Review; Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire

[Sally Balboa]

Personally I'm a huge Gregory Maguire fan, and this is the latest book that I've read from him. It did not live up to my expectations of Wicked and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. (Two of my favorite books.) Had I not read other Gregory Maguire books I probably would have liked this much more.

Mirror Mirror, is the retelling of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. Maguire has taken quite a bit of liberty with this story, he adds some historical characters as he sees fit (The Borgia family) and makes then key people in the story, so the story has quite a bit more intrigue in the sex and violence department then the story that we are all used too. It's an interesting twist on the dwarfs, who start out as rock creatures, and the Wicked Step-mother.

I felt very dissatisfied with the ending, I was expecting the typical they lived happily ever after and in a way they did, just a very odd happily ever after that wasn't very convincing. Snow White was also a bit of a one sided character with a huge lack of personality, I know she's supposed to come off as perfect because she's technically a Disney princess but I would have liked of seen something more then utter perfection.

As usual Gregory Maguire dazzles us with his talent at making a whole new world, with new creatures, laws, and political campaigns come to life. He makes it so real that you suspect that it might based on a real place somewhere.

[kasi33]

I agree with most everything that you wrote, with the exception of your expectation of a happy ending. I can understand your wanting a happy ending, but not expecting one. Gregory Maguire's other books didn't have a happy ending, so it would feel out of place in this context. I also think it is funny that you expected him to develop Snow White in a more real sense, but you also want a happy ending. I find that funny! I love that you get attached to your characters, and couldn't do so, with Snow White, in this story. I felt the same way, because I adored the development of Elphaba in "Wicked", and was expecting something similar! I have yet to read "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister", but I believe I will do so now that you mention it!
Thanks for the awesome review!

[Sally Balboa]

Thank you for reading it, and responding with your honest opinion.