tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3738174603029644797.post532872928153323263..comments2024-03-22T15:53:38.589-07:00Comments on Kate of Mind: Andre Norton's WITCH WORLDKate Sherrodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08706419613939420574noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3738174603029644797.post-72970858255251508022013-10-22T01:10:25.361-07:002013-10-22T01:10:25.361-07:00I more or less think the same as you. Andre Norton...I more or less think the same as you. Andre Norton was never one of my favorite authors because her work adheres too much to typical conventions of the fantasy genre (and I understand she was one of the seminal authors who established these conventions). However, if you like romantic fantasy at all, please try Year of the Unicorn. This is the novel that changed my mind about Andre Norton. Startlingly unusual, it breaks all genre stereotypes then and now. Plot-wise, it is unique, often toeing the line between wonder and nightmare in a way that modern writers have forgotten. The best comparison I can draw is to medieval literature, such as the lais of Marie de France. The atmosphere is sublime in the gothic sense. It's still an adventure story of sorts, but if however you don't like girly fantasy as much as I do, then maybe this won't be your cup of tea. <br /><br />I just had to recommend this title to you because reading your review of Witch World, I felt like we were on the same "page" where this book is concerned, and yet Unicorn really moved me in a way no other Norton title has. I will continue trying out her work for several reasons: 1) I have great respect for her as such a long-lived and prolific writer, and want to know what I'm missing; 2) I keep thinking at least SOME of her books have to be amazing since she's so popular, and feel a little guilty that I'm not enjoying them as much as her legions of fans do; 3) I need another Year of the Unicorn. I'm not ready to give up on Andre Norton just yet. I have to believe that an author who wrote over 100 novels must have at least a few other titles in that style. I can't stand the thought of her being a one-hit wonder, really. :P<br /><br />~Marysia Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com