Rated: 4.5/5Tags: Fairy tale retelling, YA
Summary: At the age of 15, Liga is isolated, uneducated, and has suffered unspeakable abuse for years. Finally, she can't take it any more and decides to end her life. At the last moment, a magical force intervenes and sweeps Liga away to her own personal heaven. There she raises her two daughters, Branza and Urdda. Everything seems perfect, but it can't last forever, and soon enough the outside world starts to intrude on Liga's paradise.
Summary: At the age of 15, Liga is isolated, uneducated, and has suffered unspeakable abuse for years. Finally, she can't take it any more and decides to end her life. At the last moment, a magical force intervenes and sweeps Liga away to her own personal heaven. There she raises her two daughters, Branza and Urdda. Everything seems perfect, but it can't last forever, and soon enough the outside world starts to intrude on Liga's paradise.
Opening lines: There are plenty would call her a slut for it. Me, I was just glad she had shown me.
My thoughts: Wow. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading Tender Morsels, and it completely blew me away.
Lanagan's writing is incredibly evocative. She manages to convey so much with so little. Sometimes this is a good thing, and sometimes I wished she wasn't quite so skilled. Even though all of the abuse against Liga takes place "off-screen," it felt very real in my mind, and I found myself cringing throughout the first 50 pages or so. I almost couldn't keep reading. I'm glad I kept going, though, because Lanagan's story is really a joy to read, despite the tough material.
Tender Morsels is a story guarenteed to leave you with a lot to think about. First, there's the whole concept of Liga being swept away to the land of her Heart's Desire. It seems good, but is it really? Then, there's the power imbalance between men and women in the story (and in the world?). I thought it was interesting that Liga's story was always portrayed in the third person, but the men tell their own stories. There's plenty more going on, but those were the two biggest ones in my mind.
My favorite moment in the story was when Liga finally left her heaven and entered the real world again. She finally realizes everything she's been giving up her entire life, and the emotion was completely breathtaking.
The only real problem I had with this book is the changing viewpoints. This is never a favorite gimmick of mine, but in this book it is particularly hard to follow. There are four (maybe five?) different perspectives in the book, and only one is in the third person. The others were confusing and hard to follow when I couldn't tell who was talking.
This book is classified as YA, but I probably wouldn't give it to anyone younger than 16 or so due to the material (there's one scene in particular, other than Liga's abuse, that was very disturbing). However, I felt that overall, the book was positive and life-affirming. It's the kind of story that made me want to go hug my kids, watch sunsets, and enjoy every moment of every day. It sounds cheesy, right? The story is not cheesy. I am cheesy. Don't blame the book. If you're up for a bittersweet and emotionally difficult read, you should give this one a try, it's worth it.
Read this if you like: Fairy tale retellings (especially darker ones), heartwrenching stories, food for thought.
My thoughts: Wow. I had no idea what to expect when I started reading Tender Morsels, and it completely blew me away.
Lanagan's writing is incredibly evocative. She manages to convey so much with so little. Sometimes this is a good thing, and sometimes I wished she wasn't quite so skilled. Even though all of the abuse against Liga takes place "off-screen," it felt very real in my mind, and I found myself cringing throughout the first 50 pages or so. I almost couldn't keep reading. I'm glad I kept going, though, because Lanagan's story is really a joy to read, despite the tough material.
Tender Morsels is a story guarenteed to leave you with a lot to think about. First, there's the whole concept of Liga being swept away to the land of her Heart's Desire. It seems good, but is it really? Then, there's the power imbalance between men and women in the story (and in the world?). I thought it was interesting that Liga's story was always portrayed in the third person, but the men tell their own stories. There's plenty more going on, but those were the two biggest ones in my mind.
My favorite moment in the story was when Liga finally left her heaven and entered the real world again. She finally realizes everything she's been giving up her entire life, and the emotion was completely breathtaking.
The only real problem I had with this book is the changing viewpoints. This is never a favorite gimmick of mine, but in this book it is particularly hard to follow. There are four (maybe five?) different perspectives in the book, and only one is in the third person. The others were confusing and hard to follow when I couldn't tell who was talking.
This book is classified as YA, but I probably wouldn't give it to anyone younger than 16 or so due to the material (there's one scene in particular, other than Liga's abuse, that was very disturbing). However, I felt that overall, the book was positive and life-affirming. It's the kind of story that made me want to go hug my kids, watch sunsets, and enjoy every moment of every day. It sounds cheesy, right? The story is not cheesy. I am cheesy. Don't blame the book. If you're up for a bittersweet and emotionally difficult read, you should give this one a try, it's worth it.
Read this if you like: Fairy tale retellings (especially darker ones), heartwrenching stories, food for thought.
Second opinions:
Things Mean a Lot
Fyrefly's Book Blog
My Fluttering Heart
Cover controversy: I think that the paperback cover I used at the top of the review captures the dark feel of the story better than the hardback cover. Which do you like better?
9 comments:
1. I read allot of reviews but you have away of sucking me in with your reviews. I almost can't look away.
2. I really need to read this now. Thanks for the review.
3. I agree the top cover seems better suited. The bottom makes it seem too childish.
Juju- Thanks! That's gotta be one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.
Great review! I finished this recently too, and am working on posting my review as well. =)
The multiple view-points wasn't a problem for me, but the calm events after Liga is brought back was.
Dazzling- I can see why the pacing might have been a problem, though it didn't bother me.
Your review has reminded me how much I need to pick up this book! I've heard so many wonderful things about it!
I'm a fan of the hc as well!
Thanks for your review! I've seen this one around and the cover makes it seem like it would be younger YA. It's very helpful for me to know that it's really for older YA. Although i think I want to read it for myself now :)
Nice review! I've been eyeing this for a while now... the title is what initially captured my interest :)
and the top cover is waaay better; I agree with Juju-the bottom one makes it seem childish.
I've got to read this! I read the review on Things Mean a Lot a few months ago and have been meaning to put it on hold. Thanks for the great review, and thanks for reminding me to read this book!
What a great review! Like Emidy, I added this one to my wishlist after reading Nymeth's review, and now I'm thinking of getting it sooner. I also agree that the pb cover is better, darker, with a very intense atmosphere.
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