Winter Rose
by Patricia A. McKillip
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Book Summary Information
Author: Patricia A. McKillipEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2002-06-04
ISBN: 0441009344
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Ace Trade
Book Reviews of Winter Rose
Book Review: "I Bequeath All to the Woods..."
Summary: 5 Stars
The first time I read Patricia McKillip, I didn't get very far. The book was the Riddle-Master, and I was completely unprepared for her complex use of language. But there must have been something in her style that intrigued me, because I tracked down "Winter Rose" not long afterwards, and since then have been a big fan of all her work. Out of all Patricia McKillip's books (at least the ones I've read) "Winter Rose" is perhaps the most opaque. McKillip's language has always been eloquent and atmospheric, often obscuring both plot and characterization, but in this case the plot *itself* is also rather vague and ambiguous. Based on the ballad of Tam Lynn, this is a dreamy and mysterious tale of family secrets, unrequited love and the allure of faerie.
At the risk of making this book sound boring, there is little in the way of plot in "Winter Rose". Moving in and out of the domestic circle and what may or may not be lucid dreams, the unprepared reader might be surprised at how little action there is. Instead, "Winter Rose" is a mystery that must be unfurled - not just in the understanding of the central figure in the story (the stranger on his buttermilk horse), but in the protagonist's understanding of her own being.
Rois and Laurel Melior are sisters, and yet complete opposites. Whereas fair-headed Laurel is beautiful, sensible, kind-hearted and thoroughly domesticated, younger sister Rois is wild and free-spirited, liable to wander in the woods for hours at a time. They live with their father in a humble farmhouse, but while Laurel is engaged to marry her childhood sweetheart, Rois has no interest whatsoever in affairs of the heart. That is, until the day Corbet Lynn steps out of the shadows in order to reclaim his ancestral home and restore it to its former glory.
Right from the start Corbet causes a stir among the village. There are rumours and whispers surrounding his lineage: that Corbet's father killed his grandfather, and that with his dying breath, Nial Lynn cursed all future generations. Of course, what exactly this curse entails changes from storyteller to storyteller, but Rois can sense that there is more to the enigmatic Corbet than what he lets on in casual conversation. Though he seems to be a benevolent figure, his presence among them is soon causing trouble. Capturing the hearts of both sisters, Laurel begins to waste away (as did the girls' mother long ago) whilst Rois is drawn into his dangerous fey-like world in which a dangerous queen holds sway.
Touchingly, the bond between the sisters is never sacrificed, even when both are aware of each other's feelings for Corbet. Rois proves herself a pure and selfless heroine when she takes measures to save Corbet - partly for the sake of her sister's life, and with full knowledge that in doing so, she might not win his love in return.
As always, McKillip's style is filled with dense imagery and symbolism, perhaps more so in this book than any other. Her creation of winter is particularly evocative: I think it will make you feel a little chilly even when reading it on the warmest summer day! But as I said earlier, the plot of this story is borderline-incomprehensible. Rois travels in and out of dreams and hallucinations, and is never quite sure what is real and what isn't. Come the conclusion, neither is the reader. For the record, this is not a bad thing. I have no doubt that it was in fact McKillip's intention, and the mystery that it creates (in keeping with the theme of secrets and illusions) makes it thought-provoking as opposed to frustrating. At least, it did for me, and what with such dreamy prose throughout, it would be rather foolish to expect anything other than an ambiguous ending.
One minor pet peeve of mine was the name "Rois." Given the emphasis on roses throughout the story, I assumed that the name of the main character was meant to be pronounced "rose." But the odd spelling meant that I kept hearing it as "Royce," rhymes with "Joyce". After a while, it kinda got on my nerves. Couldn't the girl just be called "Rose"?
But that's (obviously) very minor. On the whole, this is one of McKillip's most successful novels; full of magic and mystery. Certainly not for everyone, but those who take the time to read it thoughtfully - and perhaps even more than once - will be amply rewarded.
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