Well Wished (1997)

Well Wished is lovely, like a fairytale. It's definitely pitched to a younger audience than Chime, though maybe not much younger than the audience for The Folk Keeper, but it's lovely anyway. I love the way it invokes other fairytales, other stories -- a bit of Heidi, I think, and The Snow Queen, and maybe even a touch of Diana Wynne Jones in the figure of the governess... But it all comes together into its own story. There are some gorgeous lines, and I love the background characters and basically the whole concept.

I don't like it as much as Chime, but I did love it and I wish I had someone to flail at about it. Franny Billingsley has rapidly shot to the top of the list of authors I'm keeping an eye out for. ( )

first line: "It was on a winter afternoon, just before Christmas, that Nuria finally gave up the idea of making a wish."

I enjoyed many aspects of this book -- certain scenes and images, the way the two little girls interact, &c. And the idea of a magical wishing well that warps people's wishes is an excellent, eerie basis for a book. (It's also a strong element in another children's novel, Verdigris Deep, which I loved.)

However, I felt that the book could have been fleshed out more, particularly with regard to the setting. According to the FAQ on Billingsley's website, the vagueness is intentional; unfortunately, I found it distracting. (To be fair, as a kid I don't think I'd've minded.)

Still, I'd be open to reading the author's second book, The Folk Keeper. ( )

I love, love, love this author! I think she only has 2 books out (this and The Folk Keeper), but I will be on the lookout for more from her in the future. The main character was so strong and wonderful, and it was such a magical story. ( )

http://www.lonelymountain.net/books/feb04.html#billingsleyww ( )