The Magic Toyshop

(Virago Modern Classics)

(23)

| Paperback | 9780860681908

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The Magic Toyshop

Angela Carter's fiction has been described in the terms of many genres, from magic realism to Gothic and feminism. As a child she grew up surrounded by strong women and throughout her life she wrote about strong, characterful women in varying guises. ... (read full critics)

bookotron published on Tue, 14 Sep 2010

*** This comment contains spoilers! ***

I gave it two stars, instead of one, because of the intriguing, poetic images Angela Carter is often able to paint: the girl locked out, in the night, wearing a large bridal dress; the "red people" dancing and singing; Jonathon's one-themed mental life; the gothic atmosphere that permeates the whole ... (continue)

I gave it two stars, instead of one, because of the intriguing, poetic images Angela Carter is often able to paint: the girl locked out, in the night, wearing a large bridal dress; the "red people" dancing and singing; Jonathon's one-themed mental life; the gothic atmosphere that permeates the whole house.<br />However, the impression is that images is all this book is made of. The story is weak, with too many unnecessarily morbid details; a lot of background is hinted at (the children's other relatives, for instance) and then immediately left behind; the book ends leaving far too much unexplained (what about the hand in the cabinet? Why did Margaret "have to" live with uncle Philip to be able to be with Francie? And where did Jonathon end up?). All in all, quite disappointing.

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Ficie said on Jul 13, 2009 | Add your feedback