A few weeks back I shared with you my review of Ash and I'm excited to be able to share an interview with you today with the author, Malinda Lo! Yesterday Malinda stopped by The Story Siren and tomorrow she will be at The Book Blogger!What drew you to fairy tale retellings? And why Cinderella specifically?
I enjoyed fairy tales as a child; I think many children do. That interest just continued as I grew up. As a writer, I’m interested in fairy tales because they are so ripe with meaning, and they can be interpreted in countless different ways.
I loved Cinderella when I was a kid because I identified with her, sort of. I’m sure many of us, as kids, feel like our parents are making us do things we don’t want to do. Fairy tales take those everyday experiences and magnify them into something hugely important. And I have always been a romantic, so that aspect of the story drew me in, too.
What is your favorite fairy tale and why?
Well, Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale. I’m a sucker for a good love story. And I really want to go to a royal ball!
What book is most memorable to you that you have read in the last year and why?
I’ve read so many great books in the last year that it’s really hard to pick just one! So I’ll tell you about a book I read fairly recently that comes out next month: Fire by Kristin Cashore. I loved Graceling (and I tend to mention Graceling whenever anybody asks me this kind of question), but I think Fire is an even more sophisticated novel. I was impressed by how Cashore reinterpreted many real-world issues through the genre of fantasy in Fire.
I thought it was a political novel, and a social commentary, and an argument for, well, lots of things I believe in. I also must admit I enjoyed the love story in Fire much more than the romance in Graceling. I’m not sure if most readers will agree with me on that! I thought it was subtle and thoughtful and heartfelt. It’s a great book.
Check out this map that Malinda drew of Ash's world! I wish I had this when I was reading the book!
Here are a few links that might be of interest:
FAQ about Ash
Malinda's Article about LGBT characters in YA Fiction
The Ash Cover Story
Great interview! I really wan't to read Ash!
ReplyDeleteI think a map or (even floorplans!) would be a nice addition to books. I'm horrible at visualizing the spatial layout of things in my head. A friend and I actually had a long discussion about stuff like that in books. lol
ReplyDeleteAlea, thanks for being part of the ASH blog tour! Glad you enjoyed the map, too. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to hear what your favorite fairy tale is Alea! Mine is probably The Little Mermaid, but then, I like a lot of them.
ReplyDeleteThat map is gorgeous! Though I must admit, maps don't help me much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Malinda!
ReplyDeleteLenore, oh gosh I have no idea! I could tell you I really like Disney's Mulan... er. I guess when I think of fairy tales I think of Disney, but that's not really a fairy tale. I fail!
Want to read this one SO bad! Great interview!!!
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to this book.
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