The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars FROM THE PUBLISHER
Once upon a time there was a kingdom that lived in darkness, for the sun, the moon and the stars were hidden in a box, and that box was hidden in a sow's belly, and that sow was hidden in a troll's cave, and that cave was hidden at the end of the world. Once upon a time there was a studio of artists who feared they were doomed to obscurity, for though they worked and they worked, no one was interested in the paintings that stood in racks along their studio walls. The Sun, the Moon, & the Stars is a tale of two quests, of two young men who are reaching for the moon. And the sun. And the stars.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
This thoroughly refreshing, informative novel contains disparate components that coalesce nicely: an examination of how five struggling artists who share a studio interact with each other, a discourse from one of them about his craft, and a Hungarian fairy tale featuring Csucskari, a gypsy who tries to find the sun, moon and stars and restore them to the vacant heavens. Narrator Greg and his friends routinely assemble at the studio to work and exchange ideas. After three years, however, their enthusiasm ebbs as solvency and acclaim seem no closer. The five contemplate disbanding, while Greg labors on an immense, ambitious painting entitled Death of Uranus. With engaging unpretentiousness he explains some fundamental artistic issues to the reader: technique, the difficulties inherent in creating visually and intellectually stimulating paintings and the vacuousness of ``pretty'' pictures. Interspersed throughout the book is a fairy tale also told by Greg, who excitingly chronicles Csucskari's skirmishes with dragons and other foes. This fanciful fable ingeniously reinforces the book's principle theme of persevering despite adversity, yet it is Greg's amiable, frank discussion of his vocation that truly fascinates. (May 1)
VOYA - Diane G. Yates
Five young artists, four men and a woman, have rented a studio where each of them paints more or less full time. Although they have been at it for about three years, almost no one has bought their work, and they are about to give it up and (oh horror!) look for regular jobs. Greg, the narrator, talks about their strengths and weaknesses as artists while he attacks a large canvas he calls "The Monster." As he progresses with the picture, he also tells a Hungarian folk tale, placed within each chapter, of the Gypsy Csucskari and his two brothers who are given the task of fixing the sun, moon and the stars in the heavens. At the end, the picture is finished, so is the folktale, and the five friends may put together a show that may or may not enable them continue as they have been. Our editor tells me that this was originally published in 1988 as part of Terri Windling's well-received Fairy Tale Series. Brust's book is as different from Yolen's Briar Rose (Tor 1992) as it is possible to be. There are no fantastic elements in it other than the folk tale, and I can't imagine any teen expecting to read something in that genre enjoying it. The author provided interesting insights into the mind of an artist, how he looks at a painting, what he is trying to create, but only the special older teen will like this book. VOYA Codes: 3Q 2P S (Readable without serious defects, For the YA with a special interest in the subject, Senior High-defined as grades 10 to 12).
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