#the light princess

[macabr8y]

“I always thought you were like a star,” Zuko whispered around a vicious, aching pain that pounded through his bones and teeth. The cold would have him soon, the ice was already healing around him, but he needed Sokka to know. “You don’t need stars to love you back.”

We're back, baby! The last chapter of The Light Prince is here and it's got everything: Gods, curses, hypothermia, stars (real and metaphorical), stunning art by @drowthelynes, and it's got a happy ending to boot.

If you like fairy tales and Zukka, check out The Light Prince today!

[laurasimonsdaughter]

I’ve always thought Disney should adapt The Light Princess, it just lends itself to that kind of medium.

I agree that it would make a very good animated fairy tale movie! I didn't grow up knowing The Light Princess, but reading it as an adult it seems like a fun slightly more modern take on old fairy tale motifs. Curses, cures, princes in disguise, it has the lot!

The curse that is placed on the princess to be so "light of spirit" that she turns out "deprived of all gravity" has the double meaning that she never cries and is always lighthearted, but also that she is weightless and floats. That's obviously a very modern double meaning, but it's a very fairy tale way to have a curse work.

The quest to make the princess cry to cure her also feels very Right in a fairy tale context. Although in folktales it's usually a quest to make a princess laugh. I also appreciate that the first time the princess does cry, they are tears of relief for the prince not dying, not tears of fear or sorrow. Because not all "gravity" has to do with negative feelings. Besides being a lovely sentiment, it's also in line with fairy tale rules, because it's an unexpected way to meet the terms of the cure. (Think "the boy who set out to learn what fear was" who is never afraid of monsters but screams his head off when his wife puts an eel down the back of his shirt.)

The water related part of the story with the swimming and the lake draining by the evil aunt and the prince nearly drowning feel the most "literary fairy tale" to me. In a folktale there would likely be no explanation whatsoever about why the curse doesn't work in water and all the water in the kingdom stopping to flow might be completely unrelated to the evil aunt or was done not because the princess likes swimming but Just Because. But that's exactly why I think literary fairy tales are often easier to adapt than actual folktales, because they follow the rules of modern storytelling more closely ^^

[cultivating-wildflowers]

2024 Reading - October

I didn't set out to read quite so many eerie books this month, but about halfway through the month I gave up and leaned into the theme, partly because I was struggling to really focus on anything--as evidenced by the volume of books read via audio.

Total books: 11  |  New reads: 11  |   2024 TBR completed: 4 (0 DNF) / 33/36 total   |   2024 Reading Goal: 74/100

September | November

potential reading list from October 1st

#1 - The Republic of Pirates : Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down by Colin Woodard - 3/5 stars ('24 TBR, audio)

Well-organized as a historical account of a specific time period, and full of detail--perhaps too full at times. The author opens with the intention of focusing on three pirates (Blackbeard, Black Sam Bellamy, and a third whose name I've honestly forgotten) and one man opposed to them (Woodes Rogers). However, the sheer volume of names, dates, historical accounts, and side characters overwhelms any more focused narrative. Woodes Rogers hardly seemed to feature in most of the story, and where he was present, he didn't seem that important to proceedings. Blackbeard and Bellamy both have their time in the spotlight, but then it's back to the jumble with them.

As a sweeping look at the golden age of piracy and even everyday life in the early 18th century in much of the world, it's a decent account (and this is what I went into it seeking). If you want a biography of a specific pirate like Blackbeard or Black Sam or that other guy, or even of Woodes Rogers, it falls somewhat flat.

Note: Probably this would have been easier to follow in printed form; while the narrator for the audiobook is great, there're just so. many. lists. Names, dates, ships, cargoes, places, meetings.... So many.

#2 - Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace - 2/5 stars (audio)

This book has three things going for it: 1) Zombies and other supernatural creatures in Regency London; 2) Decent historical accuracy in Regency London; 3) Good pacing.

The negatives are largely rooted in the fact that this book probably thinks it has an enemies-to-lovers arc. It does not. What it has on one side is Wycliff, a whiny, self-important womanizer who is made out as brooding and damaged and only in need of the right woman to tame him. On the other hand, it has Hannah, a woman who is reasonably put off by Wycliff's attitude and lack of basic civility. They only manage to reconcile because she's desperate for male attention (tell me again how poor and plain and unloved you are, please, it's been a whole chapter since the last time) and he decides she's the only woman he's ever met who isn't shallow and prattling and unworthy of his respect as a gentleman.

This is not to say Hannah is blameless. Apart from her fixation on her status as an unmarriageable 22-year-old with good connections, she's just annoyingly inconsistent. One minute she's a wallflower who's just happy to be useful and the next she's the cleverest girl in all of London and no one can touch her.

And then there's the writing, wherein the readers are treated like idiots who can't put together a 10-piece puzzle of a picture of farm animals. All character reasoning was spelled out, all breaks in the murder investigation repeated ad nauseam so we didn't miss them. And any time marriage or men were mentioned, we were reminded that Hannah was going to die alone and unloved, but she was making the best of it. The final reveal about the murderer was the only real twist, and I'd argue that the narration had previously suggested the answer was practically impossible.

Read North and South for a better handling of whatever character dynamic this book tried to present. Read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies if you're here for the supernatural elements in Regency England. Don't read this book.

#3 - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - 4/5 stars ('24 TBR, audio)

Wharton's writing is breathtaking. The story itself, exploring the intricacies of high society is 1870's New York, was fascinating. No sympathy for Archer from me, naturally, but I still enjoyed the story as a whole.

#4 - Small Spaces by Katherine Arden - 4/5 stars ('24 TBR, audio)

Ooooo, this was much spookier than I was expected. I don't remember the last MG horror story that had me quietly stressing out like this. (I recommended it to Kenzie before I'd even finished.)

The narrator left much to be desired. Would not recommend the audiobook.

#5 - The Turn of the Screw by Henry James - 5/5 stars (audio)

Ahahahahaha what.

More like this: "Jane Eyre" and (probably; I don't remember it) "Wuthering Heights"; also the beginning (like the first half) reminded me, weirdly, of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. That...did not last.

#6 - The Light Princess by George MacDonald - 3/5 stars (audio)

When I added this short story to my list, I thought it was going to be an extended version of the fairy tale "Little Daylight" that was in At the Back of the North Wind. It's not, but it was still a solid fairy tale I could see myself reading to my nieces when they're older.

#7 - The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - 4/5 stars ('24 TBR)

So short I feel funny counting it but here we are.

And it's just as creepy as I was expecting.

#8 - The Stone Road by Trent Jamieson - 4/5 stars (audio)

This was gorgeous. Yes, it was helped by the Aussie narrator, but the story itself--the slow and vivid unveiling of their world, the dangers that abound, the quest to conquer those dangers, even the sorrow--was an absolute treat. It's a post-apocalyptic horror driven by hope! So, so easy to fall into. Perfect pacing and a fantastic narrative voice. I was not expecting to love this one like I did. The only reason it doesn't get five stars is because the characterization was a bit odd and felt inconsistent at places, especially with side characters; and a character was introduced very close to the end who didn't seem to serve any purpose at all.

There's also a related novel, actually released several years before The Stone Road, that features the aforementioned character who turns up near the end of this book. I gotta see if I can find a copy.

(Note: Some reviews say this is difficult to read on account of...creative grammatical choices, suggesting it needed polishing. I cannot confirm this.)

More like this: it felt like a blend of "Sabriel" and the Tiffany Aching series of Discworld novels, with a young student learning their dangerous and vital trade at the feet of a respected master. There's something like the inherited necromancy of Sabriel and something like the rich, marrow-deep instinctive magic of Tiffany. Jean isn't exactly like Tiffany or Sabriel in personality, though she is clever and stubborn. It also feels a little like the earlier Earthsea novels, that feeling of watching the legend of a great hero unfold.

#9 - Zero G by Dan Wells - 4/5 stars (audio)

I picked up this audiobook during a promotion on Audible years and years ago and remembered it recently while browsing for something to listen to. A little over 4 hours, MG in space, and a "Z" title? Why not?

Reviews say this is "Home Alone in space". Having never seen "Home Alone", I'll have to take their word for it. It was surprisingly fun either way, with a good balance of sci-fi, danger, and comedy. Definitely something I'd recommend to kids in the right audience age range.

More like this: It felt a bit like "The Last Cuentista" but leaning into the levity more than the horror that surrounds "Cuentista".

#10 - Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett - 4/5 stars

Good as ever. Granny's a Top Five Discworld character for me, and I love her dynamic with Nanny and Magrat.

And Greebo.

#11 - The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (audio) - 5/5 stars

Predictably chilling. I loved the build-up. We know the house is haunted. We know it is dangerous. But it's still terrifying.

DNF:

The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks - Fun concept but bland delivery. I was hoping for a smidge of a narrative throughline.

Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee - Admittedly a desperate attempt to get that "Z" title. Had potential until the MC's hormones took the wheel halfway through.

The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Haley Chewins - Fluffy writing full of weird metaphors and similes for every description. It bogged down the pacing big time.

Blindsight by Peter Watts - Picked a book at random from my TBR to listen to, got 15% of the way in, and decided I had no idea what was happening and no interest in continuing. Possibly this would have been easier to follow in print form? Confusing all around. Also very weird about autism.

The Lighthouse at the End of the World by Jules Verne, translated by William Butcher - I've read and enjoyed other works by Verne, but this one was an absolute slog. Not sure if it's down to the translation or the fact that the story was edited and published posthumously. I will say the edition I picked up would be a treat for someone wanting to come at this from more of a research angle. There are extensive notes about translation choices, notes Verne left in his manuscript, and a lot of "Verne said this in the text, but in the real world this makes absolutely no sense", which was lots of fun. (Note: This was my 40th DNF of the year....)

Currently Reading:

Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett - I'm about two-thirds of the way through this one. I tried so hard to finish it by the end of the month but didn't quite manage it.

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger - Just started this one and I'm loving it so far!

[starsfic]

Mickey and Co.: Under New Management: Original Characters

Here we go!

Abby, 14?: Abby is the middle child of the Caselotti family, newly adopted by Henri after she took over the company. She throws her whole heart into projects and adoring her new family in order to cover up the concern over the fact that she has no memory of her life before waking up in Henri's apartment. She can get a little anxious when things don't go to plan and tries too hard to be upbeat and positive, including when her feet, messed up because of the same accident that she lost her memory in, fail her and she has a bad pain day. Thankfully, the people around her are kind and more than willing to return the help she offers.

Henrietta: A few months ago, she was a divorced office worker trapped in an office cubicle in a company that was losing the magic that created her childhood. And then she became CEO and is determined to drag that childhood back, better than it was ever. She is fiercely protective of her kids and the toons and is more than willing to bite and be petty in order to make sure that changes are dragged through. Someone once asked for her manager and she delighted in telling them that she was the CEO.

Flora, 15: Flora is the eldest of the family, both eager to leave the nest and terrified of the state of the world. To hide from those concerns, Flora is throwing herself into her mom's latest projects, including welcoming Abby into the family and building up the park's hype online. She's not the best at being welcoming, but she's a bad bitch and she knows it.

Lena, 11: Lena is more than delighted at the fact that she has free access to Disneyland and gets a new sister, even if her sisters and mom are stressed and she's still adjusting to her parents being divorced. She's extremely sweet and caring and shares Henri's tendencies to bite.

Princess Skye: Skye is the main heroine of The Light Princess, cursed to not have gravity unless she's in water and unable to understand negative emotions. She loves to swim and adores her prince, but knows that she should feel guilty for putting Henri in this situation and...doesn't. She does take heart that there was at least just a little bit of love put in her movie to bring her and her prince to life.

Prince Orion: Orion is Skye's prince, who fell in love with her at first sight and was willing to drown in order to save her favorite lake. He's fiercely loyal towards Skye, including feeling her negative emotions. People judge him for the love at first sight, but Orion does not care.

Princess Makemnoit: Skye's aunt, she is the villain of The Light Princess and ends up being one of the main draws as "a return to good old fashion Disney villains." She has no regrets and enjoys watching the drama from the sidelines.

Odette: A missing character. An abandoned character. A broken character, left to dance until her feet bled. Someone took pity and made sure she would never remember.

[chaostheparrot]

I need someone other than me to have a special interest in fairy tales and fantasy like UGHHHHH

imagine The Light Princess but with

Lesbians

[friendrat]

Oh, what is the light princess about?

Oh goodness! The Light Princess is one of George MacDonald's fairy tales. If you haven't read any of these before, definitely do!

The story starts out with the king and queen being blessed with a baby. They are of course very excited, and begin planning the christening. In the excitement, the king forgets to invite his sister (who is a spinster and a bit of a black sheep). As these things go, she shows up anyway. And rather than apologizing for being forgetful, the king forgets that he didn't invite her. So as these things go, the princess gets cursed. Her curse is rather unique as it was that she would lose her gravity. This means both that she can't take anything seriously, and that she weighs nothing and could float away if not properly weighed down. (Honestly they should have sewn pockets of sand in her dresses like a weighted blanket...) Eventually, after floating baby highjinks and trying everything they can think of to fix her, she discovers the lake. Now the lake is very important because her curse was delivered through water, so being submerged in water also restores a small measure of her gravity. She becomes obsessed with the lake, spending all her time there. It's at the lake that she meets her prince, who teaches her what falling is like. (🥺 I'm so normal about this, I'm so normal about this....)

But of course her evil aunt can't leave them alone to be happy, because 20ish years of being miserably worried about his daughter isn't nearly enough punishment for her brother daring to forget to invite her to such an important family function, and so she drains the lake!

I'm going to stop there, because it's really good, and I want you to still have a reason to read it. It is a bit long for a fairy tale (it has chapters), but it's still very short, and you can easily finish reading it in one day.

[the-apocryphal-one]

Do you have a favorite fairy tale author? (Hans Christian Andersen, the Grimm brothers, etc.)

I have several!

The Grimm Brothers have such a wide variety you’re bound to find something you like, and many of them are classics. Briar Rose/Sleeping Beauty, The Frog Prince, Snowdrop/Snow White, Rapunzel, Cinderella, but also lesser-known ones like Jorinda and Joringel, the Golden Bird, the White Snake, and the Elves and their Shoemaker.

George MacDonald is another favorite. He’s written far less fairy tales than the brothers, but his are often longer—several are full novellas or short stories—richer in characters and themes, and have genuinely sweet romances. The Light Princess, Photogen and Nycteris, and Little Daylight are my top three and are on my comfort reads list.

Regina Doman’s The Fairy Tale Novels are a set of exactly six fairy-tale retellings set in the contemporary world, which stand out to me for three reasons: one, how ingeniously she translates some things into modern times (Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, for instance, becomes cyberthieves); two, the Catholic worldview; and three, the characters and relationships are so, so good.

Kate Stradling only has three retellings I’ve read (four if you count the Beowulf one, but I wasn’t as fond of that) and they’re all great. Brine and Bone is a piece of genius—the Little Mermaid from the other woman’s point of view—and Soot and Slipper had a great twist and genuinely left me unsure of the stepmother’s character for a while.

I don’t know if she really counts since she’s only done one retelling, but that retelling—Unseen Beauty—by Amity Thompson ruined all other Beauty and the Beast retellings for me, so that has to be worth something.

The Selfish Giant alone makes Oscar Wilde worth the rec. Tears man.

[gravitasmalfunction]

when i was a kid, every collection of books—large or small, public or private—had at least one small grubby volume called “fifty japanese fairy tales” “african folk tales” “who’s a-knockin at my door and other scary stories” “haunting mysteries of the sea” “golden threads: slavic fairy stories” “the unabridged grimm’s fairy tales,” and that book would contain at least one short story bizarre and haunting enough to permanently rewire your brain. and babey i was a fucking bloodhound hunting them down

[neptunium134]

Listening to my playlist on Amazon Music

Poseidon: After everything you've done, how will you sleep at night?

Odysseus: Next to my wife

Piper & Llewellyn: ONCE UPON A - ONCE A - ONCE UPON A TIME

[elyaqim]

☞ “The princess had just time to give one delighted shriek of laughter before the water closed over them,” illustration by Mary Hamilton Frye for “The Light Princess,” by George Mac Donald, Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know, 1915. (In the public domain.)

[verflares]

just how long is forever? // not long enough, with you

pssst. check this out on inprnt :]

[shellshooked]

to bury a goddess

[lychi-kinesis]

*SPOILERS FOR THE TOTK DRAGON QUEST*

I drew this as an excuse to draw Zelda in her new dress and then that never happened. ALSO THANK YOU @katydoodles FOR DOING THE BACKGROUNDS <3

[malusokay]

little things to feel softer

Being kind to mean people

Teas with honey and sleeping early

A fun collection of cute mugs from little antique stores

Pearls and dainty jewellery

Buying flowers for yourself or a loved one, not just on special occasions.

being kind just because you want to, with no hidden motives, just genuine kindness

Reading and writing poetry

Self-care nights and long bubble baths

Going to the farmer's market to buy fresh fruits

No phone in the morning

Paying attention to the little things: changing seasons, moon phases, blooming flowers, etc...

Calm hobbies like painting, knitting, reading, baking

Matcha and tea over coffee

Being kind to stray animals and befriending them

Sending handwritten letters to your friends

Try cooking from scratch, make some jam, maybe attempt a sourdough... (nara smith my queen)

Flower prints and sundresses

Lacy tops and light colours

Taking time to appreciate art, listen to music, visit museums and art exhibitions, go to concerts, the theatre, cinema, etc..

Wearing only natural fabrics

Vanilla scented EVERYTHING

not sure how I feel about the title, but this all leans into the "softer/calmer life" thing; you guys get me lol. <3

As always, please feel free to share your own suggestions and tips in the comments!! ♡

love ya ･:*₊‧౨ৎ

[uncharted-constellations]

~What i couldve been~

I was just gonna do the adult timeline zelda but im so enchanted by the idea of these two versions of the same character. People always talk about how link would be changed but never zelda.

[nenelonomh]

having boundaries with yourself

➼ having a bedtime

➼ deciding the minimum and maximum amount of time you can dedicate to work each week

➼ setting limits on the amount of screen time you have

➼ having an amount of time per week you move your body

➼ limiting your alcohol/highly processed food consumption

➼ keeping a budget

➼ deciding how often you will travel or go on vacation and sticking to it

➼ going to doctors and dentist appointments regularly

➼ paying bills on time

➼ doing work (school or not) on time

➼ wearing sunscreen when you go outside

(images from pinterest)