I imagine it might be frustrating or boring for readers who are not used to keeping track of numerous narrative threads and unusual structures. In the Night Garden is a treat for all who love puzzle stories and the mystical language of talespinners.Carol Berg, author of Daughter of Ancients Fabulous talespinning in the tradition of story cycles such as The Arabian Nights. The dense writing style and complicated structure (a story within a story within a story within a story etc.) made it sometimes challenging for me, an adult, to follow. Praise for In the Night Garden Cathrynne Valente weaves layer upon layer of marvels in her debut novel. I wouldn't recommend this book to teens however, unless they are very advanced readers. I think that the themes of the book are great for young people, particularly that what is different or "monstrous" can be powerful and beautiful and that women have a lot more to do than just be princesses waiting on a prince. It helps that the writing style is so poetic and somewhat oblique. Violence, mutilation, sex, incest and rape all appear in the story, but it is not gratuitous or graphic. I wouldn't personally be concerned about giving this to young teens because of subject matter, although I can see why others might be.
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