Stardust by Neil Gaiman- Neil Gaiman’s novel, Stardust, is so full of magic that it is almost like a ripe, sweet fruit. The story follows a young boy named Tristan as he single-mindedly hunts for the ‘falling star’ his sweetheart has demanded he acquire before she will marry him. But Tristan must cross ‘The Wall’, the boundary between the normal, human realm, and the magical, fairy realm to find the star. Once over the wall, Tristan discovers what loving someone and being loved by someone truly means. I think this book would fit right in with any time of year, but it’s just something about fall that makes me think of fairy tales, and this is one of the best.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield- The setting for this story always makes me think of fall, even though I think it actually takes place in late winter. The novel follows Margaret Lea as she documents writer, Vida Winters’s, biography. She has agreed to do so because she hopes to acquire the missing ‘Thirteenth Tale’ of Winter’s short story collection, which is titled Thirteen Tales of Change and Desperation, but only includes twelve stories. This book is a wild ride, and is so full of twists and turns that, by the end, the ‘reveal’ amazed me. Definitely a great mystery for a blustery, fall day.
Wildwood Series by Juliet Marillier- Another fairy tale retelling. (Surprise, surprise!) The first book in this series is a retelling of a few different fairy tales, but predominately The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince. The story follows Jena, her best friend- a frog named Gogu- and her three sisters, as they deal with the changing dynamics of their family. They must keep secret their midnight trips to the fairy realm, called the Other Kingdom, by way of an enchanted, hidden portal, but as their cousin demands more and more of Jena’s time, and more responsibility is put on her and her sisters, the secrets start to slip out; and could have disastrous consequences. Such a great book- and again, perfect for a crisp fall day (or night!)
Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente- This novel follows Koschei, a character of Russian folklore that is normally described as purely evil. But in Valente’s telling, Koschei is re-imagined as he takes on a new bride- Marya. Wisked away from her meager existence during the Russian Revolution, Marya is brought through Koschei’s realm, fed delicacies of a Russian autumn, entertained by magical creatures she’s never seen before. But as love and jealousy bloom between Koschei and his new bride, Marya discovers for herself why the tales of evil surround her new husband. This story is so beautifully written that one can almost feel the Russian autumn while reading! It definitely fits in when the leaves are turning and when the dead of winter is right around the corner.
The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Writings by Edgar Allan Poe- Poe’s stories, in my opinion, fit so perfectly with creepy, windy nights that they don’t even need much description here. Full of ravens, death, curses, and Gothic twists, Poe’s stories are perfect for a dark night around a campfire. Or a night in when dead tree branches are tapping on your bedroom window.
Happy couch-traveling! And happy fall!
-Sarah.
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