Join Books.org — it's free

Teen Fiction, Fiction Subjects
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen — book cover

Briar Rose

by Jane Yolen
Write a review
Log in to track your reading progress.

Overview


A powerful retelling of Sleeping Beauty that is "heartbreaking and heartwarming."

An American Library Association "100 Best Books for Teens"
An American Library Association "Best Books for Young Adults"

Ever since she was a child, Rebecca has been enchanted by her grandmother Gemma's stories about Briar Rose. But a promise Rebecca makes to her dying grandmother will lead her on a remarkable journey to uncover the truth of Gemma's astonishing claim: I am Briar Rose. A journey that will lead her to unspeakable brutality and horror. But also to redemption and hope.

A powerful and moving novel that deftly blends the legend of Sleeping Beauty with the historical tragedy of the Holocaust. After her grandmother's death, a young American woman struggles to uncover the truth behind the old woman's past. The trail eventually leads to Europe and the darkest days of WWII.

Synopsis

Ever since she was a child, Rebecca has been enchanted by her grandmother Gemma's stories about Briar Rose. But a promise Rebecca makes to her dying grandmother will lead her on a remarkable journey to uncover the truth of Gemma's astonishing claim: I am Briar Rose. A journey that will lead her to unspeakable brutality and horror. But also to redemption and hope. A Tor Teen edition of the modern classic by critically-acclaimed author Jane Yolen.

About the Author, Jane Yolen

JaneYolen lives in Massachusetts.

John Schoenherr lives in New Jersey.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

From the Publisher


“Terrifically moving.” —The Washington Post

“Yolen takes the story of Briar Rose and links it to the Holocaust—a far from obvious connection that she makes perfectly convincing...Only a writer as good as Yolen could bring it off.” —Publishers Weekly

“Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, Yolen’s novel is a compelling reminder of the Holocaust as well as a contemporary tale of secrets and romance.”—Booklist

“Showcases Yolen’s skill at transforming the real world into a realm of fantasy.” —Library Journal

Library Journal - Booksmack!

This column began with one Holocaust story and ends with another, originally published in 1992, that is arguably the most memorable of Terry Windling's "Fairy Tales" series (Tor). Becca's Grandmother Gemma has always told the story of Briar Rose, Sleeping Beauty, insisting that she is the princess who was awakened from slumber with a kiss. After her Gemma's death, Becca seeks the truth and learns that her grandmother survived the Holocaust and nearly died in the Chelmno concentration camp in Poland. One Josef Potocki saved Becca with a "kiss" after she was gassed. Yolen's interpretation was ground-breaking both for its focus on the experience of Polish Jews and for its handling of Josef's homosexuality. A can't-miss book. Angelina Benedetti, "35 Going on 13", Booksmack!, 12/2/10

Sally Estes

Part of the Fairy Tale series created by Terri Windling, Yolen's recasting of the Sleeping Beauty tale is not fantasy; rather, it is a story evocatively grounded in the horror of the Holocaust. Ever since Rebecca was a toddler, she and her two older sisters had heard a unique version of Sleeping Beauty over and over again from their beloved grandmother, Gemma, who insists that she is Briar Rose. Alternating chapters advance the fairy tale and Rebecca's experiences in trying to fulfill her promise made on Gemma's death bed to find the castle in the sleeping woods, which Gemma leaves to Rebecca. Rebecca's investigation takes her to her grandmother's native Poland, from which emerges a tale of Nazi brutality, gas chambers, partisan activity, courage, guilt, and love. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, Yolen's novel is a compelling reminder of the Holocaust as well as a contemporary tale of secrets and romance.

Book Details

Published
March 1, 2002
Publisher
Doherty, Tom Associates, LLC
Pages
224
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780765342300

More by Jane Yolen

Similar books