Goose Girl

The New York Times Book Review

"Enchanting. [Hale] adds such depth and scope.…In layer upon layer of detail a beautiful coming-of-age story emerges."

Publishers Weekly

PW called this "an affecting debut novel. Those who enjoy getting lost in an enchanted world will discover here a satisfying and richly embellished retelling of a classic." Ages 10-up. (May) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

"[An] affecting debut novel."

KLIATT

To tell you the truth, the original fairy tale of "The Goose Girl" is somewhat vague in my memory, but this retelling holds its own as a story in its own right. It reminds me of the work of Robin McKinley in her retellings of "The Beauty and the Beast" and "Sleeping Beauty" (Beauty and Spindle's End). The world of the Princess Ani, who becomes the goose girl, is a fantasy world, but the people who live in this world are quite human in nature, with just a few supernatural features added. For instance, Ani is able to speak with animals, and she eventually even learns to connect with wind, controlling gusts and whirlwinds as needed. The princess has been given in marriage to the prince of a neighboring war-loving kingdom in an effort to create peace. On the long journey to her new home, Ani is betrayed by Selia, her lady-in-waiting, and by many of the armed guards who have been enticed by Selia's flirting. Ani escapes through the forest and is given refuge by a woman and her son. There is no way she can explain who she really is; she disguises her identity and gets a job as a goose girl in the capital city of the kingdom where she was meant to be queen. At this point, we are a third of the way into the story. Ani is slowly transformed into an independent-thinking, courageous young woman as she makes her way in the society of other young people who work with the geese and other animals belonging to the king. From afar she sees Selia impersonating her, passing herself off as the Princess Ani, engaged to marry the prince. Selia has plotted to protect her own identity by inciting a war between the two kingdoms—but before this war and the marriage can take place, Ani, with the help of the farmworkers and forest dwellers, rises up to stop the war and expose Selia as an imposter. The adventure is made all the more appealing by the many details of the horse Ani loves and the other animals she is close to. Her ability with horses joins her with a young man, who says he is the servant of the prince, and their respect for one another grows into love, but it is a love that must be denied—until the happy ending. (Fairy tales always have a happy ending.) This YA novel will appeal to readers of fantasy and to all who enjoy seeing classic stories transformed by a creative author. KLIATT Codes: JS—Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2003, Bloomsbury, 383p. map.,
— Claire Rosser

VOYA

In this rich, layered, and enchanting fairy-tale, love, loyalty, and hard work play as strong a role as magic. When her lady-in-waiting and guards betray her, Ani, the seventeen-year-old Crown Princess of Kildenree, finds herself working as a goose girl in Bayern, the country where she was supposed to have married the prince. She becomes a very good goose girl, but more important and with more difficulty, she becomes fast friends with the other workers, learning to trust them despite the secrets and subterfuge that make up her life. She cannot even let the dark-haired Bayerns see her Kildenrean yellow hair. Because she unexpectedly survived the massacre in which she was supposed to have been murdered, she is being hunted. Now the false princess has concocted a war so that militaristic Bayern will attack peaceful, defenseless Kildenree. Ani must do something to help her country, but how can she convince the king of Bayern to believe a simple goose girl? As with Robin McKinley's heroines, Ani does not trust her own talents and is slow to awaken to the magic within her. Also like those characters, she has a special affinity for horses, but the language of birds is her specialty. Although the book is stylistically accomplished, plot and characterization are uneven at first in this retelling of the Grimms' fairy tale. Yet by Part Two, a fourth of the way into the story, Hale's hand becomes steadier so that by the end, she, like her heroine, has come into her own, locating the magic of her voice. Both Ani's and Hale's are talents to celebrate. VOYA Codes: 4Q 4P J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High,defined as grades 10 to 12). 2003, Bloomsbury, 388p,
— Rebecca Barnhouse

Children's Literature

Full Cast Audio brings the author's 2003 debut novel to life. Listening to the fictional characters on these ten compact discs almost makes this fantasy seem real. Hale's retelling of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale begins with the birth of the Crown Princess, Ani. Her mother, the queen of Kildenree, has royal expectations of her first born. However, Ani is more comfortable communicating with animals and nature. When one of their mares gives birth, Ani hears the foal, Falada, speak his name, and he hears Ani repeat it. Several years later, after Ani's sixteenth birthday, the queen tells her that she must travel to a neighboring kingdom and marry the prince of Bayern. Ani objects, but leaves Kildenree with her lady-in-waiting, Selia, and several palace guards. Before reaching Bayern, Ani discovers that Selia and some disloyal guards plan to kill her and the remaining guards so Selia can pretend to be the Crown Princess. Ani escapes and eventually arrives at the Bayern palace. Ani disguises herself as one of the forest people and accepts work as a goose keeper. Months pass and Ani finally gathers up the courage to reveal her true identity to the king and prince. The listener will be captivated by distinct character voices and pleased with the fairy tale ending. The listener will hear how Ani's self-respect and confidence develop along with the story. This outstanding audio book will make the listener feel as though they are sitting in the audience of a theatrical production. 2005, Full Cast Audio, Ages 10 up.
—Mary Jo Edwards

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-A full-cast production voiced by over four dozen actors brings this well-known Grimm's fairy tale to life, albeit it with a modern and magical twist. In this delightful dramatization of the book by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury, 2003), 16-year-old Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isillee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, is betrayed by Selia, her jealous and evil lady-in-waiting, and takes refuge as a goose girl while plotting how to reclaim her rightful place as the bride-to-be of the Prince of Bayern. Gifted with the ability to speak to animals and talk to the wind, Princess Anidori-now called "Isi"-falls in love, makes new friends, and collects allies in her quest to claim her title. This tale of courage and perseverance is a listening delight.-Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A beautifully textured and deeply re-imagined version of the Grimm Brothers Goose Girl, Hale's first novel is too long by a fair amount, but ensorcelled teen readers, swept up in the romance and the luscious language, probably won't notice. All the elements are here: a princess called Ani is born with the gift of hearing and understanding the birds, the wind, and her beautiful horse, Falada. But Ani's mother, the queen, who has the gift of people-speaking, is so disappointed that Ani's gifts are in another direction that she sends Ani off to marry a prince of the next kingdom. On the road, Ani's serving maid Selia and her cohorts kill her guard and Selia takes Ani's place. Ani is cared for by a forest woman, becomes a goose herd in the town, and sees Falada's head hung in the town square. When Ani rallies her gaggle of friends to try to stop the war that Selia is instigating to hide her treachery, it leads to a gorgeous, dramatic climax where stories "tell us what they can. The rest is for us to learn." (Fiction. YA)

SFF Audio

Full Cast Audio brings the characters to life in spot-on performances which won't disappoint fans of the novel.