This retelling of the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty starts with a young boy whose parents are making arrangements to flee the communist Soviet Union. Prior to their escape, they stay with a cousin in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, where ten-year-old Ivan stumbles across a hidden chasm in the forest. It is here that he sees (or thinks he sees) the image of a woman lying on a pedestal covered by leaves and guarded by a monster. This image haunts him throughout his life, and eventually as a grad student working on his dissertation, draws him back to the chasm in the woods.
This was a wonderfully imaginative retelling blending classic lore with historical details. The characters are beautifully drawn and the plot is fresh and flows seamlessly between modern and medieval times. This is a great pick for anyone who loves a good story with a little magic.
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