The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Fairyland, Book 1

By: Catherynne M. Valente

Narrated by: Catherynne M. Valente

September is a girl who longs for adventure. When she is invited to Fairyland by a Green Wind and a Leopard, well, of course she accepts. (Mightn’t you?) But Fairyland is in turmoil, and it will take one 12-year-old girl, a book-loving dragon, and a strange and almost human boy named Saturday to vanquish an evil Marquess and restore order.

©2011 Catherynne M. Valente (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is a kind of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by way of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - it's the sort of book one doesn't want to end." ( Publisher's Weekly)

Subpar performance overshadows story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

What is this thinking that the author of a book is somehow the best person to read the book. Not so in this case, AT ALL. The whiny character voices, the growly, too-low reading, the running out of breath before the end of sentences . . . seriously detracting from all else.

Would you recommend The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making to your friends? Why or why not?

not in audio form

How could the performance have been better?

Better reader.

Nurturing your child within

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making is a really excellent fantasy for everyone who still has a child within. The narration (by the author) is perfect and adds much to the experience. Although not as good as Through the Looking Glass, it is pretty darn good. I enjoyed the characters, the subtle humor and lyric prose. Although slightly dark the spirit is bright and comforting. I wish my daughter was eight years old again. This would make a nice continuing bed time story.

100% Recommend

Um, this book is perfect—it is magical and a bit silly but takes the reader and its characters seriously. Read it.

Lovely tale wonderfully told but needing a whip!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Just for the descriptions alone I would recommend this wonderful story, however the title is misleading. There is only one section where she travels in a ship of her own making - not the whole story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making?

Going into the land of eternal autumn

Have you listened to any of Catherynne M. Valente’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

The story meandered and was in need of tighter editing - but I loved the characters and the fact that inanimate objects also were described with character. Very rich with imagination.

nostalgia for my soul

so the author was not the best narrator, but she wasn't nearly as bad as everyone else in the reviews made it seem. it rather reminded me of a mother reading to her child, which is very fitting for this book.

Uniquely lyrical, magically compelling

2009 Nebula Award. A marvelously original, lyrical fairy tale that captivates and awes. September’s adventures through Fairyland with Ell the Wyvern and Saturday the boy marid. It all starts with the Green Wind and ends with a missing shadow. Shoes and laws, choices and love are main characters in this magical erudite journey sure to delight and wonder.

A Fantastic Adventure

Lush language & an extraordinary audio performance! The cast of characters fully flushed out and vivid. What a treasure to find. I can't wait to enjoy the next book in the series :-)

whimsical

I really enjoyed this tale. How fun that the author narrated. Would have enjoyed this when I was young. The references to the books I read when I was twelve just heightened my enjoyment.

Listen to it, listen to it, listen to it!

One of the best novels I've ever read, fantasy or otherwise. Every other line is my favorite line in the book, which is to say, one of my favorite lines ever; Valente had such a way of turning a phrase. The first time I listened to it I thought the author must have had some say in the narrator because the voice was brilliant and perfectly suited to the book- so different from how fantasy novels with girl protagonists are usually narrated, so saccharine and naive. Then I looked back and discovered that it was the author who read it. Most authors should not read their books, but Valente should narrate not only her books but lots of other people's as well. Choose this book. You won't regret it.

Charming

Charming, creative, and lovely. September is a delightful heroine, and the descriptions of the various parts of fairyland were very inventive.