This is an interesting retelling of the fairy tale about the maiden whose twelve brothers had been turned into swans by an evil step-mother. In fact, half of the book is just that, a retelling of the fable, but set in Puritan New England; the other half of the book, told in alternate chapters, tells a modern-day fable of a young gay man's coming of age - just at the dawn of the AIDS epidemic. Yes, it's a bit contrived in places, but overall I enjoyed it very much. These aren't happy-ever-after stories [in fact, this is more of a box-of-tissues book], but they are woven together wonderfully, and there is love and hope among the nettles...

[Update, 2/2010: I just read The Glass Harmonica, and as it has a similar two-different-times split-storyline, and something of a similar feel, I thought I'd cross-link it. If you like one you might like the other!]

Released on Friday, October 11, 2002 at Green Line E line in Boston, Massachusetts USA.

Was in Boston to see David Sedaris - definitely worth it! - and left this book, though not on the train. I was waiting at the Symphony station, but the train was too full, so I left the book on a bench. Hope its next stop is an appreciative one!

Sorry it took so long, I picked up the book and it got lost in a move. It was a good book to start off my summer days with. I hope its next home is a good one.