Wednesday, April 22, 2015

S is for Sisters

Sisters, ah yes, I know all there is to know about sisters since I have two of my own and a cousin who is more like an older sister than a cousin.  Or do I?  Know all there is to know about sisters – that is?


I chaffed through my childhood while Mom read or told us stories about sisters and how the youngest one was always the prettiest, wittiest, smartest, best all around at everything.  How come it was never the oldest?

Well at least when our cousinly theatre was presented, I played the part of Cinderella.  Well, it was because I was the theatrical type and my sisters and cousin weren’t.  But secretly, deep down, I was so relieved that the oldest could do something beautiful, special, right.

One of my favorite stories as an eldest sister growing up in the 50’s was Snow White and Rose Red.  Why?  Because both sisters were all those wonderful things that seemed in most tales to belong only to the youngest.  Both sisters marry a prince.  

This month it is my turn to choose the book and lead the book discussion for my book club (Broads, Books and Banter).  At Jane Yolen’s suggestion I decided to have members read one of the books in the Fairy Tale series edited by Terri Windling. These novels are remakes of the old fairy tales.  Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia C. Wrede, was one of them.  It is set in medieval England.  The Land of Fairy borders the land where the home of the widow and her two daughters is located.  The novel follows to some degree the Grimm’s tale, but with delightful diversions.

Other novels in the Fairy Tale series include Briar Rose, by Jane Yolen; Tam Lin, by Pamela Dean; Jack the Giant Killer, by Charles de Lint; The Nightingale, by Kara Dalkey; White as Snow, by Tanith Lee; Fitcher’s Brides, by Gregory Frost; The Sun, the Moon and the Stars, by Steven Burst; and Persinette, by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont La Force.  If you haven’t discovered this series of old tales set in more modern times, you’re in for a treat.


4 comments:

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

Stopping in from A-Z. I enjoyed what I read. I am a storyteller by heart so this was fun.

Stories by Julie said...

So glad you enjoyed the post. Are you doing the challenge as well?

Lisa Mandina said...

Love this post. I have two sisters also. Both younger than me. Our relationships have gone through many different stages. They're both at least 10 years younger than I am, so there was the stage when they were annoying little sisters. Then I had times with both that I was best friends. But things change, and unfortunately I don't feel as close to them as I would like to these days.
If you have time you should stop by and check out my S Post.

Stories by Julie said...

Lisa, Loved the reviews. I am a former librarian and sometimes that's all I read was reviews. Now I'm enjoying whole books!
Thanks for the heads up.

View my website at:
www.StoriesByJulie.com