Spinning Silver
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Spinning Silver is a highly acclaimed Rumpelstiltskin retelling by Naomi Novik, set in an Eastern European-inspired folklore world. It is widely praised for its hauntingly beautiful prose, strong female protagonists, and sophisticated handling of adult themes within a fairytale framework. While the majority of readers consider it a superior example of literary craft, a small minority find its multiple perspectives and plot structure difficult to follow.
Pros
- Exceptional first chapter and rich character setup
- Hauntingly beautiful writing and high level of craft
- Strong, well-developed female leads like Miryem
- Atmospheric Eastern European folklore setting
- Intricate weaving of multiple character perspectives
Cons
- Potential for confusion regarding shifting points of view (POV)
- Some plot points may not feel sufficiently self-explanatory to all readers
- Occasional criticism that character voices lack enough distinction
Caveats
- The narrative relies on multiple disparate pieces coming together, which requires reader attention to track whose POV is active.
- While often compared to Novik's other work 'Uprooted,' some readers find the magic system in the latter to be stronger.
Best for
- Fans of dark, adult fairytale retellings
- Readers who enjoy Eastern European folklore and settings
- Those looking for character-driven fantasy with strong female leads
Avoid if
- You find multiple, overlapping first-person perspectives confusing
- You prefer straightforward, linear plot progression without ambiguity
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 122-month half-life. The evidence is drawn from 21 mentions in r/Fantasy and r/suggestmeabook, with a median source age of approximately 405 days.
Sentiment
32 positive (94%) · 1 mixed (3%) · 1 negative (3%)
Trust + time weighted score: +92% · raw score 91%
What redditors said (10 of 34)
Naomi Novik also has some standalone fantasy novels that are good transitions to adult works. *Spinning Silver* is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik - a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin in an Eastern European setting, focusing on three connected young women
Naomi Novik's _Uprooted_ and _Spinning Silver_ are very similar in that regard.
Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver and Uprooted both have a fairytale feel, and I don’t remember either FMC being plain or tomboyish.
I like Naomi Novik's writing. Spinning Silver is so beautifully written
Spinning Silver Uprooted His Majesty's Dragon I did not like the high school themed ones like the Scholomance series. But these three I mentioned where really good.
Naomi noviks stand alone novels : spinning silver and uprooted. Female protagonists that are competent and grounded.
Novik's Spinning Silver and Scholomance (and~ Uprooted and Summer War) live here
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik has a very similar feel.
Naomi Novik has a few standalone like Spinning Silver you may enjoy.
Compare
Spinning Silver vs The Lord of the RingsSpinning Silver vs PiranesiSpinning Silver vs Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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