18 September 2012

Review: Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth book cover
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth is essentially the story of Rapunzel, a children's story we all think we know pretty well.  However in the hands of Australian author Kate Forsyth - who is currently undertaking a Doctorate in fairytale retellings - the story is told anew and adult readers are in for an absolute treat!

Early on, we meet Margherita, a young girl living with her parents on their modest income until she is cruelly snatched away by a witch for payment on a promise made by her father a long time ago.

Charlotte-Rose de la Force is living at court in Versailles, France until she falls out of favour with the Sun King Louis XIV and is sent to a nunnery.  Always writing stories, Charlotte-Rose is keen to listen to an old tale from one of the nuns about a young girl sold for a handful of bitter greens.

La Strega Bella is the witch who locked Rapunzel in the tower and we are given a first person peek at what drove her to those extremes.  The reader is taken back to her time as a young girl to find out what drove her towards the dangerous world of dark magic.

Three lives, three women all interconnected with elements of historical fiction combined with fairytale and magic make for an enchanting and compelling read and I was glued from the first few pages.  Even the cover is enticing, and I knew by page 50 that Bitter Greens was going to be a 5 star read for me and I relished every page.

The novel is on the darker side of fairytale, so don't be expecting shades of Disney or be surprised when the plague comes knocking.  Oh, and saucy too!  The final third of the novel is quite tantalising - let me tell you - so be prepared ;-)

Finally, I recommend Bitter Greens to readers who enjoy historical fiction, fairytales and those who enjoy stories with passion, love, hardship, revenge and redemption.

My rating = *****

Carpe Librum!

(P.S. I'm also pleased that Bitter Greens qualifies for both reading challenges).

Would you like to comment?

  1. I loved this too, one of my favourite books this year!

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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  2. I've been recommending it ever since I finished it.

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  3. I only just finished reading Bitter Greens. It is a remarkable retelling of the Rapunzel fairytale and the three different lives and times very deftly interwoven.

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  4. Glad you enjoyed it Elizabeth!

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  5. Hi there, the October edition of Books You Loved is live. Here is the link Books You Loved October Edition Please do pop by and link in a post about a book you loved. Maybe this one? Cheers

    PS I am a follower of your blog. I know you have linked in before, too – which is great. Would you consider following Carole's Chatter back – or are you already?

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  6. Great that you linked in, thanks. have a good one

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  7. This sounds VERY good...thanks.

    And...I just LOVE your blog....it is BEAUTIFUL.

    Love your book background.

    Stopping by from Carole's October Books I Loved List.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

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  8. NEW FOLLOWER...forgot that in the other post.


    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    http://silversolara.blogspot.com

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  9. Hi Elizabeth, thanks for your kind comments, I'm glad you like the book background, I put a lot of effort into the design and look of my blog, so glad you like it :-) And thanks so much for following.

    (Apologies for the delay, I'm overseas at the moment).

    I'm off to check out your blog.

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  10. With blogs like this around I don't even need website anymore.

    I can just visit here and see all the latest happenings in
    the world.

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  11. Have you ever thought about writing an ebook or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog based on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you
    share some stories/information. I know my viewers would appreciate your
    work. If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send
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  12. Great, thanks! What's your email address?

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Thanks for your comment, Carpe Librum!