Well, there are still Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty, but this book is hardly about these beloved ladies. Remember all those Prince Charmings that saved them in the original fairy tales? Yeah, those guys whose function was only to save the princesses, be valiant heroes and nothing more- this story belongs to them.
I am attracted to this book the moment I knew from the synopsis that these guys actually have names. And even personalities of their own. We've got enough of the princesses, but nobody seemed to care about these guys. Perhaps all that matters to this Prince Charming business is that they must be handsome, must be brave, and must save the princess. That's all the value in these Princes in the fairy tale after all. For all the sexism in fairy tales, it's funny how quickly we forget that those stories still belong to the princesses and these guys are more or less instruments for the gals to have happy endings.
And this book points out all the princes' dilemma in a very hilarious albeit illuminating manner. Some of these princes are quite dissatisfied with the fact that the ladies get all the attention while their names were not even mention in the songs sung by bards and minstrels in their countries. Some of these princes are pressured with the fact that they need to conform to the society's expectation to be fearful warriors instead of realizing that their best quality is that of a nice and gentle heart. These conflicts each prince has give flavor to their already endearing personalities.
Oh yeah, I mention the princesses, right?
Well, it's really great to know that none of the princesses are actually helpless whelps. Yes, Cinderella did get abused by her evil stepmother, Sleeping Beauty did get cursed with a sleeping spell, Snow White did got poisoned by an apple, and Rapunzel did get imprisoned in a tower. And these princes did save all the princesses from their fate whether from being a valiant and seasoned knight warrior, or just pure luck (literally). But the princesses are far from being just beautiful damsel in distress. Cinderella, overjoyed by her turn of luck and freedom from her evil stepmother, went out on an adventure to experience the life she had always dream she would have. Rapunzel saved Gustav, the Prince Charming attempting to save her in a turn of event, and later live alone as a healer. Snow White is a some-what recluse individual who prefers a life of solitude, and Sleeping Beauty is- unsurprisingly- a spoiled brat who hunts down Prince Liam to force him to marry her. Yeah, the princesses are much more exciting, and funnier, in this book.
I loved Mr Healy's writing for all the simplistic style and the fluid flow of the story. Everything happened just naturally it was a delight to see the story unfolding. And I love the originality this story brings about, including the humor. I have always like details involving the characters and Mr. Healy puts it very well into each of his character that we can discern for ourselves who is who by their mannerism alone.
Of all the fairy tale re-imaginings that I have ever read or watch, this is- at the moment- the most enjoyable one. I heartily recommend this book to all of you.
Comments
Post a Comment