The Labyrinth [Hardcover]

I'm not a big reviewer, but that is also because I used to read for a living. You get sick of talking about books. But this one is different from the run of the mill and it deserves a review.

First let me say, (because this is a small press book) I was entirely satisfied and more with the physical copy itself. It is beautiful. You have nothing to worry about there.

now on to the STORY....

If you're interested in this book, you're not seeking a 'typical' read. Don't expect to learn about someone's terrible divorce or quarky family. This is not that kind of book. It is more experimental but I found that invitational, not offputting. I found myself itching to underline certain parts of it and to mark it up in general just so I remembered my thoughts as I read through it. In short: it is rather inspiring. You are guarenteed to have a strong opinion on the work.

The story is of a woman who has swallowed the Compass Rose and has been traveling through a Labyrinth filled with snapping, dangerous doors that threaten to take her off the true pathway. As you follow her, you are treated to glimpses of who she might have been at one time. These tangents are fascinating...the one that stands out in my mind the most is "I came of age during the plague years." Yet despite these tempting offshoots, I didn't feel cheated following the narrator. I was compelled to see her destination.

Valente uses a lot of strong images and sometimes s contrasting images to convey her vision of the Labyrinth and its inhabitants. Her style is distinct and intentional and her voice is very feminine. You will either love it or hate it, but she will never commit the crime of leaving you uncertain.

I checked out her website. This is her first book and she has some others in the pipeline. If you're at all interested in poetry I was quite impressed with her poetry...she has some of it up on her website.

I won't bother you with all my other personal opinions on the work...that's what the gold stars are for. :) But I won't lend out my copy because I have the feeling that I wouldn't get it back from my friends.

'nuff said.

I have finished The Labyrinth by Cathrynne M. Valente. I devoured it, like a Door. It was beautiful, a lyrical epic poem in prose. The language was amazing, it gave me a tingly feeling in my spine, and in my throat. I know some who might have thought it was excessive, but this story could only have been told in language such as that. An ordinary story demands ordinary language, and this is no ordinary story. It's an extraordinary journey through psychologically charged image after image.

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I highly recommend this book, for anyone who loves the English language, and the myriad of ways in which it can be used. I recommend this book for anyone who loves mythology, and I'm going right away to email my mythology professor to tell him he should read it, too. I recommend this book for anyone who loves things that are out of the ordinary, because this book is extraordinary.

I warn you, once you read this book, your perception of reality won't be the same again. Life will seem dull and grey compared to the vibrant visions and characters that Valente describes.

Hoo.

In the world of literature, there's a lot of the same- a lot of mediocrity, a lot of good, and a lot of bad. The fact is, however, that in all that diversity, there's an awful lot of uniformity. Books, no matter their quality, tend to be whatever they are in one of a limited number of ways. While the convenience of categorization and familiarity might be nice, sometimes it's nice to have a little departure. Soon after I recieved an advance copy of The Labyrinth for review, I realized that I was going to go on a little trip.

Enter The Labyrinth. There are some books whose language can evoke images that transcend mere vivid visuals- they can inspire waves of emotion and empathy with its protagonists that wash over you in unexpected, engrossing ways. It sets forth on an unconventional and perhaps daunting literary course, one that demonstrates a powerful command of language, as well as a rapt knowledge of the classics. The style is poetic but not poetry, written in cantos so beautifully yet succinctly constructed that they seem as the lost lyrics of an arcane epic song. Valente does so with such captivating skill that the book quickly becomes difficult to put down, if your first appraisal might tell you that this is not your cup of tea.

It tells the story of the Walker, once a woman, no longer so, on a surreal quest in the underworld-like Maze. There, the Walker encounters a host of the surreal- predatory Doors that consume those who enter, strange talking beasts, and odd helpers reminiscent of the archetype established by myths modern and ancient. The tale is told with refreshing femininity, but it is a savage, wild femininity that often disturbs as much as it enchants.

As you might have determined by now, the book is damned intense, and damned different. It is filled with surreal sights, sounds, and speeches; it distorts reality with every turn and unapologetically disorients the reader. With what becomes a trademark skill, however, Valente provides relief with her decidedly quirky sense of humor, inserting quixotic characters and dialogue that self-effacingly reminds us that the world of The Labyrinth is not entirely deeply meaningful and sweeping. She reminds us that she doesn't take herself too seriously, and in those moments, neither do we. It's appreciated.

Any reader who rigidly prefers conventional styles and plots of their chosen works will likely find The Labyrinth not to their liking, but I won't dissuade anyone who considers themselves a lover of literature from picking up this book. It is fantastic and dark, but in an age where classification is key, perhaps an author as truly different as Valente deserves a classification of her own.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 12 reviews  4.4 out of 5 stars