Emily B. (bklvr3773) reviewed on 2/22/2010

Helpful Score: 9

A well-researched and gripping tale of family love and the lack thereof. The story of a woman and her two daughters, who have suffered all of their lives because of their mother's coldness and apparent lack of love for them. When their very loving father dies, his last wish is for his wife of 50 years, Anya, who originally came from Russia, to tell them the "real" story of the fairy tale she shared with them when they were children. The daughters are unwilling at first to interact with their mother, but eventually, they begin to listen to her story, which is the true story of her past.
The characters started out somewhat flat, and especially repetitive in their actions, which made it a bit difficult to get into the story at first. But soon, the "fairy tale" retold by Anya is so gripping, it's hard to put down.
This is a book that requires an entire box of tissues to get through, but it was a memorable story. I found it evokes "Away" by Amy Bloom. There are some similarities to the character's actions in both.

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