The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith reviewed by fellow author Neil McGarry.
I’m not a fan of fairy tales and never have been. In fairy tales, the villains are easily detected, the moral choices simple, and the endings utterly predictable. (“And they lived happily ever after.”) So I’ll admit that I picked up The Reflections of Queen Snow White with trepidation, but I ended it with genuine appreciation.
Most of us are at least passing familiar with the tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but Reflections, by David Meredith picks up the story decades later, when White is queen of the kingdom and dealing with her daughter’s impending wedding, while mourning the death of Prince Charming a year before. Unable to cope with her grief, White stumbles across the mirror-mirror-on-the wall that gave her wicked stepmother the 411 on who was truly the fairest of all. Her experience with that mirror makes up the great part of the story, as she explores the events of her storied past and what it means in the here and now.
Rarely does a storybook princess reflect seriously upon her life, and Meredith takes a chance in writing a story about one who does. His bet pays off. I found myself wanting to know more about how Snow White’s review of her trials and travails would impact her current situation; if a magic mirror does nothing more than provide perspective, then it truly is wondrous.
For me, that wonder came through and more than made up for prose that was wavered now and again, and for a first chapter that was slow to start. Also, the side characters’ voices aren’t very distinctive, but since Reflections is a character study of Snow White, that’s a minor criticism.All things considered, the strengths of the story outweigh the weaknesses and bode well for David Meredith’s next literary effort.
Fairy tales always have a happy ending, and in this regard Reflections of Queen Snow White is no exception. For me, “happily ever after” never ended quite so happily.
