Tender Morsels
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Product Description
Review
'a beautiful but very unsettling novel' --Fortean Times
Book Description
Published for adults by Cape simultaneously with the Young Adult edition by David Fickling Books, Tender Morsels is a dark and vivid novel from an author acclaimed for the fearless range of her imagination, the emotional intensity of her stories and the virtuosity of her writing.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
TENDER MORSELS is a loosely based re-telling of the fairytale, "Snow White and Rose Red". But even if you are not aware of the original tale, you can still read this novel and enjoy it.
The story follows Liga. When we first meet her, she is a young girl in her teens. Due to her mother's earlier death, she is alone with her brutish father. He is a true monster. He abuses Liga in the worst possible way, resulting in Liga giving birth to a child who is also his. Not long after this, Liga is then brutally raped by a gang of town boys. Again, she bears a child.
Her two daughters, Branza and Urdda, are striking in their differences. They are like two opposite poles - one fair and quiet, the other dark and willful.
Through Liga's utter sorrow and torment which the world has thrown on her, she is granted the chance to live in her own version of heaven, where nothing can harm either her or her daughters. But, as time passes, the divide between the two worlds becomes less stable, threatening all that Liga has created for her small family.
That is a brief synopsis. What is really at the heart of this book is the idea that brutality and beauty can live side by side. In some ways, TENDER MORSELS seems to suggest that it has to - that the real world is never going to be a place where no dangers lie. In this respect, Lanagan has done a tremendous job in creating such an idea, such a world. Her prose reflects this notion; there are times when the violence of the book is diturbing and extremely uncomfortable reading, but there are also times when the prose reads almost like poetry. Although deprivation can be found within these pages, there is also magic and hope.
This is one of the best re-tellings of a fairytale that I have read in a long time. However, you really do need to persevere with it - the first 50 or so pages are pretty horrible, and the language of the towns people can be difficult to get used to, but if you stick with it, you should be rewarded.
The story follows Liga. When we first meet her, she is a young girl in her teens. Due to her mother's earlier death, she is alone with her brutish father. He is a true monster. He abuses Liga in the worst possible way, resulting in Liga giving birth to a child who is also his. Not long after this, Liga is then brutally raped by a gang of town boys. Again, she bears a child.
Her two daughters, Branza and Urdda, are striking in their differences. They are like two opposite poles - one fair and quiet, the other dark and willful.
Through Liga's utter sorrow and torment which the world has thrown on her, she is granted the chance to live in her own version of heaven, where nothing can harm either her or her daughters. But, as time passes, the divide between the two worlds becomes less stable, threatening all that Liga has created for her small family.
That is a brief synopsis. What is really at the heart of this book is the idea that brutality and beauty can live side by side. In some ways, TENDER MORSELS seems to suggest that it has to - that the real world is never going to be a place where no dangers lie. In this respect, Lanagan has done a tremendous job in creating such an idea, such a world. Her prose reflects this notion; there are times when the violence of the book is diturbing and extremely uncomfortable reading, but there are also times when the prose reads almost like poetry. Although deprivation can be found within these pages, there is also magic and hope.
This is one of the best re-tellings of a fairytale that I have read in a long time. However, you really do need to persevere with it - the first 50 or so pages are pretty horrible, and the language of the towns people can be difficult to get used to, but if you stick with it, you should be rewarded.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Although it's based on the story of Rose Red and Snow White, this is not a twee fairy tale for younger readers. It's tough and thought-provoking, and doesn't spare the brutality. But it's also a gripping read which allows you to completely believe in a world where an abused girl can escape to an alternative reality, and where men can become bears.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
For a teen book the content is pretty dark yet through the veil of the otherside it's a story of empowerment that will inspire others. What Margo does extremely well is bring the characters to life within the book that will speak to many about the message of hope against the darkness of mankinds souls. Well written, inspirational and a tale that whilst I'd only pass on to the older end of the teen market due to content is definitely something that should be read by all.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dark and Gripping Fairytale
Lanagan's Tender Morsels is a quite extraordinary novel. Part fairytale, part fable and part social commentary, this book manages to appal and appeal in equal measure. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Joanne
A bit indigestible
A book this size would usually take me about a week to read but this one dragged out for four weeks. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pensato
`And now you have stepped out of the dream, all tall and real.'
Remember the lonely hut at the edge of a dark wood? Some will be familiar with the `The Ungrateful Dwarf' by Caroline Stahl which was reworked by the Brothers Grimm into `Snow... Read more
Published 11 months ago by J. Cameron-Smith
My book of the year - no question
This was recommended by a friend and I came to it blind, not having read any reviews or any of Lanagan's short stories. Confess I was totally bowled over. Read more
Published 20 months ago by J Trelithen
One dark fairytale!
What a fantastic story! Margo Lanagan has weaved together a fantasy that leaves you wanting more.
It took a couple of pages to get into the story, but once there I was... Read more
It took a couple of pages to get into the story, but once there I was... Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. Nolan
Outstanding
I rushed home to finish this book. Dark, clever and beautifully written. A must for bookish girls over 12 who want something like Twilight but with more substance.
Published 22 months ago by H.P.
A book I couldn't put down!
Here is the story of Liga, an only child who suffers a great deal of physical and emotional pain after the death of her mother. Read more
Published on 2 Jun 2010 by Intrepid Newbie
Marmite on ginger bread.
If you think you are too old for fairy tales you should read this. If your heart is cracked this book will rub the wound but their is comfort in knowing that someone can articulate... Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2009 by C. L. Shaw
Fantastic achievement for a first novel
What a fantastic achievement for a first novel!
Reservations:
The promise of originality in the dark voice of the raw and visceral first few chapters is never... Read more
Reservations:
The promise of originality in the dark voice of the raw and visceral first few chapters is never... Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2009 by Henderson Bell
Superb
A beautifully written novel. A must read. The characters and use of language are well researched.
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by M. T. L. Vine
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