When Dashti, a maid, and Lady Saren, her mistress, are shut in a tower for seven years because of Saren’s refusal to marry a man she despises, the two prepare for a very long and dark imprisonment.
As food runs low and the days go from broiling hot to freezing cold, it is all Dashti can do to keep them fed and comfortable. With the arrival outside the tower of Saren’s two suitors—one welcome, the other decidedly less so—the girls are confronted with both hope and great danger, and Dashti must make the desperate choices of a girl whose life is worth more than she knows.
With Shannon Hale’s lyrical language, this little-known classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm is reimagined and reset in a land inspired by the Asian steppes; it is a completely unique retelling filled with adventure and romance, drama and disguise.
Discussion questions:
· How would the story have been different if Dashti had been less patient and subservient with her social superiors?
· Could Dashti have been the same person if she were beautiful? Would it have changed her relationships with the other characters?
· Dashti’s relationships with animals are also important to her. Have you had a pet who meant as much to you as My Lord or Mucker did to Dashti?
· If you were going to be locked into a tower for seven years, what would you take with you?
· How would the story have been different if Dashti had been less patient and subservient with her social superiors?
· Could Dashti have been the same person if she were beautiful? Would it have changed her relationships with the other characters?
· Dashti’s relationships with animals are also important to her. Have you had a pet who meant as much to you as My Lord or Mucker did to Dashti?
· If you were going to be locked into a tower for seven years, what would you take with you?
I just ordered it. It's coming in the mail!
ReplyDeleteI got it from the library today!
ReplyDeletehow are we going to stay at the same pace?
ReplyDeleteTry to have it done by July 1, but we'll be flexible. We'll start the next book after everyone has finished and commented on this one.
ReplyDelete* SPOILER ALERT*
ReplyDeleteGood book! I finished it in 2 days! After reading it, I see that my discussion questions are lame. None of them address the issues I was contemplating while I was reading. So I won't be addressing those questions. They are just meant to spur some thought.
At the beginning you have 2 girls from opposite backgrounds in the same desperate situation. Their reaction to what is happening is just as opposite. Dashti, the maid comes from utter loneliness and poverty. Saren, the noble lady comes from wealth and privilege. Lady Saren cries and acts so helpless and weak throughout the whole ordeal. Dashti seems to always find the bright side of things. She feels capable of survival and even feels blessed to know that for 7 years she won't go hungry!
For a girl who has never had to do anything for herself, that would be frightening. She has no skills! And to think that her father intended to send her to the tower without a handmaiden! She wouldn't have lasted a week without Dashti. Not only for her physical survival, but Saren was simply an emotional wreck and probably would have taken her own life if Dashti wasn't there to sing to her and comfort her.
Dashti grew up outside the city with only her mother. They raised animals and tried to keep their distance from people to avoid being taken advantage of. Because of that, they were completely self sufficient and had many opportunities to be creative for the sake of their own survival. This had to have given Dashti a sense of confidence and ability in any tough situation.
LESSON LEARNED: A life of convenience could paralyze you if those conveniences are taken away. Although she was temporally poor, Dashti's skills and experience were invaluable in the tower and after.
I started to wonder after awhile if Lady Saren was mentally disturbed. She was so traumatized and never quite seemed to recover despite Dashti's efforts to comfort, care, and befriend her. There was a noticeable difference, though, once Dashti gave My Lord, the cat to Saren. I think this was the first time she ever felt truly loved by anyone who had not responsibility for her. This seemed to lift her spirits and she seemed to care enough about life to find something she enjoyed doing.
LESSON LEARNED: Pure Love is a powerful motivator.
At the end, I couldn't foresee how Dashti could possibly escape death on the battlefield, or punishment for her many crimes. But, because she tried so hard to do what was right and always prayed to know what to do, amazingly, it worked out in the end. If she would have ever done any of those things for selfish reasons, there would have been no hope for her. But as she displayed on the battlefield, she was willing to give all and completely submit herself for the cause of good.
LESSON LEARNED: If we keep the Lord close and always try to do His will, he will take care of us and bless our lives for our efforts. Even more than we can foresee.
I just realized that I HAVE read this book! I really should keep a list, because I forget what I've read and what I haven't. I thought it was a good book too!
ReplyDeletein the book it had a part that i really liked it was a little song her kahn sang to her when she was in the tower.it goes like this:
ReplyDeletethis morning i found a piglet, grunting beside my bed this piglet,she had no body,she was only a head! she rolled about while squealing moveing by snout and by jaw happily snuffling for treats whithout use hoof or paw.
i wish i had the book i love it!(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:
Finished it.
ReplyDeleteI did get annoyed with Saren's attitude. She was basically helpless in every way. I just wanted to slap the girl and tell her to buck up. I enjoyed Dashti. She was so positive about everything.
It was fun to see how both these girls grew from their relationship with each other. It was fun to see Dashti turn from someone who behaved like a servant girl into someone who behaved like royalty and the confidence that she gained.
Sometimes we feel stuck in relationships with people who prevent us from being who we really are. This book reminded me that sometimes you need to stand up and break free of those ties if it means it is the only way you can become your best self.