The Witch's Boy

The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber
Published by HarperTempest in 2005
377 Pages
Warning: This novel contains mild language and witchcraft
Genre: Fantasy, Witchcraft, Fairy Tales

This is the story of an ugly boy who is brought up by a witch; she calls the boy Lump. The women appoints a talking, sensitive bear to be the boys maid. What Lump does not know, is that his mother must give away her magic to save Lump. The story continues to unfold as the fate of Lump is unknown. He experiences a triumph and then loses it all. Gruber incorporates the classic tales of Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel and Rumpelstiltskin. Time Out has said- "Animals speak, spells are cast, dark forces seduce, and a foundling becomes a man in this compelling fantasy [with a] conclusion that readers will savor."

I have never been a fan of Fantasy, and this book did not grab me in the beginning. Although, about three fourths of the way into the book I did find myself savoring every word. I enjoyed the last part of the novel very much, and also enjoyed the incorporation of the various fairy tales throughout the novel. The story of triumph that Lump goes through is inspiring as well, and I enjoyed reading about his life and the different experiences he goes through. While I did not enjoy the entire book, I do understand why young adults and tweens enjoy the witchcraft and escape of Fantasy novels. This novel presents interesting ideas about family and happiness.

SPOILER ALERT

What I enjoyed most is the following excerpt on the second to last page:

"Lump and his family returned to the royal city then, and stayed there all their lives. Although they did not live happily ever after, for they often quarreled about religion and who loved whom the best, they were happier then most families" (376).

A fairy tale can still be magical and bring a person joy without having to end "happily ever after." We know, from the ups and downs of life, that not everything ends with a happy ending, but despite that, we can still find happiness in the ending that is.