Who Would Like This Book:
If you love books that play with structure and are fascinated by the artistic process, this one is a treat! The novel brilliantly weaves together a contemporary tale of struggling artists with snippets of an old Hungarian fairy tale. It's part coming-of-age, part meditation on what it means to create art, and packed with witty, thought-provoking insights. Brust's crisp, engaging writing style makes you feel like you're right there in the studio. Ideal for fans of metafiction, creative pursuits, and anyone curious about what really goes on in an artist's head.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers expecting a straightforward fairy tale retelling or a high fantasy adventure may come away disappointed - this isn't your typical genre entry or a magical quest. If you prefer fast-paced plots, or are put off by introspective characters grappling with the meaning of art (and the occasional bit of navel-gazing or artist angst), this might not be your cup of tea. Some also found the character dynamics a bit grating and felt the fairy tale thread wasn't fully integrated with the rest of the story.
About:
'The Sun, the Moon, & the Stars' by Steven Brust is a unique fairy tale retelling that intertwines the stories of a group of struggling artists in a studio and a Hungarian folktale. The narrative explores the challenges faced by the artists as they navigate the complexities of the creative process, while also delving into themes of art theory and the pursuit of artistic excellence. The book is structured in a layered format, with chapters alternating between personal reflections, philosophical musings on art, present-day events in the studio, detailed descriptions of the painting process, the Hungarian fairy tale, and metaphorical reflections on life and art.
The writing style in 'The Sun, the Moon, & the Stars' is described as engaging, witty, and introspective, drawing readers into the artistic world of the characters. The author weaves together multiple storylines seamlessly, creating a rich tapestry of narratives that explore the parallels between the contemporary artist's journey and the timeless quest depicted in the Hungarian folktale. Through vivid descriptions and crisp dialogue, Brust captures the essence of the creative process, inviting readers to ponder the nature of art and inspiration.
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Notes:
Has Romance?
While the book includes romance elements, such as Greg's relationship with his girlfriend, it is not the central focus of the plot.
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.
Steven Brust's fantasy novel The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars is a tale of two quests, of two young men who are reaching for the moon. And the sun. And the stars.
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The Sun, the Moon, & the Stars?
About the Author:
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and raised in a family of Hungarian labor organizers, Steven Brust worked as a musician and a computer programmer before coming to prominence as a writer with Jhereg, the first of his novels about Vlad Taltos. He has written more than twenty novels in Taltos's Dragaeran Empire, including the spin-off series The Phoenix Guards and The Viscount of Adrilankha. Brust's other works include To Reign in Hell, a fantasy re-working of Milton's war in Heaven; The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars, a contemporary fantasy based on Hungarian folktales; and the science fiction novel, Cowboy Feng's Space Bar and Grille.
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