Deathless

Another wonderful novel by Catherynne Valente, I highly enjoyed the way she handled Russian folk tales (right down to the way that stories are told in three's) and infused it into a Soviet setting, amping up the fantastical elements in the process. The first half of the novel was especially solid in establishing all of these elements. There were elements that left me a little cold however such as the way that the Marya-Koschei-Ivan story played out. Otherwise, I enjoyed reading this novel. You could read my full review of the novel over at my blog: http://www.rulethewaves.net/blog/?p=5011 ( )

For quite some time I was planing to read something by Catherynne Valente. 'Deathless' was on a list of finalist Goodreads Choice Award of 2012 (genre fantasy) so I though to give it a try.

The book is heavily inspired from Russian and Slavic mythology and stories. I had a book of Russian fairy tales as a child, so the elements borrowed from there were familiar to me. But Slavic mythology was a big unknown, I shamefully admit. (because Serbs are one of the Slavic tribes) Luckily I had Google to help me find out how those new unknown creatures looked like.
I must admit it was refreshing, to not have the usual elements/creatures of fantasy novels but to explore something new.

The start was promising. I liked Valente's whimsical style of writing it was easy to read and added to the magical and mystical feeling of the book. The only thing that bothered me with her style were jumps in time. Sometimes the transition between chapters was not very smooth... But in total, very nice.

The book setting is Russia in the first half of the 20th century. Soviet union, Lenin, Communist party... I loved it how Valente implemented these elements and ideas into her mythical creatures & fantasy world. The house spirits have their committee, baba Yaga is now Comrade Yaga etc.

So why the two stars if everything is so good? Well, there were a lot of things in book that were hard for me to read or comprehend and ruined my enjoyment. The last 20% of book were almost torture to read but I determinedly read on because I hoped that the end will be worth it. Tough luck - it was not. :/

Some of the things that bothered me:
~ The idea of 'open' marriage - I cheat on you, you cheat on me and it is all ok.
~ BDSM scenes - Chains, whipping and torturing of loved ones is not my thing and it really felt weird reading about it in a book with fairy tale elements...
~ War, famine, death... - It got sadder and more depressing as the book progressed. ( )

This was another of my disappearing reviews. Deathless is a complex and beautiful novel, so that I'm sure a review so long after the fact can do nothing to capture it. I will say that it's well researched, unearthly, and full of Catherynne M. Valente's usual prose -- the sort of prose that I want to call poetic. I didn't understand/follow all of it, I do recall that much, but I was content to be along for the ride and see how it turned out.

My notes on it also indicate that my original review was long and involved. Alas. I must reread it sometime. ( )

I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. ( )

Oh no! Hoist on my own petard. Goodreads, you need to get your act together and allow multiple recommenders, please!!!*

























* Kris copped the cap for this one, but Helen did highlight it ages ago. The perils of impartiality.