Greatpilgrim's Full Review: Patricia C. Wrede - Book of Enchantments
It’s been a while since I’ve picked up any short story compilations; they’re usually over long before I’ve had a chance to connect with them at all. Even though I hadn’t read any of Patricia C. Wrede’s works before this, I still got the feeling while glancing over this book that it just might be worth the risk. As many of my reviews have revealed, I’m a diehard fairy tale lover, and I can’t pass up a chance to revisit some of them.
Book of Enchantments is comprised of ten short stories, most of them between 20 and 30 pages long, a few of them shorter. They’re apparently set in the Enchanted Forest, a Wrede creation which is featured in, not surprisingly, The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. However, I hadn’t read that series before reading this book, and all but one story made perfect sense to me. Moreover, these stories vary between traditional fairy tale settings (a kingdom far away in a magic land, and so forth) and modern locations with visitations from mythical beings.
Frankly, I’ve rarely encountered short stories that are easier to slip in and out of quickly. Wrede sets forth the backdrop and plot of each tale with admirable clarity, letting the reader encounter just enough magic to be tantalized, but leaving them to continue imagining what happens after the conclusion. The fairy tales are fresh and imaginative, not overly satirized but full of wit, though sometimes it feels as though she tries *too* hard to be unconventional; for instance, there are two stories that feature the middle of three princesses who is plain and has adventures. All of these fables have a charming whimsy, however, and a sense of maturity that is often lacking in this genre of fiction. While ends are not always neatly tied up, you nevertheless feel a sense of fulfillment with each conclusion, and in a way it’s refreshing to read stories that have neither the traditional, spelled-out happy ending nor the everybody-dies tragic ending.
So far I am really impressed with Wrede’s writing, which seems eminently suited to short stories. She has a brevity that somehow doesn’t skimp over the necessary details, doesn’t cheat the reader out of any magic, but also doesn’t waste your time with unimportant trivia. The stories are written with ease and simplicity, suitable for the ten-and-up crowd; it’s the cultured turn of phrase and subtle winks of dry humor that will appeal to the adult reader. Though the storytelling is obviously fantasy-inclined, and has the appropriately magical aura, it also doesn’t have the usual fantasy padding (or if it does, only to make fun of it), of long histories and mystical weapons and so forth; in fact, one story spoofs the genre’s emphasis on “noble weapons” and creates the most powerful weapon in the universe out of – what else? – a frying pan. Not all of the stories are as blantantly comic as this; several of them contain rather deep concepts for short fantasy works, but Wrede always keeps the action moving so you don’t have much time to get bogged down in conceptual stuff.
Her princesses are charming but not fluffy, making them a cut above the usual brand of Princess Diaries heroines. All of her protagonists here (most of them female) are instantly likeable and easy to identify with, and that’s an important quality in short stories! However, I must admit that this is probably chick-lit fantasy, unless there are some diehard fairy-tale male readers out there?
Book of Enchantments begins with the droll Rikiki and the Wizard, a S’Rian folk story (whether that’s a Wrede creation, I have no idea!). This very brief yarn, and The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn which follows it, are delightful spins through a simple, folklorish world of magic. Roses by Moonlight takes a completely different turn with its modern setting and exploration of various futures that might arise from one person’s simple decision. I loved the humor and wistful creativity of The Sixty-Two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd, but Earthwitch felt a bit odd to me: intriguing, but with a sense that you aren’t really sure what’s happening.
The Sword-Seller, a brief tale that could have benefitted from a longer format, is nonetheless riveting story of Aladdin-like enchantment. The other modern story, The Lorelei follows it with an equally enchanting (and sweetly concluded) take on what a modern-day Siren might do. Stronger Than Time’s take on the Sleeping Beauty legend left me puzzled about its outcome, but vaguely intrigued by its unusual concepts (an incorporeal prince, the aging woodsman who helps him wake the princess). The most haunting tale for me in this collection was Cruel Sisters, a retelling of The Bonny Swans (Loreena McKennitt sang a beautiful version of this), in which one sister betrays another for love of a man, and a harp made out of the body of one sister tells of the betrayal. The book ends on an entirely different note with the purely comical Utensil Strength, set after the Enchanted Forest Chronicles and telling of the Frying Pan of Doom! Those who have not read that series and want to may care to avoid this story as it is sure to contain spoilers.
Bottom line
This was a lovely, brief read that yielded a harvest of mesmerizing finds. Even those leery of most fantasy short stories, like me, should consider Book of Enchantments for its clever spin on original fairy tales and its simple yet sophisticated approach. Between the humor, fantasy, adventure, thought-provoking themes, and hints of romance, readers of all types should find something that appeals to them in these stories.
~Other books by Patricia C. Wrede~
Book of Enchantments
Sorcery and Cecilia
Mairelon the Magician
The Magician’s Ward
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles
•Dealing With Dragons
•Searching For Dragons
•Calling On Dragons
•Talking To Dragons
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