Monday, 26 June 2017

Tales From The Past Part Three: Sleeping Beauty


with Sharon Bryant

Why Use a Sleeping Beauty theme?


The Sleeping Beauty story is less utilised than Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast, however elements of this story appear in many romance novels. Think of stories involving amnesia, coma or time travel.

In essence, Sleeping Beauty is about impossible love, and the ability of true love to triumph over evil. Such timeless themes, together with the suspense created by the enduring presence of a wicked fairy whose viewpoint could be understood, made the movie Maleficent a huge box office success in 2014.


Sleeping Beauty in Historical Romance


 Flowers from the Storm, a historical romance by Laura Kinsale published in 2003, remains one of my favourite Sleeping Beauty romances. The hero, Christian, is a womanising rake. He leads a dissolute lifestyle resulting in a stroke. Doctors do not know what has happened, and incarcerate him in a mental institution. Enter Maddy Timms, a nurturing, chaste Quaker who needs to marry someone of her own faith. She recognises the intelligence trapped within Christian and wants to help him. He would love to seduce her, if only he were free to do so.

Another fabulous Sleeping Beauty story is The Accidental Wedding, a regency romance by Anne Gracie. Nash Renfrew, a diplomat, wakes with amnesia in the bed of Maddy Woodford, a poor country girl who has responsibility for five younger siblings. As their mutual attraction grows, Nash pretends that his memory is not returning so he doesn't have to leave her. The book is well crafted with ever-fabulous Anne Gracie characterisation, and a hero and heroine I loved.

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com


Sleeping Beauty in Contemporary Romance


 Waking Rose by Regina Doman tells the story of Rose Brier who has loved Ben Denniston, known as Fish, ever since he rescued her from a perilous situation. Sadly her love is not returned. Ben struggles with issues of his own and there is no way he wants a relationship with someone whose passion and honesty can get past his defences. If he ever marries he will choose a practical wife. Then tragedy occurs and Ben …I won't spoil it for you by saying what happens next.

https://www.amazon.com

What is your favourite Sleeping Beauty story? Why do you think the Sleeping Beauty tale is so enduring?


I love to love: My eldest daughter and her fiance visited Sydney last weekend. It was great to catch up with them.

I love to laugh: Conversation around a table with family and friends is the best.

I love to learn: I went to the Sydney Writer's Festival with my sister last month. So many fascinating sessions to attend. So many ideas to discuss and reflect upon.
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10 comments:

  1. Malvina26 June 2017 at 06:48

    Hi Sharon, I love your ongoing fairy tale series. Sometimes it's hard to now which 'meme' to apply to which story, but I think a sleeping beauty theme could apply to Open Season by Linda Howard, about a shy librarian who morphs into a true heroine after a terrifying incident. It's one of my favourite Linda Howard books. I love Flowers From the Storm, it's my favourite Laura Kinsale book. A true classic. The Anne Gracie is on my reading list and I've just downloaded Waking Rose - love the books you're introducing me to! On another note I saw the ballet Sleeping Beauty is about to return to Sydney. I saw it two years ago and revelled in the over-the-top lavishness of it all, and the beautifully danced story. Don't miss it!

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    1. Sharon Bryant26 June 2017 at 19:25

      Thanks Malvina. I'll have to read Open Season. I love Linda Howard's books. I agree it is difficult to match themes from fairy tale with romance novels at times.

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    2. Malvina28 June 2017 at 07:38

      Also just read that Kate Forsyth's new book Beauty in Thorns is a new look at the Sleeping Beauty story! Hoorah.

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  2. Cassandra Samuels26 June 2017 at 09:23

    Hi Sharon. I have both Flowers in the Storm and The Accidental Wedding on my keeper shelf. Both are fantastic examples of not only the sleeping beauty trope but of amazing story telling. I am intrigued by Waking Rose.

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    1. Sharon Bryant26 June 2017 at 19:27

      Hi Cassandra, Waking Rose was a really interesting book. Quite unusual with a fascinating plot. I hope you get a chance to read it.

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    2. Sharon Bryant26 June 2017 at 19:27

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Marilyn Forsyth26 June 2017 at 09:45

    Hi Sharon. I've always loved the fairy tale version of Briar Rose, and I also really enjoyed the 'Maleficent' take on this theme. I was recently looking up other books based on SB and came across Neil Gaiman's 'The Sleeper and the Spindle'. I've downloaded it but haven't read it yet - apparently it has a great twist to the theme. I'm interested to see how Gaiman handles a fairy tale retelling (romance may not play a major role ;) ).

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    1. Sharon Bryant26 June 2017 at 19:29

      Hi Marilyn. Wasn't Maleficent a fantastic movie? I haven't read The Sleeper and the Spindle. Please let me know what it's like.

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  4. Enisa26 June 2017 at 17:55

    Hi Sharon. Great post that has me thinking hard. See, my fave romances are about wounded heroes that don't really fit the SB trope. More like Beauty and the Beast for me. Though I do have Flowers in the Storm on my keeper shelf.

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  5. Sharon Bryant26 June 2017 at 19:38

    Hi Enisa. I think the hero grows so much in Beauty and the Beast stories. They are often a great read.

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