The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden

· The Orphan's Tales Book 1 · Sold by Spectra
4.8
24 reviews
Ebook
496
Pages
Eligible

About this ebook

A Book of Wonders for Grown-Up Readers

Every once in a great while a book comes along that reminds us of the magic spell that stories can cast over us–to dazzle, entertain, and enlighten. Welcome to the Arabian Nights for our time–a lush and fantastical epic guaranteed to spirit you away from the very first page . . .

Secreted away in a garden, a lonely girl spins stories to warm a curious prince: peculiar feats and unspeakable fates that loop through each other and back again to meet in the tapestry of her voice. Inked on her eyelids, each twisting, tattooed tale is a piece in the puzzle of the girl’s own hidden history. And what tales she tells! Tales of shape-shifting witches and wild horsewomen, heron kings and beast princesses, snake gods, dog monks, and living stars–each story more strange and fantastic than the one that came before. From ill-tempered “mermaid” to fastidious Beast, nothing is ever quite what it seems in these ever-shifting tales–even, and especially, their teller. Adorned with illustrations by the legendary Michael Kaluta, Valente’s enchanting lyrical fantasy offers a breathtaking reinvention of the untold myths and dark fairy tales that shape our dreams. And just when you think you’ve come to the end, you realize the adventure has only begun….

Praise for In the Night Garden

“Cathrynne Valente weaves layer upon layer of marvels in her debut novel. In the Night Garden is a treat for all who love puzzle stories and the mystical language of talespinners.”—Carol Berg, author of Daughter of Ancients

“Fabulous talespinning in the tradition of story cycles such as The Arabian Nights. Lyrical, wildly imaginative and slyly humorous, Valente's prose possesses an irrepressible spirit.”—K. J. Bishop, author of The Etched City

“Astonishing work! Valente’s endless invention and mythic range are breathtaking. It’s as if she’s gone night-wandering, and plucked a hundred distant cultures out of the air to deliver their stories to us.”—Ellen Kushner, author of Thomas the Rhymer

“Refreshingly original in both style and form, In the Night Garden should delight lovers of myth and folklore.”—Juliet Marillier, author of the Sevenwaters trilogy

Ratings and reviews

4.8
24 reviews
A Google user
June 24, 2010
Oh! I can't hardly recall the last time a book has entranced me so! Absolutely mesmerizing!! Intricately plotted (so much so that it is hard for me to not start reading the sequel this very instant!) and lushly written, I am in awe of this book that truly was, as the back cover promoted it, a wondrous collection of fairy tales for adults. Not that there was much "adult" content - no more lewd or violent activities than appear in Grimm's or Andersen's fairy tales, but the deft use of vocabulary and references simply make this more appropriate for adults. They layering and connective layers of the stories may be more than a bit complex for young readers. I do wish that there was an audiobook available for these tales... I think that would be a real treat to listen to! And a film version would be really fantastic! Some of the drawings reminded me a bit of the artistic vision of Guillermo Del Toro... And really, the illustrations were an added bonus (though I am a little worried that they won't translate as well into the Kindle version of the sequel, since I couldn't wait for the physical copy to start reading!). I just adored this book!
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Redemption Frog
August 18, 2014
Savored every word in this beautifully written and powerfully imaginative fantastical adventure.
2 people found this review helpful
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Forest Handford
October 30, 2015
But this rocked!
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About the author

Catherynne M. Valente was born in the Pacific Northwest, grew up in California, and now lives in Ohio with her two dogs.

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