Fair Peril
Ratings3
Average rating2.7
15
Ratings3
Average rating2.7
The art of storytelling and the power of a mother’s love imbue this feminist fantasy novel—a contemporary riff on the tale of the frog prince Once upon a time there was a middle-aged woman whose husband dumped her the month after their twentieth anniversary . . . Divorced, overweight Buffy Murphy is not a happy camper. One April afternoon, she walks into the woods . . . and meets a talking bullfrog. He asks her to kiss him so he can transform back into his princely self. This being modern-day Pennsylvania, Buffy figures she’s better off with a talking amphibian than a cheating husband, so she takes him home. The fun really starts when her rebellious teenage daughter, Emily, kisses him. Suddenly, Emily and her handsome prince have vanished into the land of Fair Peril, an enchanted realm that can only be accessed through a portal in the local mall. Aided by a gay librarian named LeeVon and hindered by her fairy-godmother-in-law, Fay, Buffy shuttles back and forth between the real world and Fair Peril. Does Emily really want to be rescued, or does she just need someone to love her? It’s up to Buffy to figure out the key to reclaiming her daughter—and maybe herself, as well.
Reviews with the most likes.
This book is full of banter, fairy tale symbolism, and medieval insults. I found it very entertaining, even though there were pieces of the plot I did not understand/didn't quite agree with, such as . . .
Spoilers ahead!!
. . . I think the main character should have been two characters. One could have the divorce/daughter issues, and the other could have the frog/prince issues. They could be devoted roommates and storytelling partners, perhaps (which would make sense given the money issues Buffy faces!). Basically, I think the story would benefit from less of the “both mom and daughter love the frog” conflict . . . I get that the tension of protecting a child is part of the story, but the stress of everyone needing to be loved by the same people got a little Oedipal, I thought. But I appreciated the recurring dynamic of adult vs. child and motherly relationships. Perhaps LeeVon could be the second main character–his part in the story as it is was amusing, but felt kind of random, and he definitely deserved more.
