East -- Edith Pattou

Okay.  I'm really torn about this one.

I pretty much adored the Beauty and the Beast-ish first half.  I was so hooked that when I reached the end of the first half (the Cupid & Psyche part--is that the myth I'm thinking of?), a) I flipped to the end to make sure that everything would turn out okay (which I very rarely do--I usually have a modicum of self restraint) and b) I called the person who recommended it to me to double-check that there would, in fact, be a happy ending.

To back up a smidge, the book is a retelling of the Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, set in 16th century Norway.  The story is told by most of the primary characters--Rose (the heroine), the White Bear (he's actually an enchanted man), the Troll Queen who wants the enchanted man as her husband, Rose's brother, Neddy, and her father.  The different voices were very well done--I thought that the White Bear's voice (very short poems--kind of just pure emotion) was especially effective.

Don't read any further if you're worried about spoilers.

Okay.  Here's my problem.  The book starts off with someone finding a trunk full of the stuff from Rose's journey, including papers written by the different characters.  I'm guessing that we're supposed to assume that the book itself is made up of those papers, right?  But how the heck did the diary of the Troll Queen end up in the trunk?  It's impossible.  Her palace fell down and I'd assume that Rose & Charles were a little more concerned with getting themselves (and the other humans) out alive than walking around the disintegrating palace looking for souveners.  Right?  And what about the White Bear's chapters?  Did Charles write those later, or was he keeping a diary as a bear?  I guess that he could have been writing at night, while he was in human form.  But I still think that IT MAKES NO SENSE.  If she hadn't added that stinking prologue, I'd have liked the book a whole lot more.

Comments

[C.C.]

Sorry I missed you, did you actually think that even though I had my phone that it would be on? I totally forgot about the prologue. I'm hesitating to pass judgement on that book because it's my second favorite story of all time and I'm kind of pissed that she wrote it before me. I kept thinking it wasn't good enough in some very unspecific sort of way. Hohum. The writing just didn't do it for me. Also maybe I was expecting another Beauty, and who could do that? Not even Robin McKinley in three more attempts.
I'll try to call you back tonight (I'm still very anti-telephone after the summer of Latin students calling 100 times a day from 5 till one a.m.)

[leila]

Like I said, I really, really liked the first half. Really, really liked it.

The second half, though, just didn't work for me. I haven't figured out exactly why, though. Too much happens in too few pages, maybe? Or just too much traveling? The first half was so full of emotion and then the second half didn't feel emotional at all.

And the prologue. I hit the end of the book and I was so distracted with thinking how RETARDED the prologue made the book that I was just mad.

But I loved the first half.

[Heather]

I thought the book was very good. Not just the first half. But all of it. It was kind of dragged out in some part. But the adventure was neverending. I just couldnt put the book down. It had so many turns, which made it even better. I garauntee you will enjoy this book. Its the perfect adventure book.

[Ami]

I absolutely loved this story! The description of the Arctic Circle was beautifly vivid, and who doesn't love a good happy romantic ending? I loved the whole traditional fairy tale thing about it, especially the Beauty and the Beast and Cupid Myth part! It was just a fantastic and wonderful story!

[earthsprite]

ok, i don't know how many of you have read Once Upon A Winter's Night by Dennis L. McKiernan, but East is almost an exact compy of this story. I mean all Ms Pattou did was to change the names and a few small facts and bamm! new story. I read Once Upon A Winter's Night about three years before reading East. When i picked up this new book I was like "ok, cool new story." but as i got further into the book i had a funny feeling i had read the story before. It wasn't until my friend pointed out the similarites between the covers of the books that I relized that they were praticly the same book. I was very angered by this and strongly discourage people to read the book, for clearly Mr. McKiernan had the idea and rights to the story first.

whoever wrote that reveiw is just trying to find something to be mad about. If you're so worried about how that could be possible, then why the heck aren't you worring about how troll and people turning into bears is possible??? Complainer.

[wind-rose]

I think this is a fantastic story. I have ever read something so great before. Now that I read this book, I fall in love with traveling (even thouth that the condition dosen't allow me to travel so often, but well...)I admit that the part with Rose journeyed around the world bored me a little bit, but the rest of the story was really interesting. I reread the part where the author described
Rose's feelings for Charles, the prince, and I just couldn't get enough of it!
Actually, I recommend this book to my friends and I hope that everybody would enjoy it!

[Kat]

I absolutely LOVED this book. One of my all-time favorites. And in response to the person who said that Pattou was copying, if this is based off of a traditional fairy tale, then wouldn't there be lots of copies?
I mean, if you wanna look at it that way, then all versions are copies of the original tale. Each book varies by the voice of the author while they're retelling it.
So give her a break. It's a beautiful book; the kind where you wish you could've been along for the ride :)

[Yoshan]

this is one of my favourite books ever! i love fairytale like stories such as this. im sad that the little troll died :(
i was so happy with the ending that i never even remembered the prologue. now that u mention it though im like hmmm....

[meme]

i loveed that book so much and i can never put it down
thank u
meme

[C.J.]

This is my favoritest book, like, ever!!!! i got so lost in time and felt like i was so, like, there witnessing all the drama!!!!!! i loved it, like, so much i would, like, love to have ALL your books, like, sooooooooo bad!!!!!

[alexa]

i LOVE East is the best book in the world

[Jordan]

I hate East it is so stupid

[jackson edmeier]

i love the book East

[jackson edmeier]

East inlightened me to read book like that [even though it took me a month to read]

[Dana P]

HELP! Dear Ms. Edith, or anyone with her email of something,
I am doing a book report on East and need help. I am going to draw a map of the places the characters went, but I would like some help with exactly WHERE they went.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!
luv Dana P

[Dana P]

P.S. I meant to say "email OR something". Just to let you know. :)

[Checkers]

okay, my outlook on the proloug was that it was Rose going through her old stuff. I definatley see your point though.

[Emma]

I have read East so many times! I am an obsessive reader no matter what. I have like, what? 20 books on my top favorites list, and East is definitely somewhere near the top. I really like this book. In the prologue, I'm unsure exactly who is opening the chest. Is it supposed to be Rose? Or is it someone from the future? Another thing I don't get is where she (Edith) got the birth direction thing from. I think it's cool, but that's just weird me. I checked my direction and it turns out I'm East. What are East borns' characteristics? Again, does anyone know how to contact her? Email, phone number, facebook... Anything? Despite my questions, I love this book! I would definitely reccomend!