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Uprooted

Naomi Novik

Start date: December 21, 2017

Finish date: January 14, 2017

Discussion: Book Discussions

Discussion leader: Andrea

Why we're reading this: Group Contemporary novel discussion December 2017
Nebula Award for Best Novel 2015.
Hugo Award nominee for …more
[close] Group Contemporary novel discussion December 2017
Nebula Award for Best Novel 2015.
Hugo Award nominee for Best novel of 2015.

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What Members Thought

Mar 22, 2016 Traci Loudin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, own, 2016-read, book-club, female-authors

I'm having the biggest withdrawals I've had in forever from a book. I'll write more later, but for now, I'll just say the NPR quote on the cover is spot-on: grab this book and be sure to clear your schedule. I could barely focus on work at all on Friday, since I was dumb enough to start reading it on a Thursday. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Aug 21, 2015 Rob Thompson rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, audio, fantasy, 2015-challenge

Uprooted, written by Naomi Novik, is a subverted fairy tale. Despite the familiarity of this story structure, Novik makes this her own. Uprooted could sit next to the works of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson. Its a new story consisting of well-known parts.

The use of the first person throughout gives the reader access to the thoughts and motivations behind the main protagonist, trainee witch, Agnieszka. Annoyance, rage, fury and resentment fuels the plot. These emotions between th Uprooted, written by Naomi Novik, is a subverted fairy tale. Despite the familiarity of this story structure, Novik makes this her own. Uprooted could sit next to the works of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson. Its a new story consisting of well-known parts.

The use of the first person throughout gives the reader access to the thoughts and motivations behind the main protagonist, trainee witch, Agnieszka. Annoyance, rage, fury and resentment fuels the plot. These emotions between the characters propel the plot forward. The noticeable difference is Agniezka's friendship with Kasia. This was the central relationship for me; full of honesty. However, I didn't really care for it.

Novik uses a malevolent Haunted Forest of European Lore as the main source of evil and conflict. The world building surrounding this was realistic and well-paced; there are a minimum of locations used. Each character which is introduced has a purpose. Novik avoids the lazy, just use this “plot solving” spell, to escape from difficult situations. The magic which used at the start of the book is woven into the world-building and provides a constraint about what is magically possible.

A criticism is Agnieszka's swift transition to a powerful witch. This is indicative of Uprooted being a standalone book. Had Novik written a trilogy then at least the first 10 chapters would have described Agnieszka's apprenticeship. Her mentor, The Dragon, moans at her and teaches her little. When she arrives at his home she couldn’t make herself a dress. Shortly afterwards she’s casting complex spells; almost no learning curve at all. I would have expected that there would be more education?

So in summary, this is an intelligent coming-of-age fairy tale adventure. The first half of the book is better than the second, unless you "get" Agniezka's friendship with Kasia. If you do then you'll love it all. Novik blends the familiar with the unusual and initially creates a page turning trilogy packed into one novel as a result. The second half runs out of steam and the ending is somewhat cheesy (view spoiler). ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 18, 2016 Aleix Dorca rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

Uff! I must be getting old. I do not understand how this world works anymore.

Did this book really win the Nebula? That's it for me, I'm afraid. Too tired to even start complaining about what I did not like. Only the first couple of chapters had some interest. From there, it was all downhill, and down, and down, and fast...

Flat, poor, plotless and mostly boring. I really forced myself to end it. Not my cup'o'tea at all.

Now for something completely different, please. ...more

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