DOOR IN THE AIR AND OTHER STORIES, THE

Rating:
Summary: This is Mahy at her most masterful. Haunting and powerful.
Review: Any child in New Zealand has been brought up reading Margaret Mahys fantastic short story collections, such as the Chewing Gum Rescue and the Downhill Crocodile Whizz. The Door in the Air collection has all the elements that I've grown to love about Mahys work - the comic, the poignant, the everyday and the unusual, all with her unique touch of otherworldliness. What sets Door in the Air apart is that it is her first collection of short stories aimed at teenagers.

Magic and enchantment weave their way through themes that are intrinsic to being a teenager. These are stories of journey and discovery. Of stepping out to discover somewhere to belong. Or, simply realising the place you belong is where you are. Nearly all the stories deal with a metamorphosis. Each change has a different catalyst, and some take years while others take only moments. However long, each is a transition where the character discovers and unleashes their true nature.

Merlin from The Bridge Builder says "there is one word I know ... a word of release and remaking. It allows things to become their true selves". Of course teenagers don't have a single word to make those years of change any easier. Although Mahy celebrates change, she also recognises it is not always easy to embrace and when you do there is often a price to be paid, "cross my palm with silver" crys Aquilina. But that is a risk that must be taken in order to invite the new and extraordinary into your life.

Rating:
Summary: This is Mahy at her most masterful. Haunting and powerful.
Review: Any child in New Zealand has been brought up reading Margaret Mahys fantastic short story collections, such as the Chewing Gum Rescue and the Downhill Crocodile Whizz. The Door in the Air collection has all the elements that I've grown to love about Mahys work - the comic, the poignant, the everyday and the unusual, all with her unique touch of otherworldliness. What sets Door in the Air apart is that it is her first collection of short stories aimed at teenagers.

Magic and enchantment weave their way through themes that are intrinsic to being a teenager. These are stories of journey and discovery. Of stepping out to discover somewhere to belong. Or, simply realising the place you belong is where you are. Nearly all the stories deal with a metamorphosis. Each change has a different catalyst, and some take years while others take only moments. However long, each is a transition where the character discovers and unleashes their true nature.

Merlin from The Bridge Builder says "there is one word I know ... a word of release and remaking. It allows things to become their true selves". Of course teenagers don't have a single word to make those years of change any easier. Although Mahy celebrates change, she also recognises it is not always easy to embrace and when you do there is often a price to be paid, "cross my palm with silver" crys Aquilina. But that is a risk that must be taken in order to invite the new and extraordinary into your life.

Rating:
Summary: Intersting stories which show the art of Fate.
Review: There are nine stories telling about Fairies, Wizards, and all sorts of imaginative things. I like the story about the day and night girls very much.

Rating:
Summary: brilliant... wonderful book
Review: this is my favourite book by margaret mahy (though of course i love all her other stories). i don't know about you but i think this book is WONDERFUL. the descriptions are amazing, and the way the stories are told make everything so... 'magical'. i would strongly recommend this book to anyone.