Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker

I was very impressed with this book. This is my first time reading a book by Maguire, who is known for his alternative versions of well-known fairy tales and other stories. I was looking for something to read for the holiday season that wasn't "expected" and this really fit the bill! It is very engaging and unique, pulling you into a world and time that feels imaginative though still "real" simultaneously. This is not an overly indulging fantasy book and is not a story you can read to your kids. It is more of a sophisticated memoir of a man's life journey and experience, that is special and filled with amazing moments, yet everyone he encounters sees the reality and the magic more than he does. It's very complex, slightly dark, but also hopeful and whimsical. It is very smartly written, full of beautiful language with some traditional German thrown-in to add authenticity to the story and dialogue. I love learning the origins of things, whether it's sayings, stories, etc. This is a satisfying narrative, as it gives you a peek behind the scenes of a life that led to the Nutcracker story. Highly recommend!!

I think people who love the Bear and the Nightingale will love this. I was a fan of his Oz series, but I didn't get into this one.This edition was gorgeous because the cover had was cut out.

If there are two people there you will find three opinions. I have read the reviews of this book not just here at Amazon but at other sites. My take away? People are brutal. This new work by Maguire is not for everyone, nor should it be. If you are hung up and starry eyed about Wicked, then pass on this one. However, if you want to be immersed in a rich, dark forest that gave birth to Hans Christian Anderson, The Brothers Grimm and German Romanticism,then this is the place for you. The book is so full of grief, longing and restrained feelings. They permeate every leaf and bower of the text. How does a novelist weave so seamlessly the worlds of 19th century Bavaria, Anton Mesmer and German Romantic painters and then situate them somewhere in the region of fairy tales? He researched deeply his subjects and wove them, with gorgeous prose, into a story of lost childhoods and lost imaginations. It may not be perfect. Yes, even I wanted a section or two to glide by. Yet, by the final few pages I knew something had been found within me; my own lost forest. I now am happy to say I will pay closer attention to it and to the dreams and hidden keys found in odd and seemingly unheard of places. My hat is off to you Mr. Maguire.

Much like the author’s book, Wicked, Hiddensee is a rich expansion of the Christmas story of the Nutcracker. It opens up the meaning of fables in general, as humans develop allegories for dangers to body and soul. Descriptions are detailed and insightful; and sexuality was honest, but tasteful. The end of the story grafted seamlessly onto the existing tale of the Nutcracker.

Definitely a interesting version of this well known nut cracker story.Some parts there me off. I felt like I was on drugs during parts that hit me out of no where. I would read it again.

I have only seen "The Nutcracker" performance once. I didn't like it at all. I thought it was silly and strange. I had never read about it. I have a friend who is NUTS about The Nutcracker and owns an amazing collection. I bought this book for her because of her love of everything Nutcracker. I decided to read a few pages to see what it was about. I was hooked.I enjoyed the story from beginning to end. I have a vague idea about what The Nutcracker is about from this book, but that play/ballet I saw...well, that Mother Ginger just threw me! Now I am very interested in learning more. This book is the backstory to The Nutcracker.This was a great book to read around Christmas. I hope my friend enjoys it as much as I did. I might have liked it more because I don't know the original story.

I love Gregory Maguire because whatever story he seems to create a sort-of prequel to, I never expect the direction in which he takes it, and this one is no exception. The Nutcracker is one of my favorite stories and to read about a satellite character like GodFather Drosselmeier, and his childhood, was just SO interesting!! Always a pleasure to read a Maguire original!!!

Good book but I am really tired of the subject of homosexuality being shoved in my face everywhere I turn. I am not homophobic, but this topic has been beaten to death on TV, in ads, movies and now books about fairy tales ( no pun intended).

Whilst, compared to other Gregory Maguire books such as Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Egg and Spoon and of course the renowned Wicked series, Hiddensee appears not to have much of a plot line to it, it is nevertheless an interesting take on the Nutcracker story. Maguire introduces us to a younger Drosselmeyer, before his encounters with the Staulbauhm family, implied but never explicitly said to maybe be the product of an incestuous relationship, who may or may not be bisexual, as he travels across Germany from the wilds of the forests to the great cities to the snowy hidden villages where he encounters many people who greatly affect his life. It’s the story of how the Nutcracker comes to be in his possession and of how a young boy was both physically and metaphorically reborn after an encounter with a falling tree! Not quite as good as Wicked but still worth reading, the kind of book that just makes you THINK.

While the book is in very good condition, I wasn't expecting it to have library stamps on the page edge and inside. If libraries sell books, there should be an additional stamp that confirms it was bought legitimately from them.Quick delivery though and value overall though. The book itself is a fun read. Definitely much less involved than the Wicked series.

This product arrived rapidly but is too damaged to give as a gift…..reason it was purchased!

Haven’t read yet but read others by this author and was very interesting

aún no lo he leído pero desde luego el estado del libro deja mucho que desear