coverSUBSCRIBE
Close

BOOKS

Rad Reads

Lit Chicks Challenge pick: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland

When 12-year-old September is invited by the odd-talking Green Wind to visit Fairyland, she’s thrilled to pieces to leave boring Nebraska behind. But once she washes up on a strange shore, wiping Fairy gunk out of her eyes, she’s not sure what to think.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making is unlike any book I’ve ever read. September is a curious girl, a know-it-all whose knowledge is thoroughly turned on its head when she leaps astride a Leopard and sails off on an adventure with the fast-talking Green Wind. The characters—goblins, witches and gnomes among them—are reminiscent of what we know them to be (remember those funny lawn creatures wearing pointed hats?), but then reimagined.
Catherynne Valente has created a whole new world. The structure of the book and its chapters is reminiscent of a play, making the plot easy to follow and the slew of characters easily recalled. A handy reference is there to remind you who’s who, just in case you forget. Everyone in Fairyland is keen on wordplay, making the dialogue a little difficult to follow at times. But the whimsy? Totally makes the momentary confusion worth it.

My favorite part of the story? September herself. She’s a very complex character, brave and adventurous and naïve all at the same time. There is a scene just as she enters Fairyland that I adore: September has dragged her feet through sand dunes piled high with gold coins and treasure, to find a sign pointing out different destinations. One points back in the direction of the perilous sea from which she has just come. The label on the sign reads, “To lose your way.” She craves the ability to lose herself, because it would mean she would know where she was going. It’s an interesting idea, is it not?

 

 

Word to the wise: If you haven’t read The Girl Who Navigated Fairyland yet and don’t want your experience with the novel to be spoiled, do yourself a favor and don’t read the comments to this post ‘til you’ve read the last page of the book!

Love this post? You'll heart these, too!

» Calling all bookworms! Join the Lit Chicks Challenge

WIN IT! Enter now to snag a year's supply of jeans!

Want more ways to get GL? Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

POSTED IN , ,

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016
share

POLL

Which big city would you love to live in? 

  •  
heart

LOVE THIS

WIN! Beauty babes, we just did your holiday shopping for you 🎁

What babe doesn't want beauty goodies? Get ready for a szn filled with fab hair, show-stopping makeup and, ofc, lots of cheer. Click HERE to sneak a peek at our must-have products—and enter for a chance to win them, too! 

FREE STUFF

Win! First Ladies Make History

Spoiler alert: The first ladies have accomplished a *lot* for the U.S. (think: improving schools, protecting our planet and fighting for civil rights). Consider this your ultimate guide to the amaze women of the White House, from Martha Washington all the way to present day. Enter to win here!