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Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson (view source)
Revision as of 14:24, 16 September 2013
, 14:24, 16 September 2013no edit summary
Ok. This book is going to need some careful contextualising! I'm giving ''Tiger Lily'' four Bookbag stars because I really liked it. And by really liked, I mean that it has subtle worldbuilding, a thoughtful, languorous pace, beautiful descriptive passages, lots of witty detail and some interesting playing around with narrative points of view. ''Tiger Lily'' is a book for the bookish reader who loves words and enjoys patience in storytelling. I'm one of those.
However, it is based on one of the most beloved children's books in the English language. And it does take some liberties with the original. Mostly, that Peter and Tiger Lily are set up in YA romance terms. They snog and everything! But also that Tink the jealous fairy is very sympathetic. And that Wendy is presented as merely a cipher: a Silly Girl pitted against Tiger Lily who, as a Strong Girl, is clearly Much Better. These things may irritate lovers of the original and I outline them as a warning to those who'd see them as disrespect. I don't mind the liberties but I am becoming increasingly irritated by Strong Girl characters. Not all girls are ''sugar and spice and everything nice'' but there are more alternatives than the equally two-dimensional kick-ass Strong Girls we're being given.
If these issues aren't a worry for you, then there's much to enjoy in ''Tiger Lily''. It's beautifully written and truly absorbing to read. The supporting cast is wonderful too - I defy you not to love the cross-dressing Tik Tok and the kindly Pine Sap or to gnash your teeth and Philip, the crashingly obnoxious Englishman. I thoroughly enjoyed it.