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Book Review: A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schiltz
Title: A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama
Author: Laura Amy Schiltz
Published: Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2006
Rating: 4 of 5
Page Count: 389
Total Page Count: 78,059
Text Number: 228
Read For: interest sparked by a review by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
penmage, borrowed from the library
Short Review: Adopted from an orphanage by the three elderly Hawthorne sisters, Maud believes that all of her dreams have come true. But when the sisters that Maud must remain hidden in the house and reveal that they have a use for her, Maud discovers that she has not quite found the perfect family that she was looking for. A Drowned Maiden's Hair is swift but not simple: the easy prose and mysterious plot draw the reader in, but it's thorny questions of honesty and searches for love that keep him thinking and feeling throughout the book. With transparent infodumps and a too-perfect resolution, the book isn't perfect—but it's addictive, enjoyable, and surprisingly tender. I recommend it.
I devoured A Drowned Maiden's Hair in one afternoon of quiet, contented reading. Schiltz's voice is unremarkable but incredibly easy to read, letting the read slip straight into the heart of the story. The plot begins as a mystery to hook the reader; once that mystery is revealed, it tends towards predictable—but spirited, bright Maud is beyond prediction, and her inner struggles are the true heart of the book. The conflict between her suspicions and her desire for love never tends towards maudlin; instead, it is believable and character-driven, bringing nuance to the morality-tale aspects and making Maud both empathetic and empowering.
The book is dragged down a bit by that predictable plot, and also by transparent infodumps (where characters relay their entire backstory) and by a too-swift, too-simple resolution. But these weaknesses are never prominent enough to become irritating, and Maud and some of the better supporting characters are strong enough to support the book despite them. A Drowned Maiden's Hair is a quick and enjoyable read filled unexpected but lovely emotion. Gently heartbreaking, empowering, and always clever, Maud and her personal journeys are not the most advanced, but they are still tender and true. Though not a book I need to read again, A Drowned Maiden's Hair is truly enjoyable—I recommend it.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.
Author: Laura Amy Schiltz
Published: Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2006
Rating: 4 of 5
Page Count: 389
Total Page Count: 78,059
Text Number: 228
Read For: interest sparked by a review by
penmage, borrowed from the libraryShort Review: Adopted from an orphanage by the three elderly Hawthorne sisters, Maud believes that all of her dreams have come true. But when the sisters that Maud must remain hidden in the house and reveal that they have a use for her, Maud discovers that she has not quite found the perfect family that she was looking for. A Drowned Maiden's Hair is swift but not simple: the easy prose and mysterious plot draw the reader in, but it's thorny questions of honesty and searches for love that keep him thinking and feeling throughout the book. With transparent infodumps and a too-perfect resolution, the book isn't perfect—but it's addictive, enjoyable, and surprisingly tender. I recommend it.
I devoured A Drowned Maiden's Hair in one afternoon of quiet, contented reading. Schiltz's voice is unremarkable but incredibly easy to read, letting the read slip straight into the heart of the story. The plot begins as a mystery to hook the reader; once that mystery is revealed, it tends towards predictable—but spirited, bright Maud is beyond prediction, and her inner struggles are the true heart of the book. The conflict between her suspicions and her desire for love never tends towards maudlin; instead, it is believable and character-driven, bringing nuance to the morality-tale aspects and making Maud both empathetic and empowering.
The book is dragged down a bit by that predictable plot, and also by transparent infodumps (where characters relay their entire backstory) and by a too-swift, too-simple resolution. But these weaknesses are never prominent enough to become irritating, and Maud and some of the better supporting characters are strong enough to support the book despite them. A Drowned Maiden's Hair is a quick and enjoyable read filled unexpected but lovely emotion. Gently heartbreaking, empowering, and always clever, Maud and her personal journeys are not the most advanced, but they are still tender and true. Though not a book I need to read again, A Drowned Maiden's Hair is truly enjoyable—I recommend it.
Review posted here on Amazon.com.