Shadow Spinner

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Summary: Shadow Spinner A very suspenseful and mysterious read
Review: I think Shadow Spinner was a great book. It did not have great detail, but it had a wonderful, historical plot line. It sometimes makes you feel like you are in the book, hiding in the secret caves with Marjan, or spying on the girl who is always in your way. Marjan was a wonderfully decribed character. She was very smart, and graceful, even though she was crippled. Marjan was taken from her home, to the elegent palace of the Sultan, where she was a storyteller for the Sultan's wife, Sharahazard. It was a very funny, mysterious story,that forced you keep reading on. I feel for Marjan, for what she has to go through to get these stories. To find out more, read the book!

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Summary: Could Not Put It Down
Review: The only word I could say to express my opinion for this book is "Wow"! This book is full of suspence and wonder. Read it

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Summary: This Book Has Everything a Reader Could Want!
Review: This book was fabulous! The characters were very interesting. Although the book is very mysterious and action-packed, sometimes there is a funny thing here and there. I could not put this book down. The day I started it I secretly read until the early morning! This book is the best. I totally recommend it, especially if you like Arabic settings.

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Summary: An amazing story for a storyteller
Review: I just read this, and thought it a tremendous accomplishment for Fletcher (that's my name, too!), whose other works I have also loved. It shows the power of words and intelligence, which women must use in the face of a society that gives them little other power. The principle of teaching lessons in a story within a story has been used by such writers as Thomas More, Mary Shelley, and Charles Dickens, and works well for Marjan (and for Fletcher). I must admit that some of it is not realistic, and the author does little to bring out the setting or culture of the Sultan's city, but Marjan's story is enough to make any reader pause to reflect and move deeper into the world of storytelling.

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Summary: A beautiful spin on an ancient tale.
Review: Susan Fletcher has provided beloved, believable characters, heart-pounding suspense, and a wonderful twist on an ancient heroine. She also treats the horrible violence of the sultan tastefully - providing the women's differing views of the man and his deeds.And I love a story with strong female protagonists. Ms. Fletcher delivers, and gives us believably sympathetic men, as well. No sappiness.The "lessons" provided at the start of each chapter are an excellent touch.As I read in a previous review, Ms. Fletcher's ending is "hopeful", as opposed to a cliche "happy ending". I have always wanted to know what happened to the incredible Sheherazade, and "Shadow Spinner" gave me the answer in an original, refreshing manner...

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Summary: The Best
Review: This is certainly one of the best books I have ever read, if not the best. It was very intriging, and keep my interest, a page turner-I read it in one night. The plot was fasinating. The characters were well devoloped and interesting. It was wonderful, I loved it, I was amazed when I was finished. I definatly recommend this book, which I have already have to two other people who also loved it.

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Summary: Wonderful...wonderful
Review: In a sentence...I am telling everyone I know that this book should win the Newbery for 1998!

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Summary: Really Great Book for Girls
Review: This is a wonderful little story! I read it in one day! It would make a great story to read to your kids, or read it for yourself. There is something for everyone.

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Summary: Very Enjoyable
Review: Immediatly after reading the back cover of this book, I knew it would be a good one. The story was very descriptive and enchanting, with fun characters that each had an important role to play. The scenery was sometimes hard to imagine, and the pathways, stairways, passages and such were almost over-talked-about and described, but those two things are very minor when you're reading a book this good. It contains almost all genres, including mystery, romance, and adventure. The little mysteries are a big part of what keeps you reading for hours! Just a warning, don't hurt yourself trying to make sense of things, because it will all be explained later. I also really liked that the story was over 200 pages long, because I'm a fast reader when I come across a good book, and this one lasted me quite a while.

What I liked about this book, is that (though some may disagree) it was a lot like real life. The characters weren't constantly happy, and their needs weren't easily fulfilled. Even in the midst of happiness there was worry and a little bit of regret. Each character also had their own view to them, such as Shahrazad (a hero), Zaynab (the kind little old lady), and the Khatun (the enemy).

I very much enjoyed this book! There are some parts in it that might disturb younger children (such as the sultan marrying just to kill his wife in the morning) and a little itty bitty bit of older people content. But other then that, I loved this book, and it is now one of my favorites!

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Summary: not only a tale for children
Review: Shadow Spinner is based on Arabian Nights. Marjan is a storyteller who is living with Jewish people she calls aunt and uncle. Her mother commited suicide after she maimed Marjan's foot so the sultan wouldn't marry her. The sultan's first wife was unfaithful to him and he killed her and married a woman every night and killed her in the morning, because he believed that all woman were unfaithful. Her mother thought that the sultan would continue until all the unmarried woman were dead and then start marrying the young girls. One day Marjan goes with her aunt to sell jewelry at the harem, which is the place where all the woman in the palace live. After telling a story to some children she is led to Shahrazad, the sultan's wife. For almost three years she has told the sultan stories and doesn't finish them so she continues them the next day. She is desperate for stories she hasn't already told him. So Marjan tells her one and she tells the sultan. It turns out this story happens to be the sultan's childhood favorite and he asks her to tell him the story of the main character's son. Shahrazad, trying to please him, says she knows it and will tell him the story after she is done with the one she is presently telling. She asks Marjan about the rest of the story and Marjan says she doesn't know it. So Shahrazad sends Marjan out of the harem (which isn't allowed) to find out the rest of the story (Marjan heard the story from a storyteller in the bazaar). What makes this book interesting is the sultan's mother, the most powerful woman in the harem, who distrusts women and hates Shahrazad. Also, Marjan deals with her feelings of hate towards her mother at crippiling Marjan for life.