Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge Wrap-up
Once Upon a Time Wrap-up
Alas, the reading challenge at Stainless Steel Droppings is now over, and it’s time to examine the remains. This was my first One Upon a Time. (However, I’ve done several R.I.P. challenges, which align pretty spectacularly with ghost fiction.) Once Upon a Time has a larger focus that includes fairy tales, fantasy, etc.
I set my sights on Quest the Second, which stipulates reading one work each of fantasy, fairy tale, folklore, and mythology. I wanted to see if I could accomplish all this and maintain my emphasis on ghosts. I found ghosts in three out of five. I read:
Fantasy: The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle. I wasn’t able to find a ghost in the fantasy category, but I enjoyed this selection nonetheless. The author paints loneliness, love, and loss onto a backdrop of conflicted mythical creatures, a pining prince, a precarious castle, and a struggling magician. Recommended.
Mythology: Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin. I would not have picked this one up if not for Once Upon a Time (and isn’t that the best part of a challenge, that you challenge yourself?), but I’m so glad I did. Le Guin explores the contributions of Lavinia, the wife of Aeneas, whose story was never told. The best part—the ghost is an apologetic Virgil. Check it out!
Fairy Tale: Messenger by Lois Lowry. No ghost here. This is the story of Matt, a sidekick Lowry introduced in Gathering Blue. With Messenger, the author connects The Giver and Gathering Blue. While Messenger is not as engaging as the previous books in the tetralogy, it is a worthwhile read for people who want to come full circle. I understand (though I haven’t read it) that the final book Son is better.
Fairy Tale: The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood. By far this is my favorite read of this challenge. I have always said my best loved Margaret Atwood book is Cat’s Eye. Now I want to re-read Cat’s Eye to see if it still holds place of primacy, or if it has been supplanted by The Robber Bride. I adore The Robber Bride and want to read it again soon.
Folk Tale: Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough. Set in the mid twentieth century, this novel brings an ancient Scottish folktale to life. I enjoyed how the author translated an old tale into modern times, but there were too many narrators to fully engage my interest.
There you have it. Once Upon a Time with as many ghosts as I could stuff in. You just know I’m DYING for the R.I.P reading challenge to roll around September 1!
(image credit: Brooklyn Museum/Flickr)
2 thoughts on “Once Upon a Time Reading Challenge Wrap-up”
I want to re-read Cat’s Eye too. But also the first two in the Maddaddam series before the third is published in September. Tough choices! Congrats on finishing the OUaT categories; it can be a challenge to find the right read for each category, but good fun along the way of course.
I just perused a little essay by Atwood about writing and purposing the Maddaddam series. She raises fascinating questions about our future environmental course and our place in the world–makes me want to read these books, too!