Paperback, 704 pages
English language
Published Aug. 29, 2006 by Overlook TP.
This isn't a book that you can just zip through in a couple sittings because of how episodic it is. Take each story of the 13 1/2 as they are, fairy tale lessons for grown-ups. Sometimes it can get a little carried away in its own absurdity, but Moers' charming prose remains consistent throughout.
Third abandoned book of 2011!
I didn't quite make it through the first 200 pages before throwing in the towel. Though Bluebear has some unusual experiences (Moer has an excellent imagination, I admit) he seems only to be buffeted along by other actors' whims; the protagonist observer. Our narrator has only to say 'this happened to me, this happened to me, and this happened to me.' Never 'I did this' or 'I responded thus.' And so it became monotonous.
I own to checking in on some other reviews to help me to decide whether to continue. None would inform me that some narrative arc would soon develop. A lot of charm in this book that could have used a strong editor to put it on the right path.
