I never did get to post after finishing TLOS so here it is.
It has previously been established that Chris Colfer is brilliant, so let me just confirm that.
Fairy tales exist to tell stories that teach us lessons about real life...that you must be courageous, that everyone has the ability to find love, etc. And even though Colfer already has these fairy tales that have morals, he is still able to create his own. One of these would be the story of Sleeping Beauty. We all know the story, she was put under a spell and fell asleep and was awoken by her prince. The fact of the matter is that she was asleep for one hundred years and she may have woken up a queen, but woke up a queen ruling over a kingdom that had fallen apart in those one hundred years. Colfer talks about her struggles as the new queen in bringing the kingdom together and having to work hard to assure her people that they would once again prosper. He presents here not as a damsel in distress, but as a hero.
Also, than you to Chris Colfer for explaining another confusing tale...Goldilocks. Why the heck was she snooping around the bears' house anyway? In TLOS, it is explained that as a young man, Jack (from the beanstalk) and Goldilocks were lovers and Red Riding Hood was jealous because she too loved Jack. So one day, Red wrote a letter to Goldilocks pretending to be Jack and telling her to meet him at this specific house, in hopes that the bears would get angry and eat her arm or something. However, it resulted in the bears pressing charges against Goldilocks who became a fugitive and couldn't be with Jack. The amazing thing about these tales is, who ever thought that they could all be related? It seems like too much for just one society to have so many crazy people in one, but that's what The Land of Stories is.
Now I thought everyone knew that the man in the evil queen's magic mirror was her lover, but apparently not. Anyway, the Evil Queen becomes a fugitive and Snow White's armies chase after her. She tells the protagonists of her story how she ripped out her heart so that she would never have to feel the pain of losing her lover inside the mirror, and that is why she poisoned Snow White, because her body physically couldn't feel emotions. Then what follows next is something I want you to think about...
"I've done many terrible things in my time but many terrible things have been done to me as well. So as far as I'm concerned, the world and I are even."
Makes sense right? I mean, I am a firm believer in doing good things and karma and all that, but I can't deny that it makes sense that if you've lived a horrible life, then you should be excused from doing certain horrible things.
Again, the humor. Even in the world of fairy tales, there is still a caste system; still cliques. When Red Riding Hood is getting chased by wolves and Snow White's knights aren't assisting, she yells "If I were Cinderella, none of this crap would be happening!" Because apparently Cinderella is the queen bee of princesses. Makes sense.
Again, adding to the brilliance, Chris Colfer explains the origin of the term fairy tale. It was pretty obvious from the beginning that the protagonist's dead father was from TLOS, but it wasn't explained until the end. It turns out that their Grandmother is the Fairy Godmother to Cinderella...the most powerful of fairies in TLOS. She explains to the kid how she made her way into the real world and saw all the sadness and heartache and it made her want to cheer everyone up. So she began telling stories from her world, and she started bringing other fairies with her so they could go around the world sharing these tales, cheering people up, teaching them life lessons, and also to believe in love and magic. Hence the term fairy tales.
Now I have some speculation. I know the kids are brother and sister in this book, but so many of these tales have been distorted that there are so many versions and they don't all fit perfectly. But anyway, I am convinced that the kids are Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. Now this partially because I am upset that Peter Pan wasn't in the story and I love him. But it makes sense. The kids are related to the Fairy Godmother, so obviously part fairy, and since the Fairy Godmother and most fairies are women, then maybe it is more prevalent in them which is why Tinkerbell is full fairy, but Peter Pan is just magical. Also, they travel between worlds just like in Peter Pan. And remember how Peter would always fly past the clock tower? Well at the end of TLOS when they meet up with their grandmother, they do it in the clock tower. Not a coincidence.
In the beginning of August, the new TLOS comes out. Until then, I suggest everyone pick up a copy and get reading!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
The Land of Stories part 2
So I continued on in my adventure through the land of stories. And let me tell you, it has been quite the ride.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is the sarcasm in it. As I explained before, the author, Chris Colfer, takes two people from our world and drops them into the twisted fairy tale world and tells the tale of the way they view it. The two realistic-world characters have completely different personalities, so that two different viewpoints can be shown. One character, Conner, is fed up with the fairy tale world and just wants to leave. His reactions to various situations are humorous and sarcastic. Alex on the other hand has never fit in in the real world, and therefore wants to remain there. She takes every opportunity she can to learn about and embrace the Land of Stories.
The great thing about the character of Conner is that his reactions to the fairy tale world are very similar to what any of us would feel if we were to see a modern day fairy tale just strolling by. His sarcastic comments really make the book.
For example, when stumbling upon the candy house where Hansel and Gretel were kidnapped, they run into the evil witch who tries to eat Conner and Alex. Rather than running away, Conner makes a few comments to the witch in which he explains that her motives to eat fatter children because they are more filling is really not a good idea and that she should instead seek out those with more muscle because they will be healthier. He also suggests she build a candy gym. In another incident, he and Alex are trying to sneak into the royal palace and get stopped by the guards. His solution is a remark that makes a joke of the fairy tale world- something that most people would likely make in the situation. He tells the guards that there parents are already inside. When the guard asks who the parents are, Conner says "the inventors of the wishing well."
I also enjoy the twist that Colfer puts on the tales. In the Land of Stories, the fairy tale characters exist in times after their stories. Cinderella and the prince are married, Goldilocks is grown up, etc. It is almost like the magic of each tale is over, but still continues on in a magical world. Colfer is able to make the tales seem realistically carried out. Cinderella explains that when she took over the throne, many wealthy aristocrats were upset because the prince married a poor girl rather than one of their daughters. Despite the fact that this takes place within a fairy tale, this is a pretty realistic situation. When Prince William initially announced that he wanted to marry Kate Middleton, a lot of people were upset because they expected him to marry someone from a more powerful family.
By combining real life characters with old and new fairy tales, Chris Colfer really is able to break the fourth wall in an acceptable and enjoyable way.
To go off on a tangent, who has seen the show Say Yes to the Dress? It is a show about people picking out wedding dresses. All the time I see brides come in asking for 'Cinderella' dresses and I think, who would want that? On my wedding day I don't want a big poofy prom dress that makes me look like a princess. I want something long and simple that makes me look like a bride. However, when reading the children's encounter with Cinderella, I may have changed my mind. Cinderella in this book is somewhat of a combination of Michele Obama and Jennifer Lopez. She is gorgeous and extravagant, but everyone wants to meet her because of how great of a leader and speaker she is. But she's also humble and down to earth. I don't know about anyone else, but I would love to meet that Cinderella.
Colfer does an amazing job at making the Land of Stories seem like an actual world. They have a map, different kingdoms, different rulers, and even historical landmarks. On the steps of Cinderella's castle is a plaque reading "this marks the very place where Cinderella left her glass slipper behind on the night she met Prince Charming". The reader is so easily drawn into this world because despite all the magical excitement, it isn't all that different from ours.
Finally, I would just like to give a round of applause to Chris Colfer for finally explaining the mystery behind all the princesses. Did they all fall in love with the same man?
The story explains the the princes are all members of the 'Charming' family. Chad Charming, Chase Charming, and Chandler Charming. How come I never thought of that?!
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this book is the sarcasm in it. As I explained before, the author, Chris Colfer, takes two people from our world and drops them into the twisted fairy tale world and tells the tale of the way they view it. The two realistic-world characters have completely different personalities, so that two different viewpoints can be shown. One character, Conner, is fed up with the fairy tale world and just wants to leave. His reactions to various situations are humorous and sarcastic. Alex on the other hand has never fit in in the real world, and therefore wants to remain there. She takes every opportunity she can to learn about and embrace the Land of Stories.
The great thing about the character of Conner is that his reactions to the fairy tale world are very similar to what any of us would feel if we were to see a modern day fairy tale just strolling by. His sarcastic comments really make the book.
For example, when stumbling upon the candy house where Hansel and Gretel were kidnapped, they run into the evil witch who tries to eat Conner and Alex. Rather than running away, Conner makes a few comments to the witch in which he explains that her motives to eat fatter children because they are more filling is really not a good idea and that she should instead seek out those with more muscle because they will be healthier. He also suggests she build a candy gym. In another incident, he and Alex are trying to sneak into the royal palace and get stopped by the guards. His solution is a remark that makes a joke of the fairy tale world- something that most people would likely make in the situation. He tells the guards that there parents are already inside. When the guard asks who the parents are, Conner says "the inventors of the wishing well."
I also enjoy the twist that Colfer puts on the tales. In the Land of Stories, the fairy tale characters exist in times after their stories. Cinderella and the prince are married, Goldilocks is grown up, etc. It is almost like the magic of each tale is over, but still continues on in a magical world. Colfer is able to make the tales seem realistically carried out. Cinderella explains that when she took over the throne, many wealthy aristocrats were upset because the prince married a poor girl rather than one of their daughters. Despite the fact that this takes place within a fairy tale, this is a pretty realistic situation. When Prince William initially announced that he wanted to marry Kate Middleton, a lot of people were upset because they expected him to marry someone from a more powerful family.
By combining real life characters with old and new fairy tales, Chris Colfer really is able to break the fourth wall in an acceptable and enjoyable way.
To go off on a tangent, who has seen the show Say Yes to the Dress? It is a show about people picking out wedding dresses. All the time I see brides come in asking for 'Cinderella' dresses and I think, who would want that? On my wedding day I don't want a big poofy prom dress that makes me look like a princess. I want something long and simple that makes me look like a bride. However, when reading the children's encounter with Cinderella, I may have changed my mind. Cinderella in this book is somewhat of a combination of Michele Obama and Jennifer Lopez. She is gorgeous and extravagant, but everyone wants to meet her because of how great of a leader and speaker she is. But she's also humble and down to earth. I don't know about anyone else, but I would love to meet that Cinderella.
Colfer does an amazing job at making the Land of Stories seem like an actual world. They have a map, different kingdoms, different rulers, and even historical landmarks. On the steps of Cinderella's castle is a plaque reading "this marks the very place where Cinderella left her glass slipper behind on the night she met Prince Charming". The reader is so easily drawn into this world because despite all the magical excitement, it isn't all that different from ours.
Finally, I would just like to give a round of applause to Chris Colfer for finally explaining the mystery behind all the princesses. Did they all fall in love with the same man?
The story explains the the princes are all members of the 'Charming' family. Chad Charming, Chase Charming, and Chandler Charming. How come I never thought of that?!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
The Land of Stories
We all have the classic childhood fairy tales drilled into our brains. Cinderella lost the glass slipper and it was returned by the prince. Snow White lived with seven dwarfs and ate the poisonous apple. Hansel and Gretel got lured into the candy house.
Some of us know the originals by Hans Christian Anderson and the Grimm Brothers. Ariel didn't lose her voice, she had her tongue removed. Sleeping Beauty wasn't awakened by a prince, but was molested by her step-father.
In the Land of Stories, Chris Colfer takes both versions of the stories, twists them, and brings them to life.
Now fantasy tales are really not my cup of tea. I enjoy mostly realistic fiction, Jodi Picoult-type novels. However, I could not turn down the opportunity to read something by my idol. Chris Colfer is my biggest inspiration. At 18 years old, he joined the Glee cast. Since then he has become a widely respected actor, singer, writer, speaker, and so on. He was one of the New York Times' top 100 influential people. So of course I just had to read the book, fairy tale or not.
Colfer's work is amazing. He takes the original, horror-like fairy tales, along with the Disney-ish tales, and brings them to life. He puts them side by side in a story, along with what can only be called the present day versions of the tales. For example, Goldilocks is wanted for burglary, which in realistic times, is exactly what would happen if you broke into someone's home. He takes the three version and blends them together in a world where fairy tales exist. Then drops a child, though mature for the age, into the story to reveal what exactly would go on in a land where fairy tales exist.
We all know what it felt like to read these tales as a child. Every young girl wanted to be Cinderella at the ball, and every young boy wanted to climb Jack's beanstalk and fight the giant. But as we get older, we see reality, and the stories lose their magic. The trouble is that they lose the lesson along with them.
Colfer begins the novel with a discussion of these lessons. He lets the world know that although these tales have been distorted in telling, that we must keep close the lessons that it provides. But my favorite part is that he brings to life the magic that comes with partaking in fairy tales. Even as an adult, I read this novel and find myself wishing to be in the Enchanted Forest, living in The Land of Stories. To be able to recreate that magic, even past the days of adolescence, is a true talent.
I have not finished the tale, but rest assured, more will come when I do.
Some of us know the originals by Hans Christian Anderson and the Grimm Brothers. Ariel didn't lose her voice, she had her tongue removed. Sleeping Beauty wasn't awakened by a prince, but was molested by her step-father.
In the Land of Stories, Chris Colfer takes both versions of the stories, twists them, and brings them to life.
Now fantasy tales are really not my cup of tea. I enjoy mostly realistic fiction, Jodi Picoult-type novels. However, I could not turn down the opportunity to read something by my idol. Chris Colfer is my biggest inspiration. At 18 years old, he joined the Glee cast. Since then he has become a widely respected actor, singer, writer, speaker, and so on. He was one of the New York Times' top 100 influential people. So of course I just had to read the book, fairy tale or not.
Colfer's work is amazing. He takes the original, horror-like fairy tales, along with the Disney-ish tales, and brings them to life. He puts them side by side in a story, along with what can only be called the present day versions of the tales. For example, Goldilocks is wanted for burglary, which in realistic times, is exactly what would happen if you broke into someone's home. He takes the three version and blends them together in a world where fairy tales exist. Then drops a child, though mature for the age, into the story to reveal what exactly would go on in a land where fairy tales exist.
We all know what it felt like to read these tales as a child. Every young girl wanted to be Cinderella at the ball, and every young boy wanted to climb Jack's beanstalk and fight the giant. But as we get older, we see reality, and the stories lose their magic. The trouble is that they lose the lesson along with them.
Colfer begins the novel with a discussion of these lessons. He lets the world know that although these tales have been distorted in telling, that we must keep close the lessons that it provides. But my favorite part is that he brings to life the magic that comes with partaking in fairy tales. Even as an adult, I read this novel and find myself wishing to be in the Enchanted Forest, living in The Land of Stories. To be able to recreate that magic, even past the days of adolescence, is a true talent.
I have not finished the tale, but rest assured, more will come when I do.
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