Review: Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Overview:
Rating: 3 out of 5.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoyed the prose and the distinct characters, but I felt that the story was largely overcomplicated and I struggled to emotionally connect with it.
Content Warning:
Spinning Silver contains child abuse, domestic violence, death of a family member, antisemitism, violence, alcoholism, and references to sexual assault.
Book Description:
Spinning Silver is a standalone fantasy novel. When her father’s inability to collect rent pushes her family to poverty, Miryem takes over his position as their town’s moneylender. Quickly finding success in her business ventures, she attracts the attention of a fae king who demands that she use her skills to turn his silver into gold. Their partnership has farther reaching consequences that increased profit. Soon, an orphan girl, a aristocrat’s daughter, and a cursed prince are all somehow tied to the Myriam’s fate. The well-being of faeries and humans alike depend on their ability to work together.
On the Story as a Retelling:
I wouldn’t say this story is based on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin; I would say it is loosely related to it. A Fae king asks a girl who is good at business to turn his investment into gold… and the similarities stop after that. I personally enjoyed the fact that this is not a regurgitated version of the original fairytale, but those going in with that expectation will likely be disappointed.
On the Pacing:
At times, reading this book felt like playing a game of fantasy-themed monopoly. There are so many moving pieces: 5+ narratives, rich scenery, copious amounts of historical context, etc. But like a game of monopoly, it is too long and too dense. While the complexity of the story is impressive, a large chunk of it is bogged down by the overuse of details — so much so that I found myself in a reading slump before even reaching the halfway point. I think cutting back on a few of the less important POVs and longer pastoral descriptions would allow the plot to progress at a faster pace and, honestly, boost reader engagement.
On the Characters:
The characters, especially the main three heroines, are extremely distinct from one another. Despite the unlabeled changes in narrative throughout the book, each shift in perspective has its own unique style. That said, despite each character being distinguishable, I did not feel that they were all that personable. Maybe it was just slightly detached 3rd person POVs or the gritty reality of the world-building, but I could not establish emotional connection to any of them for the life of me. I wanted so badly to see bits of myself in Myriam’s ruthlessness, Wanda’s kindheartedness, and Irina’s fear. Instead, it felt like I was viewing their stories from such a distance. I didn’t care about them.
On the Prose:
The true gem of this book is Novik’s writing style. I know I complain about it adding to the oversaturation of detail in the book (which it does), but on its own it is very beautiful. There are many elements in the text that elicit the folkloric vibes of classical, western fairytales. This includes gritty pastoral scenes, reoccurring symbolism, and flowery commentary on morals (or lack thereof). If you’re down for a book where that traditional fairytale ~ a e s t h e t i c ~ shines through above all else, this may be the story for you.
On Who Might Enjoy Spinning Silver:
I recommend you read this book if you:
are a fan of classical, dark fairytales (think the Grimm’s Fairytales)
prioritize atmosphere and plot over connection to character
are looking for a more challenging read
PLEASE NOTE: Image sources for the photo on this post can be found here.