Yellowcake is a collection of ten short stories by the Australian author, Margo Lanagan, who has won two Printz Honors in the past for her novel Tender Morsels and another short story collection, Black Juice. She has also won The World Fantasy award three times. I tell you this to make a point. Margo Lanagan can write and has quite a devoted following among her readers. Her books and stories, however, aren't for everyone. I fall into that latter camp.
I have a very difficult time with Lanagan's writing. When I read her works I feel as though I haven't been given to key to unlock the meanings. It is very odd since I consider myself a strong reader and I usually do not struggle with reading comprehension. But I am also a fast reader and that may be a problem for me and her books/stories. I may read so fast that needed details are skipped over. I'm not sure what it is. But of the ten stories presented in this collection I enjoyed and understood clearly five of them. Three of them I had a lot more difficulty reading for comprehension. And two of them I abandoned altogether. If I were taking a test, I'd only get 50%, a failing grade.
The four stories I liked were:
- "The Point of Roses"---A boy and his friends challenge another to guess the hidden objects. He does so but not in the way one would expect from a clairvoyant.
- "The Golden Shroud"---a twist on the Rapunzel fairy tale. I like this one a lot.
- "A Fine Magic"---a gentleman tries to gain the affection of two sisters through magic with disastrous results.
- "Ferryman"---The ferryman, with assistance from his daughter, assist the dead across the great river to the other side.
- "Into Clouds on High"--- a young boy witnesses his mother being elevated/called from on-high. He knows she must answer the call so agrees to help her by learning to do household tasks and helping his father. This was my favorite story in the book.
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30 books this Summer Reading Challenge
13 / 30 books. 43% done!
I've only tried to read one of her books, but I feel much the same as you do. I just don't get some of her stories. It seems they aren't finished -- there needs to be more.
ReplyDeleteWe included her novel The Brides of Rollrock Island on our 2013 Mock Printz reading list and I don't think a single student returned it expressing how much they liked it. The storyline was so compelling but we all just got tangled up in the nets and couldn't make our way out.
DeleteI won't be reading her then. I don't like working that hard for the meaning of a book or story.
ReplyDeleteI think you might enjoy the re-telling of the Rapunzel story, but that doesn't make it worth the purchase.
DeleteYa know, I have heard mixed things about Lanagan's stories. As you said, there's no disputing that she writes well, it's that not everyone actually likes her content and style. I need to check her out for myself and I think starting with this collection of short stories might be the perfect way! Thanks for the review, Anne!
ReplyDelete