Official Review: Art Fairy by Floras Athena

bjwagner · Post by **bjwagner** » 02 Mar 2020, 17:48

This sounds like a very much like a fairytale surrounded by music. I will be adding it to my TBR. I think my daughter would like this also and I will be reading it to her.

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 02 Mar 2020, 17:55

I enjoyed your explanation of the two parallel worlds the author created in the text. The sample pages were quite a challenge! You did a great job on your review and analysis of the teaching methods promoted in the book.

Katherine Smith · Post by **Katherine Smith** » 02 Mar 2020, 17:59

I cannot remember a book that I have come across that mixes fantasy and reality. I think that the rating that you gave was fair considering the issues with word usage. I think that the concept of the book is a great one and also very timely considering the College Admissions scandal. I agree with the author that we need to focus less on memorizing answers for exams and more on actual learning.

Kelsey Fulton · Post by **Kelsey Fulton** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:08

The sample was delightfully confusing and abstract at times. I actually quite enjoyed the heavy use of simile and metaphor, as it adds a mystical element to the book beyond the Art Fairy. The author makes a lot of good points, but I found I had to dig a little for them. Additionally, it is clear that the author is not a native English speaker so it is too bad they couldn’t get a better translator. Thanks for an insightful and honest review!

Stephanie Runyon · Post by **Stephanie Runyon** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:10

This sounds like an inspirational book. It sounds like the author was inspired to pursue artistic and creative talents. In the state I live in, the education system is poor due to the focus on sports like football and baseball. The arts and creative abilities are ignored and are beginning to be phased out and 3rd graders are being taught to cram for exams. Your review is quite interesting and raises a few points that I agree would make the book's undrlying message more profound.

ninski · Post by **ninski** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:13

Thanks for your review, I am really sorry but I don´t agree with your overall positive rating... I read the free sample and almost none of it made sense. The sentences were not sentences, just jumbles of random words. It´s almost like weird computer generated babble.
I agree that the social issues you mentioned such as extreme pressure on kids to perform well in exams in fear of parental reprisal are highly relevant and should indeed be condemned.

hmorgan90 · Post by **hmorgan90** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:21

I read the short preview of the book and I have to agree with your review. I did have a difficult time reading it but I love the overall theme of the book.

Snowflake · Post by **Snowflake** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:34

Thanks for your review. You make the book sound quite interesting. I do agree with Laura Lee’s comment that I quoted below though. It really does seem like the book needs a better translation.

Laura Lee wrote: ↑02 Mar 2020, 07:32 Your review is very kind. I agree that the theme of the book is outstanding, but I'm surprised no mention was made of how rough the language is. This clearly has been translated from another language, and quite imperfectly at that, making it difficult to follow in places. The premise of the book, though, is very good. It's too bad the author wasn't able to get a better translator because there are a lot of good points.

Odette Chace · Post by **Odette Chace** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:37

Thank you for your review.
While it makes sense to portray art and pursuing your passions as an escape to a world where dreams come true, portraying the real world as a bleak place where achieving your dreams is doomed to fail no matter how hard you try would not sit well with me. I hope the book doesn't portray life that way. Either way, I can't get past the rough writing.

tarafarah7 · Post by **tarafarah7** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:43

I love that today's BOTD draws awareness to the importance of the arts and creativity. One's education should be an exciting journey of self-discovery...a time to explore and learn our strengths, weaknesses, and passions. Unfortunately, we live in a world that places value on standardized tests and grades, which do nothing for the leaner except limit their potential. I've added this one to my WTR shelf. Thank you so much!

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes · Post by **ReyvrexQuestor Reyes** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:49

Was it Mark Twain who said his education started when he left school? I agree that artistic talents were often left unpursued because of school. That is when it comes to school offering the arbitrary education to land one a job, say, the common office jobs, or those of the professional careers. But there are instances where one may forego the formal schooling in favor of training as an apprentice for blue-collared jobs or artistic pursuits such as painting or music. But still, in any of these pursuits, I opine that it is advantageous to have first the basic schooling to learn the 3 r's. However, it was some funny tale that some artists enrolled in school were said to have just drawn and drawn in their notebooks and failed in their subjects when they were young. By the way, I only browsed from the review, I have not read the book yet, I might be off the mark. So pardon my opinion. Thanks for the review.

Cruisemomma · Post by **Cruisemomma** » 02 Mar 2020, 18:57

There is a progressive movement in my reality where parents are beginning to home train their kids. In fact, my youngest 3rd-grade teacher was homeschooled and brings something extra to her classroom that I am quite fascinated by. I would hope that more folks read this book and open their eyes to how we are losing the innate talents we all possess. Thanks for your review!

Daniel_ · Post by **Daniel_** » 02 Mar 2020, 19:02

It is saddening that Oris, a primary school kid, had to face troubles at home and at school. This is really detrimental for someone at his/her childhood stage; I just hope his dream came to reality.
Great review!