This is the second retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” that I’ve had the pleasure of reading, and I’m astonished at the different directions in which each author took this folktale. Edith Pattou sets EAST in historical Europe, and the story traverses lands, cultures, seas, and languages for an astonishing and engrossing read. The multiple narrators adds a unique rhythm and scope to the story that makes the whole so much more than the sum of its parts. However, the magic of EAST lies in how these common elements-straightforward prose, a retelling-fit together. It’s a classic folktale that never fails to move me, but Edith Pattou’s retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” went above and beyond, astounding me with its magical rendering of a traditional story and simple literary elements.EAST is not extraordinarily sophisticated in writing style: narration alters between several different voices, and none of them particularly stand out as individual examples of great literariness.
Read moreĮAST is the tale of Rose, who sacrifices her freedom to save her sister, grows to care for the cursed white bear who is her “captor,” unwittingly betrays him, then goes beyond the ends of the earth to make things right. This book was reviewed for the Fantastic Flying Book Club. Recommended for any who love fantasy!***Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I actually enjoy multiple perspectives in books, as long as it's made clear who we are with at the time.
The perspective shifted between characters, including the Troll Queen, allowing the reader to really get to know all of them. I loved getting a real feel for Norse culture of the time (1700s). Pattou did a marvelous job of researching to enhance her tale. This was a lovely read! It's rich with detail, and the characters are just precious. Along the way, Rose gets to really know herself and the depths of her feelings for her new friend.
Her journey takes her to the reaches of her world, all the way to the home of the Troll Queen which lies 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon’. When he leaves one day, Rose follows, determined to help him. He takes her to his enchanted castle, where they slowly get to know one another. Rose takes the decision upon herself and leaves with him. The family is starving, the farm failing, when a mysterious visitor approaches them and says he will give the family an improvement of their fortunes in exchange for Rose. Rose is born into a large, poor family, to a superstitious ma. East by Edith Pattou is a delightful re-imagining of the fairytale 'East of the Sun, West of the Moon’.
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