The Goose Girl

After a long and very busy day at work, it was lovely to come home and pick up a great book to escape into!   The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale, is a fantastic fairy-tale adaptation. I must confess ignorance, as I’m actually not familiar with the Goose Girl tale (goes to show I never did read all of the Brothers Grimm).  However, I love fairy tales, and this adaptation has earned its place on my list of favourites.   I pledge to go back and read the real Grimm version and not just the synopsis on wikipedia (guilty as charged).

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, the Crown Princess of Kildenree, aka Ani, aka Isi, aka The Goose Girl is a strong female character after my own heart.  I particularly like her because she doesn’t start out that way – she enters the story as a bit of a push-over.  As a very young child, Ani is taught the skills of speaking with animals by her aunt.  Ani always finds herself unsure and uncomfortable speaking with other people, including her strong-willed and persuasive mother, the Queen.

Ani finds herself traveling to the neighbouring Bayern, promised to a prince she has never met.  Betrayed by her lady-in-waiting, Ani must figure out how to survive and in the process ends up finding herself.

I would highly recommend this book to any lover of fairy-tales, strong characters, or recognizing that sometimes it takes a little adversity to shape a person.

My rating:  5/5!