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by: Delia Sherman
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780452272262
ISBN: 0452272262
Label: Plume
Manufacturer: Plume
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 416
Publication Date: July 01, 1994
Publisher: Plume
Sales Rank: 1249244
Studio: Plume
Accessories:
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Narrated by the family's chatterbox chambermaid, it is a rich, sinister, and funny novel of romance, sorcery, and aristocracy.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Slow and somewhat contrived, this is nevertheless an imaginative and enjoyable fairy tale. Recommended
In eighteen century France, Berthe Duvet becomes chambermaid to Adèle du Fourchet, later the Duchess of Malvoeux. Centuries later, Berthe tells the story of a curse placed on the Duke's family which drove them all to madness and isolation until the youngest child and only daughter set out, against the backdrop of revolutionary France, to bring back the porcelain dove and break the curse. A lush period piece overlayed by both French society and everpresent magic, The Porcelain Dove is somewhat contrived ... Read More
Rating:  - A fascinating novel
This novel is fascinating and beautifully written. Yes, you have to be read through a mid size book, but why is that such a problem for people? The writing, the mystery and the setting are all enough to be page turners for me.It is so refreshing to come across a book that doesn't fall back on cliches. I'm planning on rereading it, as well recommending it to friends.
Rating: - A gorgeous, thought-provoking Adult Fairy Tale
This is one of the most extraordinary fairy-tale inspired novels I've ever read. Based on old French fairy tales, this magical historical novel concerns an aristocratic family during the years of the French Revolution. Intelligent, beautifully written, and subtle, the surface story (the magical part of the tale) is entertaining and enchanting, but what really makes this book special and memorable is Sherman's subtext: a subtle, dry, witty, and sharply pointed examination of gender and class issues. If you're ... Read More
Rating:  - I wish I loved it
I am actually in the middle of this book and I wish I were enjoying it more. I chose this book because it received the Mythopoeic Award in 1994 for adult fantasy. I was expecting to read a light, entertaining book with action and fun. However, this book is serious and does remind me of reading the classics. Perhaps I would enjoy it more in a different frame of mind. I had to look up several words on the first page: duchy, chateau, baroque and Circassian. I have also struggled with phrases such as "mise-en ... Read More
Rating: - Good, but not great.
Despite that it is a beautifully imagined and beautifully written book, it lacks the magic to make it a great or wonderful novel. I enjoyed reading it, but I was disappointed in the character, her development or lack of it, and I guess I just felt the book was missing something. My expectations were very high because it was highly recommended. I would read Delia Sherman again.
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