Reading Ruminations: Valiant

            I always enjoy discovering new reimaginings of fairytales.  This weekend while looking for something interesting to read, I discovered one such story. "Valiant" by Sarah McGuire, is the vibrant retelling of the classic "The Brave Little Tailor".  This first-person narrative is not the most intricate of stories, certain points are rather predictable, but even so, McGuire manages to pull you into her world and especially into her protagonist, Saville’s life.  
            Saville, the daughter of a skilled but arrogant tailor, is brave in the true sense of the word.  As she goes forward, facing giants and vain rulers, she’s terrified but determined.  She is clever and while she seems to be aware of her intelligence, it isn’t in a condescending or gloating way, and it in no way prevents her from making mistakes or admitting them.  Saville is a very real combination of hopes, fears, frustration, and affection.  I like her very much.
            Another wonderful aspect of McGuire’s world is how she develops her giants.  These aren’t the dumb brutes of the fairytales of old.  These are people with personalities, motives, and skills as diverse as those of humanity.  Some are loyal and loving, others bloodthirsty.  They aren’t beasts.  They’re part of a civilization with a rich cultural heritage and real concerns that drive them. 
            With this unusual concept, the story "Valiant" explores themes of truth and tale, nobleness and treachery, and the reality that matters involving heroes and villains are never as clear-cut as we would like.

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