A POCKETFUL OF CROWS by JOANNE HARRIS (With illustrations by BONNIE HELEN HAWKINS).
Love made her a prisoner.
Revenge will set her free.
A modern fairytale of love, loss and revenge.
- Back Cover Blurb
The year it turns, and turns, and turns.
- May Eve
Now I am in everything. Now I am the wind, the rain, the love-knots in the hawthorn tree. Now I am the beetles that will feed on his shroud, come May Day.
-Memorable Moment, Page 219
SOURCE ... A Christmas present from Mr T.
READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.
MY THOUGHTS ... A 'fairy tale' with a distinctly Pagan vibe. Traditional and yet modern all at the same time. Definitely not for wee ones, indeed those who like their fairy tales 'disneyfied' may well want to proceed with caution. For myself, one of the most hauntingly beautiful books I have read in a long while.
Revolving around the wheel of the year, the novella covers twelve months in the life of a fourteen year old ... witch? Certainly 'she' - I refer to her as 'she' for as we learn 'a named thing is a tamed thing' - is a traveller, her people being 'the wolves, the hare, the wild bees in the forest'.
Set apart by her brown skin, her woodland home, her ability to ???
Ah! That would be telling.
At least she is no different from many another lass when it comes to matters of the heart.
Ah! That would be telling.
At least she is no different from many another lass when it comes to matters of the heart.
The outstanding gold-foil embossed cover, the cleverly woven inclusion of ballads, proverbs and traditional rhymes (those of you familiar with the 'Child Ballads' and in particular its 'The Brown Girl' may well recognise aspects of A Pocketful Of Crows which has its roots in the ballad) and, oh my goodness, those illustrations*.
Rumour has it that a second book, this one based on selkies, is in the pipeline. I certainly hope so.
Rumour has it that a second book, this one based on selkies, is in the pipeline. I certainly hope so.
17 comments:
While not a genre I read often, you certainly make this sound intriguing - and I do love a novel with good illustrations.
I've read a couple of her books in the past (and enjoyed them) and have two more in my TBR pile. Maybe this will join them, eventually.
Quite unlike her other books Kelly. I'd be interested in what you thought of it. I hope you took a look at the illustrations as linked to at the end of my post, they are quite something.
This sounds very good. I tend to really like dark fairy tale like stories. The plot sounds both interesting and atmospheric.
I love the cover. You have made me curious about the illustrations.
Hi Tracy,
I loved the illustrations and artwork, although I doubt that this is one I will read anytime soon, simply because of the genre.
That doesn't stop me appreciating a good descriptive writing style and some lovely words and Joanne is definitely at the top of her game in those departments.
She is certainly adept at 'ringing the changes' with the diversity of genres in which she writes and I think I might enjoy the 'Chocolat' series and the 'French' novels, none of which I have yet read.
Thanks for sharing :)
Yvonne
I'm glad you enjoyed this beautiful gift book, Tracy. Wonderful review, as always!
This sounds like another one I will have to add to my list, it sounds just like the kind of thing I'd love, especially if there is a fairytale element or theme to it and the cover looks so pretty! great review as always Tracy! - Tasha
This sounds delightful Tracy!
Tracy,
What you said in your excellent review
about this dark fairy tale, definitely
piqued my curiosity. And I have added
the book to my list. And I loved the
illustrations!
Raven
I think I read another book by this author, but I have such a bad memory when it comes to the books that I've read that I can't remember for sure.
It sounds like an interesting book!
It's an author that I really wanted to try so I confess that I'm curious
Nice. You've read (reviewed) a few really good books recently.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
Did someone say Selkies?
sherry @ fundinmental
I haven't heard of this one! I love that the next book might be about selkies. You don't read about them too often.
Do You Dog-ear?
Your review made me want to read this book.
It sounds like this was a cracking read for you Tracy. This is an author who I think I've only read one book by but always have it in the back of my mind to read some more of hers, in fact you've reminded me I've got one on the tbr pile.
Looks and sounds like a wonderful book!!
The cover is certainly lavish! Glad you enjoyed the book.
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