Double Feature: Enchanment by Orson Scott Card and The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

First up is Enchantment by Orson Scott Card. This was the book club selection for the library and not a bad book overall. Its a retelling of the Sleep Beauty fairy tale. Ivan, a young Jew from the Urkraine, finds a clearing in a forest near his uncle's farm when he is a child. In the clearing is a sleeping woman on a pedestal surrounded by a chasm with a bear for protection. Thinking he is dreaming he goes back home and his family immigrants to America. When he is grown he travels back to the place of his childhood and is drawn back to the clearing. Soon he finds himself being drawn to the sleeping woman and faces the bear. Before he knows what is going on he kisses the princess and is pulled into her world. What happens next is the story after happily ever after.

This retelling is interesting in that its not just rehashing the same story. Yes, there are similar elements but this is more of what happens after the kiss that wakes the princess. Ivan must help her face the evil witch and save her kingdom but to do that he must travel between his world and the princess's. This book also gives the reader a chance to think about what would happen if someone from our time was pulled back 100's of years or if someone was pulled forward. What issues would they face, not only with communication but learning how things are done?
Overall the story was good and I liked the characters. It is a very slow starting book but it does get better. Some parts drag out a little too long and there could be a little more thought into some of the conversations. If you want something that is historically accurate then this isn't the book but it is a fun read.

Next up is The Woman in Black by Susan Hill. This is a quick read. Not very long and it flows well so it doesn't take long to read. The story is about a young lawyer who is called to a small town in the moorlands of England. There is is asked to help settle the estate of Mrs. Drablow, who owned a house on Eel Marsh. Upon arriving in the town, Mr.Kipps is faced with hints of danger and warnings when he tells the town folks of his business. When he enters the home he finds himself being haunted by an evil that he cannot explain and he is soon pulled into the story of Mrs. Drablow and the tragic story of Eel Marsh.

The book was recently made into a movie starring Daniel Radcliffe. I have not seen the movie but have  spoken to someone who has and they were not impressed. I have to say I kind of feel that way about the book. It was very predictable and I felt that there could have been much more done with the story. Parts of the book were very one leveled and did not give much detail or go in depth at all. This book left a lot to be desired. Very disappointed.