Tender Morsels

OK. I wanted to like this. I came into this siding with the book, because I was all riled up about it getting kicked off of Bitch Magazine's list of YA books for feminist readers, on account of, uh, all the rape. And I'm not like a huge fan of rape or anything, but I think it's a topic that can be handled well in YA books (see: [b:Speak 439288 Speak Laurie Halse Anderson http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298540261s/439288.jpg 118521]). But my main problem with this book was that it was so boring and slow-paced! It was over 400 pages long and I feel like this story could have been told in 200 pages. Like, perhaps the rape (especially the book's ending) was problematic. But mainly, the parts where the protagonists are in their safe, magical heaven are boring and go on for way too long. I get it, I get it, you have to choose between your safe magical world where nothing happens, or the dangerous real world where you can have true friendships but also have to face danger. But to make that point I do not think there needed to be quite so many chapters in the super boring magical world. I mean whatever. I give props to her for the unique voice of the book, and I even agree with the book's thesis. But I did not enjoy the experience of reading this book.Oh and I bitched about this book on Twitter and Margo Lanagan retweeted it and made me feel bad about myself. But then she replied nicely to my apology. I still feel kind of tense about it. Is she on GoodReads?

I cannot express how much I loved this book. Utterly believable fairy tale fantasy, mature topics very thoughtfully and realistically addressed, and a beautiful story about sisters and mothers that will touch your heart with deft magic. Absolutely wonderful. A contemporary classic, and a new favorite.