In a used and rare bookstore in the heart of Manhattan,Lil takes great pleasure in opening up the shop early enough to leaf through the pages of her favorite leather bound volume of children's stories which has a sentence in French scribbled on the inside back cover that translates as "All my old loves will be returned to me."
Those words have special meaning to Lil,who is more than just another old woman living alone in the city with only a cheeseburger dinner at her favorite diner and some TV watching to look forward to at night.
When she gets home after a long day's work,Lil can truly relax by unbinding herself and letting her feathery wings spread out in private. For she is a fairy in exile and not just any fairy at that;Lil was chosen by the elders of her people to be godmother to a very special human girl,Cinderella:
Lil fell from grace by falling in love with Cinderella's intended prince herself and trying to take her place at the ball. Her punishment was to be banished from the fairy realm and she has spent centuries making her way in the mortal world,missing her home and friends.
Lil especially longs to see her sister Maybeth and there may be a chance to do so by an unexpected opportunity to make up for her past mistakes:
Into the bookstore one day comes Veronica,a lively young woman who strikes up a friendship with Lil. Veronica has great taste in vintage goods but bad radar when it comes to men. It soon becomes clear to Lil that if she can find Veronica a true love,then she may be able to go home and never have to leave again.
Godmother is the second book by Carolyn Turgeon whose debut novel,Rain Village,received quite a bit of notable praise. Godmother was released just this week and I'm enjoying it immensely. So much that I would like to share this book with one of my blog readers with another great giveaway.
All you have to do is leave a comment at this post before Friday and I will pick one person at random to get a free copy of Godmother sent to him or her by the good folks at Three Rivers Press. Make your comment fairytale related;mention your favorite story or film version of a classic bedtime story. You can also make your choice of favorite fairy tale heroine-Snow White,Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty?
I'll even allow mentions of your favorite fairytale villain or magical helper(Blue Fairy vs. Wicked Queen-talk about a grudge match!). Please just leave your comment by midnight on Thursday and the winner will be announced on this following Friday. Winning this book will be much easier than shoving your foot into a glass slipper or fleeing from a ball down pitch covered stairs,I guarantee:
67 comments:
I can't decide which I like better, the videos you've included here or the story premise!
No need to enter me, though -- Mt. TBR is too darn big. I'm just dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've posted about this at Win a Book.
Oh, this sounds great.
I'm going to be contrary and specific. My favorite fairy tale villain is in the Little Mermaid. But not just any version of the Little Mermaid -- Disney's Ursula.
I think there must have been something wrong with me as a child. Everyone I knew wanted to be the princess, I wanted to be the over-the-top character reminiscent of a drag queen! If ever there was a Little Mermaid on Broadway and I got to choose any role I could, it would be Ursula.
Don't get me wrong, I can be pretty girlie, but I know a good part when I see it!
I've always loved the Little Mermaid, because it didn't have a happy ending, which is what usually happens with fairy tales. She was a strong individual, but things just didn't work out for her. It made me sympathize with her a lot more than Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, or even Snow White. That was one of the reasons why I didn't like the Disney version. They ruined a classic.
I will say that the Wicked Fairy from Sleeping Beauty was an awesome, yet sympathetic villain. She does have a bit of a grudge problem, but who wouldn't when everyone invites your sisters and not you and you look incredibly different from them. I bet she had an inferiority complex as a child that stayed with her during her adulthood. :p
Thanks!
~ Popin
proudbookworm[@]gmail[dot]com
Favorite fairytale beauty would be Snow White. With a demonic stepmother like that, who couldn't see the beauty of Snow White how could you not sympathize wih her.
I read your review and I'm jumping up and down at the possiblity of winning this book. Thank you for the opportunity! Indigo
ravensquietscreams@gmail.com
Hey, I'd love to win this book! Sounds like a unique idea. Cinderella totally wins hands down. I love all the movies based off the fairytale, portraying Cinderella as this hardworking, strong, yet dreamy, young woman who's unwilling to let a little opposition get her down. She rules!
Thanks!
Cindy
wilsoncindyr(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a wonderful story!! Please enter me :)
My favorite fairytale would have to be Sleeping Beauty. I just love the Dopey, and Sleepy and Grouchy and yup all of them!!
wendyhines (at) hotmail (dot) com
This book sounds amazing I love retellings of fairy tales. My favorite heroine is Sleeping Beauty, the whole story is just beautiful. :D
I am such a huge Cinderella fan, I really love the movie version with Brandy, Whitney Houston and Whoopi Goldberg. but I also love the cartoon and all the various book versions of it. And what is worse than a very real villian. Dragons don't scare me, they aren't real but a mean stepmom, they happen in real life.
sports dot erikalynn at gmail dot com
Ohh please enter me! I love stories like this. I remember reading once a spin on Snow White.. I think it was a short story by Neil Gaiman.. The story basically went on the premise that Snow White was really a vampire, hence why her Stepmother had her heart removed. Without saying much else to spoil it, it certainly shone a different light on them both!
One of my favorites, for sure, lol. Thanks! (lpmccann (at) gmail.com)
My favorite fairytale heroine has always been Cinderella. I loved her beautiful shimmery dress and the songs from the cartoon. My favorite sidekicks were always the seven dwarfs.
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com
This sounds like a great book! I think Cinderella would be my favorite out of the fairy tales. What ordinary girl doesn't dream of meeting a prince and being whisked away?
My favorite fairy tale character is Cinderella in almost all of her incarnations, my two favorites being the Disney cartoon and the movie Ever After with Drew Barrymore.
Margay
The book sounds fun! Guess I would have to go with every little girl I know and pick Cinderella for a favorite.
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I would say my favorite fairytale based movie would be Ever After, based, of course, on Cinderella. I think I like it because the heroine (and the prince) are not sickeningly sweet and nice all the time.
Godmother sounds wonderful!
rebecca.bradeen(at)verizon(dot)net
Sounds like a great book! I've always loved watching cinerella growing up and that would probably be my favorite fairy tale, I loved the fairy godmother, she was always so nice to cinderella!
Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale. I used to watch the movie over and over when I was a kid.
bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love the old version of Cinderella but my favorite fairy tale heroine is Snow White.
I really loved Robin McKinley's BEAUTY: A RETELLING OF THE STORY OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Of course, I love all McKinley works, but that one was especially fun.
Great responses so far,ladies! Susan,thanks for the shout-out at Win A Book,I really appreciate it.
To Sunny @the Library;Ursula is in the Top Ten of my Disney Villains Favorites list(number one is the Wicked Queen from Snow White).
According to the Little Mermaid DVD extras,her design was loosely based on Divine(John Waters was a pal of one of the cartoonists for the film),another reason to love that bad girl all the more:)
I have always loved Cinderella since I was a little girl! This book sounds awesome!!
ays z
ayszed [at] hotmail [dot] com
My favorite fairytale is The Solider and Death. I get so sad at the end and I still cry! I can just imagine that poor lonely soldier wandering around, constantly denied death by the Death who is afraid of him.
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
My favorite fairy tale movie is Enchanted.
I loved the Faerie Tale Theatre shows done by Shelly Duvall, especially the Cinderella version with Matthew Broderick. But my favorite faery tale is probably Sleeping Beauty, specifically, the Robin McKinley version called "Spindle's End"
OH how fun!!! I guess I love Cinderella and her Prince Charming, yet then again I've always wanted long hair so maybe I have a secret desire to be Repunzel? Which ever, I am the fair maiden waiting to be saved!!!
Thanks so much
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love the chance to read it.
My favorite fairy tale is Cinderella. And all the variations on the story that are out there too.
Snow White, Cinderella, or Sleeping Beauty? I'd have to say Cinderella. I don't know why but I never really liked the story of Snow White. As for Sleeping Beauty, I only know the Disney version, and she doesn't seem to do very much...Cinderella on the otherhand was hardworking and optimistic. (yes, Disney Snow White was too but for some reason I didn't like her) I fully believe in the power of optimism. Ooh, and I loved Ever After too! ^_^
mnemlethe [at] gmail [dot] com
I've always loved Cinderella! I haven't read "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" by Gregory Maguire yet but I think it'd be interesting to see the story from a different point of view. Thanks for the giveaway:)
It may be a bit strange, but I think my favorite fairy tale is Shrek!! Fiona, a plus-sized heroine, finds her prince charming in that handsome fellow down in the swamp. No job, but he does have his own home! Love it!! :)
This book looks really cute too!
rachie2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
My favorite fairy tale is Sleeping Beauty. "Mirror, mirror, on the wall..."
This sounds like so much fun! I'm going to have to put it on my list of books to read! I love reinvented fairytales!
It has to be Cinderella by all means. I love fairy tale related books. I just read Dragon's keep, a fairy tale, and it's fabulous.
Please enter me if international (elizascott2005[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]in)
Oh I love the Cinderella fairy tale! However, my favorite princess from the Disney films would have to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast. What a wonderful post!!!
My favorite fairy tale version of all time is the Rodgers and Hammerstein version that ran on tv every year when I was a kid. It starred Leslie Ann Warren as Cinderella...I've even got a copy to watch now and then...I love it!
So who's my favorite? Cinderella hands down!
I can't believe I forgot to leave my email addy!
tbbycatt@gmail.com
I hope I win! I'd love to get this book...it sounds awesome!
i really like beauty and the beast and my favorite version is cocteau's version "La Belle et la Bête". it's really wonderful
My favorite "fairytale" is the Sword in the stone". I love the Villian in it. The witch that changes shapes. She is awesome.
livingmyhappilyeverafter at yahoo
As a kid, I always enjoyed the "Fractured Fairytales" that ran during The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. Although, it took me a while to understand why people didn't know the stories the same way that I did. Then I discovered the original versions of some of the stories...and, wow, yeah, not quite suitable for Disney movies. And, again, people didn't always understand what I was talking about...the step sisters never cut bits of their feet off in the movie version of Cinderella. And then, in college, I was involved in a theatrical production of Into the Woods. That was a fun show. Giants and fairy godmothers and a cow...we had lots of fun with the cow. I think I like all of these versions much better than the ones that most people know.
Thanks for the chance to win.
ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com
What a great post! The book sounds terrific. I really enjoy fairy tale retellings. Hmm...I have to say Cinderella is probably my favorite character.
Thanks for the great giveaway!!
alice in wonderland because i felt as if i was part of the story thanks for the giveaway
I'm going to say my favorite is Beauty and the Beast. I love how Belle is intellectual and enjoys reading. I also liked how her character could see past the appearance of the Beast and fall in love with him.
samsakara@twcny.rr.com
My very favorite of all is Cinderella i loved the way in the story the underdog pulled threw just hold out and your day will come summerinzing of the story. I would love to win this book.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
When I was young I loved the old Cinderella musical. I watched it so many times that the VHS started to disintrgrate.
Now I'm not sure what my favorite fair tale would be. I did really like the movie and book Stardust, if that counts.
Thanks for the giveaway.
spackattak7(at)hotmail(dot)com
My favorite fairy tale was always Sleeping Beauty because I loved the dwarfs :-) Although later I also added Beauty and the Beast to my favorites because I really liked the Beast!
vmlay@artsci.wustl.edu
I've been on a fairy tale/fractured fairy tale kick lately, and I think my favorite book has been The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. :)
jamesandpennym(at)gmail(dot)com
Great post. Please enter me. My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast, and I love the disney version, because Belle loves books. This book looks great.
lisalouhoo(at)msn(dot)com
I really enjoyed Ever After, and my fav story is also then Cinderella, but the true one where they cut of their toes to fit in the shoes.
Hi! What a delightful book giveaway drawing. I like Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf! Please enter me in your fun book giveaway drawing.
Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Aerin, I LOVED Fairy Tale Theater! If i ever see them on dvd, I'm buying them!
Margay
My high school put on Into the Woods, and a lot of my friends were in it. I remember think that it was hilarious, but don't remember much about it, now I'm going to have to go find a copy!
Please enter me in the giveaway!
meh471 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
I don't have a favourite fairy tale, but I loved Andrew Lang's Fairy Books when I was younger. I remember borrowing the first one from an old lady who lived down the road, and then discussing it with her.
Fave fairy tale would definitely be Cinderella - feel good story
msboatgal at aol dot com
Out of those three princess's, I would have to say Cinderella. She went through so much, and deserved a happy ending! What a fun giveaway!
alwayssomething2read(at)gmail(dot)com
When I was little, my favorite fairy tale was the Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson. Thanks for stirring up a warm memory. :) asthenight at gmail dot com
Oh, how awesome. This book sounds great.
I don't know if Beauty and the Beast counts as a fairy tale, b/c Belle is my favorite. She reads!! What's not to love?
But umm...Snow White if that won't count. I just love her and the dwarfs. :)
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
I would have to say Cinderella - as I love the twists with the movie versions with Drew Barrymore (Ever After) and Hillary Duff (A Cinderella Story)
kherbrand at comcast dot net
This book looks like a simply wonderful read! I love the story Red Shoes though it does seem kinda of horrid.
I loved the version of Ella Enchanted. I read the book and watched the movie. My favorite has always been Cinderella.
Love to have this. My favorite fairytale like movie is Ever After.
Thanks,
darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite fairy tale would be,
a bookstore keeper.
who would be me.
Just down the street,
with flowers galore.
with clear black letters,
my name on the door.
So hocus pocus and wishes times three,
I wish, I wish, I wish it would to be.
BevE
merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com,
I loved the musical Cinderella made in the sixties with Lesley Ann Warren. Thanks!
This book sounds AWESOME :D
Picking a favorite fairy tale...that's going to be harder. I was always into the old fashioned rhymes, like "Sing a Song of Sixpence" and "The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker." As far as adapted stories...well, I see that you've included a clip from "Into the Woods." I saw that with my sister last year, and I loved it. Can that be my favorite? :D
Thanks for hosting!
:) velocibadgergirl at gmail dot com
I liked the version of Cinderella with Drew Barrymore, but I can't remember the name of it right now!
My fave classical princess would be Princess Aurora of Sleeping Beauty. My current favorite fairytale story would be The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. This book also sounds fun! Thanks!
bunnybx at gmail .c om
This would be great. I like having a daughter because it gives me a good excuse to watch all the 'fairy tale' movies. I have an older movie version of Cinderella and love it.
I've always liked Little Red Riding Hood...so much for the Big Bad Wolf.
I do like cinderella but prefer Ariel
I definitely would love to win this!
Thank you
calliemist@yahoo.com
I love fairy tale retellings. I have hundreds of them. By far my favorite is Tam Lin by Pamela Dean. It is fantastic! This book sounds great.
Thanks for entering me!
Belladonna1975(at)pobox(dot)com
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