”Every man’s life is a fairy tale, written by God’s fingers.”
~Hans christian andersen
Imagine
Observe
Create
A Fascinating Fairy-Tale Analysis Site: WonderLit
Photo by Vlad Zinculescu on Unsplash I would like to share a wonderful resource that I recently was able to explore. It’s called WonderLit and is a site that offers two courses that allow you to delve into a fairy-tale that you resonate with in order to find your own personal meaning in it. Side…
“The Rose and the Ring”: a fairy-tale find that does not disappoint
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash The Consequences of Fortune and Misfortune “I begin to think I do as much harm as good by my performances [fairy gifts]. I might as well shut my incantations up, and allow things to take their natural course.” ~Fairy Blackstick I first came across this tale referenced in the Andrew Lang collection…
“Spells of Enchantment: the wondrous fairy tales of western culture”: story collection review
I would like to share a book that I am ashamed to say has been sitting on my shelf for about a year, unopened…. I happened to pick up this book at a second hand bookshop. I was drawn to its cover and it looked like it had interesting stories in it. Plus it was…
“The Ice Queen”: an unexpected find book review
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash “At night I told myself a story, wordless, inside my head, one I liked far better than those in my books. The girl in my story was treated cruelly, by fate, by her family, even by the weather. Her feet bled from the stony paths; her hair was plucked from her head…
“Night in Bombay”: a book more-or-less-about-life review
Photo by Andriyko Podilnyk on Unsplash The first time I read “Night in Bombay” I was in high school. I don’t remember why exactly, but it became one of my favorite books, and because of it I have always had a wish to travel to India. I decided to read it again, about 10 years later, because I’ve…
“Til We Have Faces”: just read the book! book review
Photo by Sara Darcaj on Unsplash I am astounded at how much I loved this book. It became one of my favorite books overnight basically. I have never been a huge C.S. Lewis fan. I’ve only read “The Chronicles of Narnia” when I was younger, and although I did read them twice they were the…
“Heartstone”: a book review
Here it goes… I finally read a classic literature spin-off! I’ve always intentionally avoided adaptations for the sake of “nothing’s better than the original” argument. Even with being a Jane Austen fan, I’ve never read any of the popular “Pride and Prejudice” sequels such as “Death Comes to Pemberly” or “The Clergyman’s Wife”. However, I…
Six Fairy-Tale Collections I Wish I Had
Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash Every once in a while I will browse the internet or local bookshop for fairy-tale collections to add to my fast growing bookshelf. This weekend I found a new website called bookshop.org. It’s a pretty cool source of affordable books that are old, new, and everywhere in between. It also supports independent…
“Enchantment”: a book review for the fairy-tale fanatic
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash I happened upon this gem of a novel while I was browsing the aisles in the local library. I don’t often find good books this way, to be honest, but this time I got lucky! When I was in high school I read Orson Scott Card’s books “Ender’s Game” and “Ender’s Shadow”,…
Beautiful Words from Five Classic Novels
Photo by Chris Lawton on Unsplash “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good” East of eden by John Steinbeck “Living makes a lot of difference,” Stitch said. “Sooner or later, I guess, you have to make sense in life or get the worst end of everything.” Night in bombay by louis bromfield…
“The Little Mermaid”: leaving the depths of the sea
Photo by Jana Sabeth on Unsplash In my opinion, why would you ever want to leave the sea?! I absolutely love water! Oceans, lakes, beaches, rivers, waterfalls…. I love them all. I love the sound of water running. I love the feel of waves lapping at my feet. I love looking out into the vast ocean and daydreaming.…
Grimm Fairy-Tale Collection: illustrations are everything!
This is a beautiful version of a collection of Grimm Fairy Tales. I found this one when I was looking for illustrated fairy-tales by Arthur Rackham. I happened upon this version, which not only has Rackham illustrations but also Walter Crane. The publisher is The Planet, and here is a link to the version I…
Is Fairy-Tale Fanaticism Healthy?
Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash There was a simple reason for why I loved fairy-tales so much as a child. Escapism. I would literally read for hours on the couch, stopping only for the occasional snack. The Andrew Lang fairy books were some of my favorites because they were tales from all over…
Poetry Corner: Afternoon Tea
Photo by Haley Owens on Unsplash The scent of tea leaves, Steaming teapot, My teacup cradled in my hand. The clink of bone china, The imperfect scone tray, Delicate sugar cubes on display. The ruffle of petticoats, Whispering voices, Palpable manners and lingering stares. Although colored with imagination, Sit up straight and embrace it, An…
Austenland: Movie Review
Photo by Paolo Chiabrando on Unsplash This month has been my most recent Jane Austen spree. It usually occurs 1-2x every year or so. I will get wrapped up in the Regency era and binge watch Jane Austen and read some of her novels and start a Jane Austen bookclub. Yup, that happened once. Oh…
Jane Austen
Photo by Elaine Howlin on Unsplash How has Jane Austen, and her six most well-known novels, survived so well through history? There have been many other books throughout the ages that have captivated generations, and although their titles might be well-known, the details often fade with time. But I would say that Jane Austen’s modern…
“The Children’s Wonder Book”: A look into 1933
I have a weakness for vintage books. I look for them every time I’m at the thrift store. I try not to search online, but sometimes I cave. This one I found when I was on a roll researching old fairy tale versions/books. It is a beautiful diverse collection of stories originally published in 1933…
“Aesop’s Fables”: a review
Today I would like to highlight a beautiful version of Aesop’s Fables that I found recently. Look at how beautiful these illustrations are!! I absolutely love story books that have intricate and involved pictures. This artist is Heidi Holder; I wasn’t familiar with her until I came across this book. Almost every single page has…
Tatterhood! A Beautiful Rediscovery of Fairy-Tales and Folk-Tales
I just rediscovered this book of tales that my mom used to read to me as a child. It is called “Tatterhood and other Tales”, and is edited by Ethel Johnston Phelps with illustrations by Pamela Baldwin Ford. This is a link where you can find it and check it out for yourself. The cover…
“The Wild Swans”: the silent years
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash I promised I would speak a bit more about the Scandinavian fairy-tale “The White Swans”. See my previous blog post about it. I would highly recommend reading the story first. I got my version from this book: I tried to google the fairy-tale to see if there was a…
“The Wild Swans”: a Snow White tale
I was able to recently purchase the beautiful fairy-tale book told by Gwyn Jones called Scandinavian Legends and Folk-Tales. I would highly recommend it. I absolutely love the writing style and the collection is wonderful. Today, as I spent a much needed break from schoolwork outside in the grass, I opened the pages to the…
“Prince Lindworm”: instructions not followed
Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash This is my second post about this wonderful Scandinavian folk-tale, Prince Lindworm. For this post I want to focus on the concept of direction in stories and why it is so hard for fairy-tale characters to follow instructions! In this fairy-tale the Queen is the first character to be given clear instructions.…
A Review of Online Sources for Books and Stories
Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash Scribd I just found this site recently. It basically has an ALMOST unlimited amount of novels, magazines, audiobooks, textbooks, etc…. It has exceeded my expectations! The only down-side is that you can’t download or add the books to your kindle; basically you have to read everything on the web. The first month…
Poetry Corner: To Breathe Your Breath
To Breathe Your Breath By Katarina Spaic Love is an indescribable phenomenon. The human race has never agreed upon a description, Except for “you cannot help who you fall in love with”. Why does love take you by surprise? Is it because we are so focused on the physical, The material and the superficial, That…
“Prince Lindworm”: where to find the Gwyn Jones version
I found a place to get the Gwyn Jones retold version of Prince Lindworm! The compilation of tales is called Scandinavian Legends and Folk-Tales. I was hoping to find a free version online, but this is second best. It looks like a wonderful book that has a plethora of tales told in Gwyn Jones’ humorous…
“Prince Lindworm”: perseverance
“Our miseries are always our own. There is no one in the world can help me.” -Prince Lindworm Retold by gwyn jones Wow, I just finished reading Prince Lindworm for the first time and it might be one of my favorite fairy-tales yet! I am so inspired that I actually want to write a few…
Poetry Corner: The Rock Giant
Photo by Ilya Mirnyy on Unsplash The Rock Giant By Katarina Spaic Being a burden, That crushing pile of rock on your soul, You are always leaving something behind, Piling your extra dust on another person. That guilt, That inconsolable want to be free of the armor, It’s heavy and bulky, You cannot frolick with it’s weight. I…
coffee. reflections.
By Katarina Spaic There is something so recuperating about sitting by the window, on a rainy day, sipping coffee from a mug that’s just the right size. I am very particular about my mugs; I haven’t the faintest idea why. It must be the perfect rounded shape. I like the ones that fit in the…
Poetry Corner: The Avoided Destiny
Photo by Andalucía Andaluía on Unsplash The Avoided Destiny By Katarina Spaic Feeling wild, Uncontrollable, Unable to stop and think for one second, I’m on to the next. Not even sure why, Except I didn’t belong there. Searching, Always, For something that Has not presented itself yet. I have accomplished nothing, And it makes me feel useless. Sand…
“Catherine and Her Destiny”: the harmful nature of avoidance and the unappreciated gift
“…which would you rather have- a happy youth or a happy old age?” -catherine and her destiny *see the poem I wrote that was inspired by this fairy-tale* Link to the Pink Fairy Tale Book (which has the fairy-tale Catherine and Her Destiny) on Scribd. You will need a subscription to view the chapter with…
Poetry Corner: A Coin of Contemplation
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash A Coin of Contemplation By Katarina Spaic I need quiet, A place to be, To only hear and smell of nature, And me. It’s all the bare bones out here, No fluff or frills clouding my judgment, And yet I am still confused, Nothing is as it seems. Or rather things become…
Poetry Corner: A Simple Poem About Love and Human Nature
Is it possible to just sit there and love,With no possession, no immersion. Can you just observe,And allow your feelings to flow freely. Unattached and unobserved by others,No bindings or chains. Can you love with a completely open heart,Not holding back or withdrawing. And not claim ownership over that which your affections draw near. *If…
“The Goose Girl”: a time for recuperation
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash Today I realized that I hadn’t shampooed my hair in a week! Interestingly enough, this social distancing lockdown we’re going through might have repercussions in social areas, but for my hair it’s been great. I have naturally not been washing it as often because I’m not going anywhere physically, and in…
Poetry Corner: Memories of a Puella
** See “Peter Pan” Blog Post ** https://throughthecatseyeblog.wordpress.com/?p=184 Memories By Katarina Spaic One lone firefly, In my loosely closed fist. I uncurl my fingers slightly, And then watch it fly away, free My eyes follow it, Like only a child’s can, With absolute wonderment, And absorption in that one, tiny firefly. It is a memory,…
“Peter Pan”: the conflict between childhood and growing up
By Katarina Spaic I recently watched the 2003 film “Peter Pan”, and was reminded of what a great story it is. J. M. Barrie really touched many souls with his playwright and novel. It’s no surprise he did, because he wrote of something that everyone can relate to when they reach a certain age; the process…
Poetry Corner: She Flew and Didn’t Look Back
Photo by David Hofmann on Unsplash She Flew… By Katarina Spaic She flew and didn’t look back. Her glowing long hair followed her, And created a multipersonal halo shrouding her being. She was glorious, She was sharp, She was only her. The broken cage had crumbled to dust below her feet, In the land she…
My Top 10 Illustrated Fairy-Tale Books
From a young age I have adored and cherished fairy-tale books. Here is a list of my top 10 most beautifully illustrated storybooks. Cinderella illustrated by K. Y. Craft Each illustration has so much detail packed into the pages! Even just this cover page is brimming with imagination and creativity in one figure. K. Y.…
Poetry Corner: Redemption of The Evil Queen
See “Little Snow White: reflections” blog post! Redemption of the Evil Queen By Katarina Spaic My mirror is a twisted fate.A beautiful work of art,Yet uncontrollable and overflowing with grotesque potential. I reach my hand out and caress it.I think it is my friend,But I’m not sure. It’s a reflective illusion that tells the truth,Of…
Poetry Corner: Mirrors
See “Little Snow White: reflections” blog post! Mirrors By Katarina Spaic A mirror is a curious thing. She sees herself reflected in the water, Her bathroom mirror, The glass panes of a shop window… And each tell her different things. She is beautiful some days In her bathroom mirror, Ugly on others. She sees through…
“Little Snow White”: reflections within
By Katarina Spaic ”If only I had a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood of the window frame.“ -Grimm Brothers (Little Snow White) Link to the Little Snow White fairy-tale version I read from Scribd: You will need a subscription to view the chapter with Snow…
Through the Cat’s Eye Blog Introduction
Welcome to my blog! My name is Katarina Spaic and I have just started dipping my toes into the land of blogging. This is the first time I have done anything like it, and my goal for this initial post is to shed a little light on what my vision is for this blog, Through…
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Through the Cat's Eye Blog 