Questions About In the Night Garden (The Orphan's Tales, #1)

by Catherynne M. Valente (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (3)

Does this book payoff? I see that it is part of a trilogy so I assume there must be more to it than simply being a really clever way to produce a book of interwoven short stories, so I'm just wondering does it work? I enjoy many short story collections, but I'm going to be really bummed out if I get to the end of this book and that's all it turns out to really be.

Andrew They connect but by the time you get to the payoff you will only remember the beginning stories if you read it really fast, like over 3-4 days. If you…moreThey connect but by the time you get to the payoff you will only remember the beginning stories if you read it really fast, like over 3-4 days. If you read at a normal pace or have other things to do and only read this occasionally, it won't pay off and all the stories will probably just blend together in your mind. (At least that's how it happened for me.)(less)

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is it appropriate for young teens?

Becky Yes and no. I wouldn't personally be concerned about giving this to young teens because of subject matter, although I can see why others might be. Vio…moreYes and no. I wouldn't personally be concerned about giving this to young teens because of subject matter, although I can see why others might be. Violence, mutilation, sex, incest and rape all appear in the story, but it is not gratuitous or graphic. It helps that the writing style is so poetic and somewhat oblique.

I think that the themes of the book are great for young people, particularly that what is different or "monstrous" can be powerful and beautiful and that women have a lot more to do than just be princesses waiting on a prince.

I wouldn't recommend this book to teens however, unless they are very advanced readers. The dense writing style and complicated structure (a story within a story within a story within a story etc.) made it sometimes challenging for me, an adult, to follow. I imagine it might be frustrating or boring for readers who are not used to keeping track of numerous narrative threads and unusual structures.(less)

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I've read a few reviews and this sounds like something I might want to flip through for entertainment, not so much read seriously. How are the illustrations? Can't be a fairytale book without decent pictures.

Anne No, this book takes effort to read and follow the connections. But it is so worth it. The illustrations are black and white drawings. They remind me o…moreNo, this book takes effort to read and follow the connections. But it is so worth it. The illustrations are black and white drawings. They remind me of Grimm Brothers illustrations, but they didn't add anything to the book (for me). The verbal pictures are what makes this book so special.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

Is there going to be an audiobook version of this book? Thanks

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