, Winterwood, and Autumnwood, finally arriving at Summerwood Castle. What awaits her is not only the promised wealth and riches, but also a darker edge to her new life and a curse only she can lift. It doesn't take Camille long to win the heart of her new prince and fall head over heels herself, but she is not permitted to see him during the day, and only with a mask covering his face after dusk. Somehow, Camille must break this evil spell and free not only her beloved, but an entire kingdom as well.

This is one of my all time favorite fairy tales it's been ages since I read Once Upon a Winter's Night. I lost my paperback copy so I needed to purchase a new one and I got a great deal on a new hardback that now graces my collection. I look forward to being able to catch up on the whole series.  Once Upon a Winter's Night is a remake of the classic "East of the Sun West of the Moon" fairy tale. I found the story well written it is by far my favorite adaptation of the fairy tale it even leads to a whole series. I highly recommend if your a fan of the fairy tale you check it out you won't be disappointed.  One day soon I hope to be able to read the whole series. 

3 comments:

  1. I love fairy tales, and this seems fabulous! Glad you're participating again -- we all have to take a break sometimes (I just did!)

    As for having a hard time thinking up old books, we were too, which is why we changed the format. Now it can be any book-related thing, be it a movie, TV show, song, board game...anything you can think of. So you'll notice, I went with a TV show this week (and no, I have not read the books it is based on) :-) Opens up the possibilities!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds totally enchanting! Plus, a girl. On a polar bear! I'm not sure that there are too many things cooler than that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is new to me, but I love fairy tales and this sounds epic!

    ReplyDelete