Remind me, what deal did the Tsar’s mother make with the demon? She gave him her son in exchange for powers?
I got the impression that she was painted as more of a tragic character than flat out evil? Or am I mis-remembering?
Did anyone else note the lack of a prominent evil female character?
True. He looks at her adoringly after the demon leaves him–“he was gazing down at her with eyes shining jewel-green, as though she were the most beautiful thing in the world”–but in fact, they are really strangers to one another, as she has had barely a glimpse of who he really is. But isn’t that the way of a classic fairy tale? What did Sleeping Beauty or Snow White really know about their princes, in the end? (slight digression, but I always liked the way “Into the Woods” turned those stories on their heads)
Yeah, no idea why the czar’s mom made deal with the monster or what the deal was.
I thought the fire demon was female until the pronoun “he” was used. Then I wondered at my presumption–I think I spent too many years watching evil Disney queens wreak havoc!
Overall, the evil is minimal–Mirnatius is a victim and the Staryk king turns out to have a good heart. Evil is in the fire demon…and in the people, particularly those in Miryem’s hometown. A few reviewers of this novel wrote about the depiction of anti-semitism. Did that feel out of place to anyone? Miryem’s Jewish roots and traditions pulled me back to reality each time they were mentioned, as it seemed more like something from our world than theirs.
I thought I missed why the czar’s mother made the pact with the devil-
Here is an article about Novik discussing her themes of religious prejudice, her grandparents were Lithuanian Jews and the discrimination they endured as outsiders.
Re: depiction of mothers in fairy tales she says
https://www.waterstones.com/blog/the-interview-naomi-novik-on-spinning-silver
No, I didn’t find the anti-semitism out of place because the book felt more like a twist on an old world fairy tale versus the type of fantasy book that creates an entirely new world.
From the article linked above-
Novik speaking about antisemitism feeling ostracized
I ended up enjoying the book a lot more than I thought I would. It took me a while to “get into it,” so early on I figured I’d just have to slog through to the end. Happily that wasn’t the case.
IMO the different narrative voices were less than successful. Am I correct in remembering Stepon saying several times something like, “Me and so-and-so did such-and-such?” ( As with a couple of others here, I finished to book a while ago, so may be misremembering.) If so, my overall “rating” goes down a notch or two. This is one of those things that just drives me nuts!
I liked all three of the main female characters, Miryem, Irina and Wanda, because they were strong and had their sh_t together.
I am currently rereading the book. I was reading it while helping D1 and family move from FL to VA. I would read and reread pages every night because I wanted to finish, but I kept dozing off.
I agree with those who disliked the change of narrator. She used that little symbol when the narrator changed, but it would have been helpful to have a different symbol for each character.
I was with all my daughters at Thanksgiving. We were discussing our current book, and D3 said that she had read it and really liked it. She said that she liked Uprooted better, so I will make sure to read it.
I liked the book. It is a departure from my usual book. I found it a bit confusing for a while, but got the knack of it. I really did like Miryem the best. Her idea of removing the coins from the store room was brilliant!! When the Staryk king did not go ballistic over her having the coins removed, I started to get the idea that he was going to turn out as not evil.
I really enjoyed watching Wanda and her brothers learn what normal loving families are. I was especially touched when they were given the attic room at Miryem’s uncle’s house. The children were amazed by the comfort and Miryem’s mother was apologizing for the accommodations.
It was a good choice. I am very glad that I read it.
I’m still on hold for this book but really looking forward to it!
I enjoyed the book very much. Listening on audiobook it it often took a sentence or two to realise the narrator switch, I would just tap the 15 second back button a couple of times and relisten. I do find that I have no idea how Irina’s story ended after the demon was cast out. I know exactly where I was walking when the book ended, kind of a busy street area and I was stunned when it was over and that thank you for listening came on. I wanted another chapter.
Agreed! I was pumped up by Miryem’s idea to move the silver out of the storerooms. So clever!
In a similar vein, Irina’s slipping away at dusk through the mirror and managing to supply herself without notice.
As for favorite characters: Miriam and Irina … and the Staryk King. (Yeah, I know.)
Mirnatius’ mother may not be evil per se, but she doesn’t fall on the side of good. She promised her firstborn to Chernobog in order to be tsarina. (A Rumpelstiltskin touch).
And speaking of Chernobog. He’s in Neil Gaiman’s American Gods though somewhat better behaved. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chernobog
Too many switches in narrator for my reading pleasure.
Spinning Silver is my second book by Naomi Novik. Like Uprooted the magic confuses me. Someone explain why the the Staryk King needs gold so badly, please.
Yeah, I couldn’t understand the need for gold either—before or after finishing the book.
I was left with the impression that there was something about acquiring gold from the mortal world (or converting Staryk silver to gold) that stole some of the mortal world’s sunshine & warmth which in turn strengthened the cold & winter in the Staryk world.
I didn’t think too hard about these details, but I agree if you do, it’s not always clear.
I agree, the more gold he has, the colder & stronger the Staryk world.
Here’s the exact passage, for what it’s worth – admittedly not much. As @Midwest67 suggested, it’s best not to think too hard about the details:
I had a blast with this book, but honestly, typing out the above paragraph made it pretty clear to me why I rarely read fantasy. 8-}
@ignatius, thanks for the link on Chernobog. I had no idea. I thought that Novik had made up the name, slyly deriving it from a different sort of hot demon (Chernobyl). Obviously, I was wrong, but I’m giving myself points for creativity.
Thanks—somehow the explanations about the gold still makes less sense than much of the rest of the book, for me.
And this is why I don’t enjoy these “fantasy” books. Too much made up, too much requirement that one just swallow the author’s creation. Doesn’t match my logical, analytical self.