Journal Entry 1 by Anitra from Seattle, Washington USA on Saturday, December 30, 2006

I was looking for Wicked, didn't find it, and bought two other books by Maguire instead. 

Journal Entry 2 by Anitra from Seattle, Washington USA on Monday, January 08, 2007

I've just finished reading this book myself. I stalled the first time I tried. This time, I got into it quite quickly and like it very much. Gregory Maguire took me some getting used to; now, I think, I want to read a lot more of him.

Part of the reason it was so difficult to get into at first, I think, was that I was expecting a fantasy novel, and this isn't a fantasy novel. It is a very character-driven, almost psychological novel, in a historical setting, using fairy-tale allusions. Once I stopped expecting a fantasy novel and took it as whatever it turned out to be, I became fascinated quite quickly, and read it through in one evening.

There are readers-group questions in the back of this edition, which may be fun to discuss with others after they read the book. If I write about them here, though, I'm afraid I'd give away spoilers!

Sending this with great anticipation to the first person to sign up for the bookring, smilingheron. 

Journal Entry 3 by Anitra from Seattle, Washington USA on Wednesday, January 10, 2007

This is the bookring order (will be updated as people join, the book moves, etc.):

1. on its way to -> smilingheron
2. yogie (Sweden, will send out)
3. ThursdayN (Sweden, will send out)
4. Caridad (ships only to U.S.)
5. azuki
6. AgnesXNitt
7. rapturina

Journal Entry 4 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Friday, January 12, 2007

Just received from Anitra (thanks!) as the first leg on a bookring. I've read Wicked, Son of a Witch and Mirror, Mirror by Maguire and have enjoyed them very much - I have to say that Wicked has been my favorite. I'm looking forward to digging into another Maguire! 

Journal Entry 5 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Monday, January 22, 2007

I just finished this wonderful retelling of Cinderella..... Maguire is so good at this - taking a familiar story and adding richness and layers that make it a delight. I love seeing where he goes with his stories.
In this one, it's told from the point of view of one of the stepsisters, Iris, who comes across as a sympathetic person. Cinderella, on the other hand, is beautiful, yet has her own demons. Maguire deals with larger issues - particularly beauty and seeing beauty in one's self and in the world....also issues of charity....
enjoyable.....

I'll be sending it to the next person on the list.... 

Journal Entry 6 by 2of3Rs from Hillsboro, Oregon USA on Thursday, January 25, 2007

sent off today to yogie in Sweden.... 

Journal Entry 7 by yogie from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Found this in my mailbox today! I recently read Wicked, and I really enjoyed that book. I like how Maguire takes classical stories and writes them from a totally different perspective.
I have already opened the book and have started to read it.
Thanks Anitra for organizing, and thanks to smilingheron for sending it out to me. 

Journal Entry 8 by yogie from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 06, 2007

I love fairytales, but I also love the way Maguire takes them, strips them down and make them his own. I think that if you didn't know this was another version of Cinderella, it would be hard to notice.
Wicked was great, and so is this story. The most famous version of Cinderella is the Disney version, and in that Cinderella is portrayed as a lovely person who is being very unfairly treated by her stupid stepsisters and stepmom. This story adds some reality to it and makes us see how beauty can be a curse and how painfully vain we are in this world.
The best thing with Maguire, I think, is how he really shows us how there can be so many sides to one story. It's really amazing!

I have PMed ThursdayN for the address, and will send off as soon as my bank account allows it!
Thanks for sharing!

ETA: This book was sent off to ThursdayN 070207 

Journal Entry 9 by ThursdayN from Göteborg, Västergötland Sweden on Friday, February 09, 2007

Got it in the mail today, thank you yogie!

Will start reading today. 

Journal Entry 10 by ThursdayN from Göteborg, Västergötland Sweden on Friday, February 16, 2007

I really liked this book! And like Anitra said: I want to read more of his books!

I will send this to Caridad asap! 

Journal Entry 11 by ThursdayN at By mail in By mail, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, February 17, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (2/16/2007 UTC) at By mail in By mail, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent Caridad. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 12 by Caridad from Miami Lakes, Florida USA on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Received from ThursdayN. Must finish one ring, and will PM azuki for fowarding address. 

Journal Entry 13 by Caridad from Miami Lakes, Florida USA on Thursday, March 08, 2007

I felt the same way as Anitra. At first, I couldn't get into reading it. But then I got some momentum and really enjoyed this story. The perspective of the characters made me think (which a good story should). Also, this is the first story I have ever read by Gregory Maguire. I look forward to reading more of his work.

In the mail to azuki. I hope you can find it behind the stack of books you have! 

Journal Entry 14 by azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Saturday, March 10, 2007

Thanks Caridad, I got the book today, along with four other BC books, all from different senders! Are you a prophet or something?
Really glad to receive this as it's been a wishlist book. I should have some time next week to do some reading so hopefully it won't take too long to get this moving again! 

Journal Entry 15 by azuki from Miami, Florida USA on Wednesday, April 11, 2007

I have read plenty revised version of this fairy tale, such as Ella Enchanted and Just Ella, but this is definitely an accomplishment. It swifted the focus onto Iris, the stepsister who is plain in looks but wise and observative. It landed the tale into a specific spot in history and place. It adds depth and reasoning to each character.

Thanks Anitra for sharing the book. I just received AgnesXNitt's address and will mail the book on my next time to the post office. 

Journal Entry 16 by AgnesXNitt from Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Saturday, June 30, 2007

Received today in the post!
I have one more ring book to read before this, though I am so intrigued, it may jump that one...
Thanks to Azuki for posting to me and to Anitra for hosting this ring :) 

Journal Entry 17 by AgnesXNitt from Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Well, it was a bit complicated in parts but it was okay. Damned with faint praise, I know, but I don't think I'll be reading anymore of Macquire's books. 'Wicked' was a matter of honour, I fought my way through that one, and about 3 quarters of the way through 'Confessions', I was feeling the same way.
Anyway, PM'ing Rapturina for her addy and will get sent off soonest. 

Journal Entry 18 by rapturina from Yantai, Shandong China on Saturday, July 14, 2007

It's here! Funny, I didn't even realize this book was actually set in my country when I signed up for the ring. :D I have a few other rings here at the moment, but considering I'm the last in line I'm just going to assume rather boldly that it won't be too much of a problem if I take a bit longer than usual with this book. :D 

Journal Entry 19 by rapturina from Yantai, Shandong China on Sunday, August 12, 2007

Finished this book a few days ago and I'm not quite sure what to think of it. I must admit it didn't really grab me and I'm not sure what was wrong with it. I really enjoyed the style of writing and the historical setting (though the misspelling of some of the names of famous Dutch painters really irritated me) and I thought it was an interesting twist on such a familiar story, but still. I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I just wasn't in the right state of mind for it? Either way, I thought it was a fairly good book and I am definitely interested in reading more of Maguire's work.

On Anitra's bookshelf another mailing list is posted that I hadn't noticed before, with kitiarablue after me. I have her address and will send the book on as soon as I get the chance to go to the postoffice.

ETA: On its way to kitiarablue as of August 17th! 

Journal Entry 20 by kitiarablue from Jersey City, New Jersey USA on Thursday, August 23, 2007

Arrived today! It got here much faster than I expected! Good thing too- I have the day off and I'm bored to tears- so I'm going to start this book now! 

Journal Entry 21 by kitiarablue from Jersey City, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, September 05, 2007

After reading Wicked and Son of a Witch I think I was expecting all of Gregory Maguire's books to have more of a political flavor to them, but this one doesn't, and I like it just as much. It kind of makes you see how fairy tales might have been started, and how maybe everything didn't always end up happily ever after. In any case, I really enjoyed this book, and now want to read Mirror, Mirror even more! Anitra- thanks for sharirng, and your book is ready to come home!