Goose Girl Again *****

I started re-reading The Goose Girl finally and I am once again, loving it. It is only the 2nd novel that I have read more than once. I think re-reading books is great, I am picking up so much more. More details, more story, more magic. Its such a wonderful book. Here are a few things that I am enjoying,

I liked at the beginning when the queen whispered, "You are a princess, open your eyes" and nothing happened. With the people speaking gift, I imagine she thought that would be all she had to do. This could mean many different things, some theories: a)people speaking doesn't work on babies, b)suggests that Ani is stronger than she thought, or c)indicates that the word on Ani's tongue (nature speaking) was more powerful than the people speaking on her mother's.

The first time through I was completely confused by the handkerchief that the queen gave Ani and Ani's interpretation of it. This time through I kind of understood that Ani believed that a mother's love can be magical (ala Harry Potter?). This made so much more sense to me as to why she would believe such things. I can't believe I missed it the first time.

I am hearing so much more description and detail. I love this world they live in. Shannon Hale does a terrific job making things understandable.

I also am enjoying the social commentary. I just read the scene where the workers are discussing the "yellow princess" and all their judgments. I found it very interesting that Ani is honest enough with herself that she catches herself from agreeing too readily because she could very well have been the one they were discussing. It is so, so true to how we work in this society.

That's about it for now, I'm about 1/3 of the way through it.

edited because I finished the book today

WOW! I can't believe that I couldn't put it down again. It was great! I was excited, my heart was racing when Ani was being chased by Ungolad, I was sooooo eager for her to meet Talone. The end was just as rewarding for me this time through. More of my favorite things include:

When Ani is beginning to learn goose talk, she has to listen very carefully because geese talk over each other like "old men who can't hear." Very funny!

I love that Geric had to practice her name trying to memorize it. Though this could go in the romance thread, I'll say it here, I liked the interaction with him seeing her leg and not being embarrassed to say that it was a "very fine leg."

I loved that Ani showed her stuff at the stables to those stable hands who thought she was going to be seriously injured. Seriously, what kind of guys are those? They really think this horse is dangerous and they just let her do what she wants.

Ani is seriously awesome! I was so proud of her this time through all the time Selia was trying to coax her to just admit she was lying. Her resolve to save Kildenree was extremely moving.

OK, enough of my rambling. Tell me what you liked and didn't like. Is this a book you would read again?