Mirror Mirror

another outstanding unusual story

Mr. Maguire has done another outstanding job with an old classic. This is truly another way to look at fairy tales, and one that will make you think. Well done!!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A new outlook on an old story...

This book gives a fresh perspective to the Cinderella story. The hidden depths exposed throughout the telling of Mirror Mirror kept my attention through most of the story. The beginning of the story was a little difficult to wade through, but set the scene for the rest of the book. It gave great insight into each of the characters.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

didn't like it, but I don't like Gregory McGuire, so...

I did not enjoy <i>Mirror, Mirror</i>, which was a book club suggestion rather than a personal choice. I had read <i>Wicked</i> and not liked it much- the writing style seemed oddly impersonal and the tone did not work for me. McGuire seemed to be going for a balance between the cold pragmatism and cynicism of the Wicked Witch and the delightful, magical feel we associate with the Land of Oz. Despite liking the musical, the book left me cold. Because of that I was not looking forward to reading another book by the same author.

In a retelling of a well-known story the author must be extremely strong on points such characterization in order to compensate for the lack of surprises in the plot. In <i>Mirror, Mirror</i> McGuire tried to achieve this by mixing the Snow White story with the mythologized history of the Borgia family. An interesting concept, but ultimately too similar to <i>Wicked</i> in its faults. The characters seemed to be flimsy and one dimensional. Despite the apparent purposefulness of this choice with regard to the dwarfs, it felt like sloppy writing. The details of Lucrezia's possible incestuous relationship with her brother felt like salacious gossip rather than useful addition to the plot.

The ending was also disappointing. The worst part of Snow White is that she runs off with her prince despite hardly knowing him- and even worse, the reader doesn't know him either. <i>Mirror, Mirror</i> repeats this, despite having the opportunity to introduce a prince of an entirely different nature or a relationship that comes out differently from our princess and her prince in Disney and Grimm's.

Basically, if you liked <i>Wicked,</i> you might like this. I'd call it a toss up. If you love Snow White stories, go for it. If you didn't like <i>Wicked</i> or haven't read anything by McGuire, I wouldn't bother. You're not missing much.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Eeek

Deffinately not Maguires best. The plot was nonexistant, the characters compltely drab, and the scenarios were somewhat disgusting. It was an utter peice of crap, but a peice of crap written beautifully.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Snow white by a man

Snow white write by a man was interasing the end lack a real end i love the begin

Fyyf

FYI best book i ever read in my life

Darkly Delightful!

My favorite book from Gregory Maguire! A beautiful retelling that has made this fairy tale my new favorite! Also a quick read!

Ages 25 and 13

My niece and I both read this book since we've enjoyed some of Gregory Maguire's other works. We both found it harder to stay interested in this book. It has a very slow beginning. My niece didn't even finish it, and she loves to read.

First and Last time reading this author.

I was completely disappointed. I love retellings and reworkings of classics, but this one was ALMOST as bad as "pride and prejudice and zombies".....Almost.

Not in the same league with his other books

As wonderful as I thought "Confessions" and the Wicked series was, this book was totally lacking. The characters were flat, the plot non-existent and the book was depressing overall. It truly had no redeeming value at the end. Mr. Maguire, please go back to "Wicked" and writing interesting books. I would honestly ask for my money back on this one.

Good use of reading time allotted for fiction

Enjoyable read. Nothing heavy, just a nice trip to take for a few days of relaxed reading. Have enjoyed several other of Maguire's books and would recommend them; his creativity brings the story alive. A little sorry when it ended, which is a sign of good storytelling. This kind of reading is reminiscent of the hours of fiction reading I enjoyed in my youth.

Book was strange

If you want a twist of the story of snow white you shouldn't read this book. This book barely has any resemblance to snow white and some of the writing was weird. If you are expecting a book like wicked it is nothing like that. Most of the book was boring and didn't really start relating to snow white until the middle. The ending wasn't all that great either. You can buy this book if you want to but I wounldn't recommend it.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

:(

i really tryed to read this. iv loved Wicked and Son Of A Witch, but i just couldn't get through this. i was awfull. very painfull.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

I thought Mirror Mirror was good in some parts but then it was very slow in places. I wouldn't call it the best book there is. But it was okay. Thats all I have to say.

Poison apples, to go

After a somewhat slow beginning, Maguire's retelling of the Snow White story takes off. The quest for Eve's apples gives the reader a rare taste of original sin, delivered in the disturbing form of a familiar fairy tale. This well-written novel reminds us of the pre-Germanic origins of the Grimms' tales, and despite its abrupt ending, worth every minute!

Waiting for the climax

The book is well-written, but leaves something to be desired. It's a fast read, but once you're done, you wonder if you could have spent your time better reading something else. It's just shy of having the spark that grabs you.

Gorgeously written.

Gregory Maguire is not limited to retelling fairy tales. He makes them his own, and if you're not a fan of serious literature, sometimes political, sometimes mystical, you'll find yourself a little lost. Mirror Mirror is so descriptive you can feel the Tuscan sun while reading this book. His characterization is flawless. The self-sufficient Borgias, the heartbreakingly real innocence of Bianca, the desperation of Vincente--this is not a fairy tale. This is art.

Beautifully written but...

Mirror Mirror is a dark retelling of Snow White. It is sophisticatedly written. The beginning is a treat, painting the simple life of young Bianca. The middle part dragged on, though, and the book ended in such an abrupt manner ¿ as if the author couldn¿t decide how to end it and simply finished it in haste. I expected to read about Bianca¿s life afterwards, even just a summary, given that the author put so much detail during her youth and during her times of tribulations. I recognize that this may really be the style of a bleak fairy tale but it leads one to anticipate a more satisfying ending.

Interesting but confusing at times...

This book was very creative and it made me look at the whole story of Snow White in a different way. However, it was very confusing at times especially the parts about the dwarves and the poems randomly placed throughout the book. Although these were confusing, I think that that was sort of the point of this book in that one has to discover their own meaning to these vague references and imagery, which isn't bad because it really makes the reader think. Overall, this was a worthwhile read, at least for anyone with an imagination and a willingness to use their brain.

a great book to start the summer

This book was a great book to start the summer with! I thought that the book was not so slow in the begining.This is one of Gregory Maguire's best book's he wrote. I definetly recomend this book.