Book Review: Castle in the Air

Castle in the Air
Author: Diana Wynne Jones
Published: 1990, (2001 Harper Trophy)
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Rating: 5/5

I picked up this enchanting and whimsical novel one Saturday night at Barnes & Noble around three weeks ago. Castle in the Air is the sequel to Jones's Howl's Moving Castle but is novel that can stand alone from its predecessor. Indeed, this novel is equally charming as Howl's Moving Castle.

Abdullah is a young carpet dealer who loves to daydream. One day, he discovers his daydreams become reality after he purchases a magic carpet. He falls in love with princess and they plan to marry right before she snatched away by a wicked creature called a djinn. Abdullah embarks on a journey to rescue his princess and discovers his fate and desires is are intertwined with the desires, prophecies, and magic of others. Is fate and something preordained for him or does he have the power to control the outcome of such foretelling?

I enjoyed this novel and was reminded why I was attracted to the fantasy genre as a child. If anything this novel produced nostalgia in my heart as I fondly recalled other novels I read in my childhood. While Jones may no longer be alive her stories will continue to give joy to new and old readers of her work.

(Book #7 of the 100 Book Challenge)

Book Review: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Author: Lisa See

Published: 2005, Random House

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 4/5

I pride myself on reading the book before seeing the movie. There have been a few exceptions in my life where I saw the movie first, either intentionally or accidentally. This was one of the accident moments where I rented a movie from the Red Box to watch. I became fascinated with the Chinese bonding ceremony of laotong (old same) and decided to research the topic. This is when I discovered the movie was based on a book. 

At the age of seven, Lily, is matched up with Snow Flower in ceremonial binding match of laotong in 19th century China. Based on their astrological signs they are kindred spirits and  must value each other before all other bonds. They suffer the agony of footbinding in an attempt to make their feet "perfect" to improve marriage prospects. They learn from a young age the female sex will suffer. They are the unwelcome sex when they are born. A father is to view his daughters as a burden by tradition even if he cherishes them. As adults they are valued in their ability to bear sons. Using the secret women writing, nu shu, Snow Flower and Lily share their joys and suffering as their fortunes in life reverse. They will suffer even in their love for each other. 

Lisa See has created a tangible and visible story using her strong sense of description in the senses. Readers will cringe in horror at the process of footbinding that would forever cripple Lily and Snow Flower from being able to walk properly. The sorrow the characters feel will seep from the pages into the cracks of their hearts where we all hide our own sufferings. Readers will recall that in life we all suffer but we persevere because we are loved. Or perhaps, we suffer even because we are loved. 

(#6 of the 100 Book Challenge)