Janet McNaughton

Inspired by the folklore of Newfoundland, itself a reinvention of various European traditions, author Janet McNaughton spins this original fairy-tale about Jack, the youngest and (seemingly) least of three sons. Kind-hearted and humble, he is dismissed as a fool by his own mother, and by his two older brothers, the eldest of whom (Tom) is very handsome, and the middle one (Bill) of whom is terribly clever. When Tom and Bill depart to seek their fortunes, and never return, it falls to Jack to show more seek them out, helping many creatures - some ants, a magical apple tree, and old woman by the side of the road, a local farmer - on his journey. His kindness and consideration is amply repaid, however, when he finds that he must perform three impossible tasks, in order to free a princess...

Many of the themes here will be familiar to folklore enthusiasts - the kindnesses shown to strangers (human, animal or arboreal) being rewarded, the three impossible tasks that the hero must perform, even the sorting of the wheat and the sand, with the aid of the ants - and will make Brave Jack and the Unicorn feel like an "old friend," while new elements (the unicorn!) will make it feel original and new. The combination of the two is very winsome, particularly for anyone (like me) who has a weakness for this sort of story. The acrylic illustrations by Susan Tooke are likewise appealing, despite what felt (at the beginning) like an unpromising cover image. I'd actually passed this title by, in a store, because the cover didn't appeal to me, so special thanks to my friend Gundula for reviewing it, and bringing it to my attention once again! It is definitely one that fairy-tale fans should pick up! show less

This novel shows an interesting and not entirely unbelievable vision of the future, after the world has been ruined due to pollution. People blaming everyone else, a government struggling to stay in power by fear and tight controls, and everyone, including young children, is put to work in some fashion.

McNaughton weaves an interesting future in her novel, and throws in a lot of little details that sometimes go missing in other YA novels, such as the issue of, well, clothing. In a world where show more technology is feared and tightly controlled, it's not as though people can just run down to a department store and grab a new sweater. As such, the presence of the Weavers' Guild, and the cultural meanings of things like knitting and other aspects of textile creation, are thrown into the forefront as seen as essential skills. Weavers are given high respect, and as such hold more than a small degree of power.

There's more than one story going on here, as it is with most good books. There's the story of Marella and her struggles to become a bio-indicator with Blay's help, and then there's the story of Blay trying to find out more about her past and just who she is. Side-by-side, the tale is a rich one that comes alive with ease, and draws you in.

The biggest shame about this book is that it's so short. I hear there's a sequel, and I suspect I'm going to have to track it down sooner rather than later, as I enjoyed this book so much. Definitely a recommend to fans of YA futuristic stories, and to those who enjoy hints of an interesting dystopia. show less

An original fairy tale, based on traditional Newfoundland and European folklore traditions, both the story and the illustrations featured in Brave Jack and the Unicorn are engaging and lovingly evocative. As rather a folklore purist, I was (at first) a bit suspicious of this tale, but the author never claims that the story is a traditional folktale, she clearly states that it is, indeed, an original fairy tale, albeit one based on traditional folk themes and tales (which are also show more acknowledged). Janet McNaughton has really done a wonderful job combining diverse folkloric elements into an exciting and entertaining story, with surprisingly little violence and eeriness. The illustrations by Susan Tooke are also quite magical; they are both colourful and bold, and certainly capture the atmosphere of place, of Newfoundland (I especially enjoyed little touches, like passing icebergs and the harbour dotted with fishing boats).

I only wish that Janet McNaughton had managed to add a more detailed author's note. While she has stated from where, in general, she obtained the traditions and ideas for this story, I would have liked for her to have mentioned any particular tales of which she had made use. However, this is just my scholarly side talking, it does in no way detract from the beauty of the story itself. show less

This historical young adult novel is one Tam Lin retelling that I couldn’t find when I was reading all the other Tam Lin retellings. It’s set in Scotland in 1162 and is about the sixteen year old daughter of a Norman nobleman. Jenny has always been given a lot of freedom but with her older sister Isabel in disgrace, having run away with a knight, it is decided that it is time to find Jenny a suitor.

I really liked all the details about medieval life. I was particularly interested in how show more the family and the church deal with Isabel, and Jenny’s experiences being courted by the king’s brother. I also liked the bond Jenny has with her siblings, the descriptions of Jenny riding in the forest and the realisations Jenny has about how her behaviour affects others.

But -- and maybe this shouldn’t be surprising after the tenor of my recent reviews -- I was not a fan of the romance. Frustratingly undeveloped. Although to be fair to Tam Lin, he’s miles better than Jenny’s royal suitor, and to be fair to Jenny, she is only sixteen. But still.

Not my favourite Tam Lin and not my favourite Tam Lin retelling.

Here, Jenny slowed La Rose down to a safer trot, for the roots of the great trees made dangerous traps for a horse on the forest roads. Jenny caught her breath as she looked up. Huge oak and ash trees towered so high, Jenny often felt as if she were at the bottom of a great, green sea. But now, these giant trees were just beginning to show their leaves. Bluebells flooded the forest floor, and the smaller trees that would go unnoticed in the summer were having their moment of glory. Hawthorne and cheery flowers blazed white in the sunlight that streamed through the mostly bare boughs of the larger trees. show less