Once Upon a Marigold
Publication Date: October 1st, 2002
272 pgs. (Hardcover)
"Marigold. Isn't that a pretty name? Marigold."
This book is about a very interesting young man named Christian who, one day, decided to run away from his parents and ended up befriending a troll named Edric (also known as Ed). Christian also has a knack for inventing things, though sometimes he doesn't know what he has invented. One day he sees (through a "bigger, better, telescope") the cursed princess Marigold. They strike up a friendship through p-mail (carrier pigeon mail) and eventually fall in love.
Unfortunately, for Marigold, there is an evil step-mother/queen who wants her out of the way so that she can poison the king and rule the land. Fortunately however, Christian and Ed are there to help. It is nothing but royal mayhem after that as they battle Olympia the evil queen.
Main Characters: Christian, Edric, Marigold and Olympia. The reason I only pick these four is because they are key to the central plot.
According to the cover of the book it is "part comedy, part love story, part everything-but-the-kitchen-sink; happily-ever-after turned upside down, inside out, and completely over the top!" I would actually have to agree with that assessment. There is a lot of everything in this non-traditional fairy tale. The plot is well thought out and the characters amusing and well defined. It is also a fairly easy read and very funny to boot.
A few things I found interesting about the book:
- There are two dogs in the book, belonging to Edric the Troll. Their names are Beelzebub (Bub) and Hecate (Cate), the names having roots in both Greek mythology and Christian tradition. Beelzebub being another name for the Devil in Christianity and Hecate being the Greek goddess of Magic and Crossroads.
- P-mail is hysterically similar to e-mail except with pigeons.
- Even the Tooth Fairy shows up. And she is named Queen Mab after Shakespeare's queen of the fairies from Mercutio's famous "Queen Mab" speech in Romeo and Juliet.
- Edric the Troll can never get his cliches and phrases right. Ever.
"Once Upon a Marigold" is one of the most well-rounded fairy tale stories I've read. It is funny, but has its serious moments all without ruining the mood entirely. It was actually suggested to me by one of my cousins who worked at a book store. She asked me to read the store copy of the book and let her know what I thought of it. I ended up devouring it and gave a very positive review. I still feel the same way about it: a whimsical, well-rounded story with a plot that never grows old.
For those of you who might have already read this book Jean Ferris wrote two sequels to it called "Twice Upon a Marigold" and "Thrice Upon a Marigold." If you are like me and love reading sequels, I suggest you go to your local library and look them up.
I would rate this book an 8 on my scale, being a really good read.
This book is rated PG for some minor violence.
It is not suggested for strict Christians who are against magic, Non-fairy tale lovers or cats.
It is suggested to anyone who loves a good fairy tale or still has a child like imagination.
Comments
Post a Comment