Snow White and Rose Red

Title: Snow White and Rose Red

Series: The Fairy Tale Series created by Terri Windling

Year: 1989

Author: Patricia Wrede

Summary: Wrede's romantic and charming retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale is the fourth in this series. In the village of Mortlak, near the river Thames, during the reign of Elizabeth I, live the Widow Arden and her two daughters, Blanche and Rosamund. The widow, who supports her family by selling herbs and making healing potions, lives in fear of being accused of witchcraft. Her daughters gather the herbs she needs, sometimes crossing into the realm of Faerie, one of whose borders lies in the forest nearby. 

Also residing in Mortlak is the real-life Doctor Dee, astrologer to the Queen, who with his friend Edward Kelly seeks to harness the magic of Faerie. Their efforts turn Hugh, one of the half-human sons of the queen of Faerie, into a bear. With the aid of the widow and her daughters, John, the elder Faerie prince, tries to disenchant his brother, who has crossed over to the mortal world. John is initially thwarted in his efforts by Madini, head of a faction in Faerie that seeks complete separation from the mortal domain. In putting her twist on the classic tale, Wrede uses language appropriate to the period and nicely evokes both medieval England and a magic land. 

Review: This review was written originally for publication on Fairy Tale Central. Click here to read the full review.

The tale of Snow White and Rose Red, I fear, does not have nearly the fanbase that it should. As one of the lesser-known fairytales, it has far fewer retellings than the popular tales of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc. Even the similarly-named Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is more popular — a fact I consider completely unfair. This tale focuses much on the bond between sisters, and has a good bit of adventure and mystery to boot.

Overall, I really enjoyed Wrede’s retelling. Rosamund and Blanche are two very likable heroines, each with a distinct personality. Blanche, the elder, is quiet and thoughtful, while her younger sister is more apt to jump into action or lose her temper. They are super close, do a lot together, and would do anything for each other. I think, because I am one of five sisters, the predominant theme of sisterhood in this book really came out strongly for me. (I’m always up for a good sibling book; the more, the better.) Yes, Rose and Blanche aren’t perfect, but there’s so much in them that you immediately fall in love with and can’t help rooting for them.

Advisory: Most of the caution I have to say on this book concerns the magical/witchcrafts aspects of the tale. There is also one scene in which a man is described as naked and quickly is given a blanket, but it’s not dwelt on or described at all. Other than that, I found it very clean.

The Widow, Dee, and Kelly all practice elements of witchcraft. It is not super clear why the Widow knows what she knows, other than that she’s familiar with Faerie and how to use herbs and chants to accomplish things. She doesn’t practice this sort of thing very often, and usually only because she must. Dee and Kelly, on the other hand, are intent on capturing the power of Faerie to make their own gold. With all three, though (and later as other characters begin to join them), practice within scenes of the books, and their spells are sometimes very specific. In addition to the Latin phrasing, we are given the names of herbs and other things that they use in their spells. This magic mimics some of what I’ve read in Jessica Day George novels (after the fashion of how the time period viewed supernatural activity), but it’s more than just using a silver cross or holy water. Typically, this wouldn’t bother too many people, but I was bothered by how repeatable some of the spells would have been in the real world (with the exception discussed below). For this reason, I must mention it.

The Faerie realm is clearly fantasy and of Wrede’s own making. The power that the Faerie creatures use is completely their own, and in the line of the magic or talent that Tolkien describes his race of elves using. It is compatible with the mortals’ magic, though, which makes some of the sorcerers’ spells completely fantastical.

Again, click here to read the full review. (And be sure to check out all the other cool fairytale stuff on Fairy Tale Central!)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars