A Corrigan

Bev Humphrey (Reviewer) has just reviewed Labyrinth. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Full Text: For a die hard fan of the Labyrinth film like myself this book of sonnets based on the movie was a no brainier and I downloaded it from Netgalley with alacrity and enthusiasm! The sonnets follow the cinematic tale exactly and I smiled the whole way through, seeing the scenes in my head as I read the rhymes. The poetry is well written and beautifully descriptive, picturing Bowie's face as described brought tears to my eyes. Nostalgic, quick to read but possibly only for existing fans, but what a great Christmas present it would be for them! Kelly Garbato (Reviewer) has just reviewed Labyrinth. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Full Text: The Nostalgia is Strong with This One Perhaps, in childhood, you a movie saw; the title of said film, ‘twas Labyrinth. It told of maiden and companions four, and featured a beguiling goblin king. Now thirty years have passed since its release – in stature has its reputation grown; so much, that this enchanting fantasy is to another generation known. This tale (the most-beloved of my life) I ventured to encapsulate in verse, a true love’s labour; sonnets fifty-five, which now you, gentle reader, may rehearse, commemorating film in poetry – humbly, ‘tis dedicated to Bowie. — 4.5 stars — So apparently the ’80s are making a comeback? As a child of the ’80s, this mostly boggles my mind; between the aesthetics (leg warmers, snap bracelets, hair bands) and the politics (Reagan; Wall Street), there isn’t a whole lot to wax nostalgic about. But while Aquanet and Hammer pants were indeed awful, there is one beacon shining through the gaudy geometric patterns: 80s movies. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The Breakfast Club. The Goonies. E.T. Back to the Future. Pretty in Pink. Adventures in Babysitting. Gremlins. Heathers. The Last Unicorn. The Princess Bride. And, of course, Labyrinth. I watched that movie on a loop. David Bowie. Jareth, the Goblin King. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to dance with him,* or be him. Probably a little bit of both? I dressed up as Jareth one Halloween, though thankfully there is no photographic record of this. My makeup game has never exactly been what you’d call on point. Anyway. I nearly fell out of my seat when I saw that someone had written a sonnet – a whole book of them! – inspired by Labyrinth. I figured it could either be really freaking great, or a total disaster. I was leaning toward the latter, actually, since poetry isn’t normally my thing. I want to like it but, more often than not, I come away with the distinct impression that it mostly just went over my head. Happily, this is not that type of poetry. Anne Corrigan had me at the prologue. I think the exact moment she captured my heart was with the last line, wherein she dedicates the book to the late David Bowie (hallowed be thy name). And it only gets better from there. Corrigan’s is a faithful retelling of Labyrinth in a Shakespeare-lite sonnet form. I say “lite” because it’s much more accessible than Shakespeare – and dare I say more fun, too? Though it’s been years since I watched the film (note to self: must rectify this immediately), her sonnets instantly transported me back there: to the Bog of Eternal Stench; the tunnels underneath the labyrinth; and the castle at its heart. I remembered how much I loved Ludo and his bossy little dog-friend, Sir Didymus, keeper of the bridge. Toby, I’m still undecided on. (Crying babies aren’t any more my bag than they were thirty years ago.) Is this Good Poetry? I have no idea. But it’s fun, heartfelt, and guaranteed to tickle the fangirl in you. It’s the bee’s knees, the owl’s howl, Hoggle’s goggle. Bundle it with: the 30th Anniversary edition of Labyrinth; a Jareth, Hoggle, Sarah with Worm & Ludo Funko! Pop set; and the David Bowie Retrospective and Coloring Book to make a pretty rad gift pack for yourself or a Bowieligious friend. * I was eight, okay. Give me a break! ** Full disclosure: I received a free ebook for review through Netgalley. ** Eloise Birnam-Wood (Reviewer) has just reviewed Labyrinth. Full Text: For many readers, Labyrinth will have been their first introduction to the idea that shining fairytale creatures may come with a sting in the tail. Fairies can bite, and even the Goblin King may prove tricksy and false. It's an idea that's gained traction in both high fantasy and urban fantasy, old novels and new, although the concept draws us back to the earliest retellings of Tam Lin. The literary techniques of Shakespeare, too, have been no stranger to reinterpretation in recent years. A trilogy of Star Wars films have been filtered through the Bard's distinctive style - why shouldn't Labyrinth be next? In this effort, perhaps more than in other recent Shakespeare pastiches, form and content feel appropriate, even harmonious; while Star Wars may be ill-suited to iambic pentameter, the Labyrinth experience feels more naturally open to the poetic form. Indeed, readers more accustomed to poetry than to Jim Henson productions wouldn't be excessively surprised if the Lady of Shallott or the Belle Dame Sans Merci drifted past in the background. And while, in places, Shakespearean posturing may give way too abruptly to modern phrasing, readers might distract themselves by spotting the references to Bowie's other works. Here, adding another level to the author's challenge adds another layer to the readers' enjoyment; what could have been a shallow exercise in form becomes referential and witty, throwing a knowing wink to prove that Corrigan knows her audience. For fans of the film, the book will prove to be a novel way of experiencing a familiar narrative. For poetry aficionados, the remarkable task of relating a film plot through sonnets will be technically striking, if not earth-shattering. And for all of us, the lingering question remains - whatever next? Rose Pettit (Reviewer) has just reviewed Labyrinth. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Full Text: Labyrinth by A. Corrigan is a collection of 55 sonnets written by the author based on the famous Labyrinth movie. This short book takes us on a poetic journey of the classic Labyrinth. There are also mentions of David Bowie from the movie. I liked the way it was turned into poetry as it created a new way to see the movie from a different perspective. I think this would be a good book for anyone interested in Labyrinth and for that matter Bowie also. Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes Chantale F (Reviewer) has just reviewed Labyrinth. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Full Text: This isn't what I usually review but I love Labyrinth so I figured I would read it and review it. It is very well done and I admit I had the movie in my mind just as I was reading this book. Would you purchase this book for yourself or a friend? Yes