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?!