wonderful tale

As so many reviews before me. I agree that it was difficult initially to get used to the narrative as her changes were difficult, but as all the reviews also said you get used to it and the story is well worth it. so stick with it.

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I COULDN'T STOP

I listened to Novick"s _Uprooted_ and immediately purchased _Spinning Silver_. I was thinking that the length of it would keep me busy for a while. BUT I couldn't stop!!! The plot kept getting better and better and the characters kept giving me more and more layers. I want to go back and listen again so I can think about the themes she's woven through. This might be my new favourite book. Just read it. But make sure you have time to keep going once you've started!!!

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Enjoyable and cleverly done fairytale

Knowing that the story is narrated from multiple character's points of view has helped listening and keeping up with the storyline. The frequent changes keep it interesting and pace the story well. I loved the character development and detail that went into the world building. Looking forward to more from the author!

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An empowering and smart retelling of a folktale

This was a lovely audiobook and a really good story.
If like me comments and reviews freaked you out a bit : I personally enjoyed the changes of POV!!
I thought it was masterfully handled, and getting different perspective on the same events in the book added so much layers and characterization.
It's also fucking nice to see how independent thinking can blossom in the minds of different folks going through different kinds of traumatic shit. I'm a bit tired or the narrative that pretends "women in the ol'times did not think by themselves and just accepted their lower status heads bent" and this book was anything but that!!
It very vividly depicted genuine character development, and it talked about a form of solidarity born of complexity and oppression rather than our of pure "magic kindness'.
And I appreciated that a lot!!
I'm a sucker for folktales rewritten and as a Jew I highly value the art of retelling stories over and over, that is part of our long-standing tradition as a people.
And talking about Jewishness, so THIS IS where all the Eastern European Jews of Uprooted where hiding all of this time!! Glad Novik ended up finding room for our people, and including us in her amazing writing.
I'll even forgive her having Miryem referenced the Book of Judith (Christian Scriptures!!!!), because the way she writes about antisemitism and her characters experiencing it on both ends (either being antisemitic or suffering antisemitism) was very well done.
It is at time a bit simplified, no mentions of the Christian Church planting and using that antisemitism to its own gain for instance, but overall I felt like a nice and relatable portrait of Jewish identity that I resonated with.
I enjoyed my time in Lithvas, and left this world on an ending that made me hopeful and filled with a craving for rereading my favourites tales.

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1 person found this helpful

Gripping & worth spending a credit on it. Also long so good value for a journey!

My 1st adult fairytale type book. I thought it might be soppy but it wasn’t. If you liked Harry Potter or The hobbit, or Jonathon Strange, you may well like this one. I was gripped & even a little tearful occasionally. Well written in language & setting. Details of time & place ie Russian type setting seemed authentic & believable. The narrator was fine. The voices weren’t so very different - but often in books it takes a few words into a chapter to twig who is talking so similar to this & didn’t distract from story.

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magical and all things fantasy

I wasn't sure what to make of this book but actually I really enjoyed it. it's full of fantasy with lots of twists and turns with the characters. good story line and well thought out.

The narrator was good BUT I found myself getting confused on which female character she was playing. sounded all the same so had to keep listening to figure out which one as it went along.

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Not in the same vein as deadly education, but good

A slower burner that the amazing trilogy, darker, harsher but with wonderfully strong female characters as always. Only seen a good because her trilogy was great. Narration excellent as ever.

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amazing

I loved it, even more than I loved Uprooted. The voice took a moment to get used to (an hour or so), but was lovely after that. One issue I had, is that it sometimes takes a moment to realise which of the main characters is speaking at the moment, since there are a few. This sometimes created a little confusion. But I have quickly become a Naomi Novik fan!

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Good story. Confusing narration

The narrator does a similar voice for different points of view and there is no warning that the point of view has changed mid chapter! This might be ok in the book but it made me confused.

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18 people found this helpful

What a wonderful author

True storytelling at its finest. I thought there was no chance it could be as good as Uprooted. I was wrong. Lovely

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