Location: Russia/New York Type: Physical Book
Timeline: Linear Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/Christmas
Narration: 1st person (Natasha)
Review:
Stars: 4
The Nutcracker is such a beloved story in my heart. I have so many fond memories around this ballet and its characters. This story puts an interesting and dark twist to the classic. Johansen gives us a new character that melds into the story beautifully. This new character provides a magical canvas to so many twists, turns and changes. This is such a worth-while read for all who enjoy the classics but also appreciates a bit of darkness and mystery.
Sex:
Mentioned without deep detail
Language:
Fuck: 1
Ass: 0
Bitch: 3
Shit: 1
GD: 0
Cunt/Pussy: 0
Dick/Cock: 0
L in V: 3
Bastard: 2
Triggers:
None
Questions:
Clara and Natasha are pitted against each other from the very beginning. The blessed and the cursed. The beauty and the ugly. The light and the dark.
Why do so many tales and stories have this dynamic?
People lived in fear of Drosselmeyer and the control he had over people's lives.
Who do we live in fear of today (if any)?
Does fear equal respect?
Why or why not?
When it is announced that Clara and Conrad would wed, Natasha was in shock.
Who was betrayed in this deal?
Who benefited from it? And how?
Who (if anyone) was happy because of this situation?
What do you do when "sorry" is not good enough?
Who is hurt when there is no forgiveness?
Was Natasha's initial reaction/response toward Clara after the engagement announcement justified?
How would you handle the situation if you were Natasha?
Have you experienced something similar?
Clara and Natasha got to walk through Clara's dream world....one made of sweets.
What would your dream would be made of?
What are your opinions of the Sugar Plum Fairy?
Is she good or bad?
Natasha was able to attend her own funeral while inside Clara's body. Few people attended. It did not seem like the funeral anyone would expect.
Who is someone you would be sad if they did not attend your funeral?
What is something you would like to happen at your funeral or memorial service?
"I still loved him, or thought I did, but as such moments I did not respect him."
Can you love someone without respecting them?
Can you respect someone you do not love?
"Perhaps, long before, he had even made such a deal himself, not wholly understanding what it might mean, because of course we couldn't, we were human, unable to see the entirety of consequences."
Share your thoughts on this quote.
Can we know the entirely of consequence?
Why or why not?
If Natasha had it all to do over again, do you think she would have killed Clara?
How do you think the story would have gone if Natasha had not killed Clara?
"Was anyone ever content with the choices they made in youth? Perhaps not, or perhaps it had nothing to do with age. Perhaps we were all fools until life taught us better, showed us what had been before our eyes all along."
Did your better judgment come with age or experience?
Which is more important: age or experience?
Are the two connected or mutually exclusive?
Share a choice made in your youth you wish you could change.
How would your life today be different?
Do you think Natasha would be a good Queen of Spades?
Why or why not?
Why do you think Natasha and Clara never came back together in life?
How does this story compare to the original?
Which do you like more?
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