Odette

by Jessica Duchen

When a swan crashes through her window at the height of a winter storm, journalist Mitzi Fairweather decides to nurse the injured bird back to health. But at sunset, the swan becomes a woman.

This unexpected visitor is Odette, the swan princess – alone, adrift and in danger in 21st-century Britain, entirely dependent on the kindness of strangers. Bird by day, human by night, and with no way to go home, she remains convinced, to Mitzi’s distress, that only a man’s vow of eternal love can break her spell.

Mitzi is determined to help Odette, but as the two try to hide the improbable truth, their web of deception grows increasingly tangled. Can they find a way to save Odette before it’s too late?

• ISBN13: 9781789650006
• Publish Date: 29 November 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 12 July 2023
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Unbound
• Imprint: Unbound Digital
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Language: English

Reviews

[Lynn]

3.5 stars

'Tis the season to curl up and enjoy a magical modern-day fairy tale. Odette is a twenty-first-century retelling of Swan Lake.

It's more years than I care to remember when I saw the Swan Lake ballet at a theatre so, I read a little about the original story and origins before reading this novel, for no other reason than curiosity. My decision to do so in no way impacts my thoughts on this novel. 

Living in the delightfully named fictitious town of Cygnford, single Mitzi Fairweather is a journalist with financial woes. When a swan crashes through the window of her rented flat, she's relieved the poor bird is alive, albeit injured. After taking the bird to see a vet, she decides to keep the bird at her home, while it recovers, only to find a woman in its place the following day.

There's plenty to appreciate in Ms Duchen's interpretation of Swan Lake. Her descriptions of the scenes and characters are laced with musical references which adds a wonderful depth to the narrative. Also included are topical references to today's society firmly cementing the authenticity of this contemporary narrative. The ending is a surprise and one which panders to my own personal reading taste, which is perfect. I love a novel which keeps on giving after the final words have been read and I'm lost in thought.

The writing flows at a steady pace to keep the reader invested in the narrative as it unfolds. It includes a strong message about the power of friendship which deviates away from a romance I was expecting. For me, there's a lack of emotion, a missing 'je ne sais quoi' to elevate this enchanting story to another level. Yet despite this, I still appreciated this adaptation.

Overall, an enjoyable novel with broad appeal especially at this festive time of year.

***Review copy generously received courtesy of the publisher***