AJill, McK. did two versions of Beauty -- one in the early 80's -- her first book, I think, and then she revisted it 20 years later in 2000, I believe.

It's certainly interesting to read them and see the difference in the two books, but as I said, I love the first one best.

Betst, she doesn't like McK? Oh, that's too bad! Who does she like?

I agree with Beverly that although McKinley has grown as an author, there was a certain lightheartedness about the earlier books.

Door in the Hedge had one story that annoyed me; but that was because I didn't agree with the character's decision to turn her back on the magic after she'd accomplished her deed. (Hope that's vague enough to be non-spoily) Me, I would have been rummaging madly through the secret room and being all verklempt over the opportunity.

Betsy - I finished China Court. Thanks for the recommendation! I enjoyed it very much, although one incident at the end pretty much hocked a loogey into the fine Waterford crystal of the story. I'm still angry about it and muttering about just what I would have done.

A lot of people dislike Tehanu--I have to confess here I haven't read it--because they find it a little too polemically feminist

I will spare everyone my knee-jerk rant on this topic, and merely note that including women does not automagically make a book feminist. (Not directed at you, of course, Katie.)

Hey, I'm so excited! I just bought used versions of "The Door in the Hedge" and "A Knot in the Grain" from Amazon!

Why didn't I try that a year ago?

Katerina Bee, what got up your nose? The arranged marriage?

And did you notice who fathered Ripsie's firstborn?

[edited to correct spoiler question]

You know, I've never been all that into LeGuin. I think her non-fiction is fantastic, but for some reason, her fiction leaves me utterly cold.

And I love, love, love the first Beauty. I feel like I should appreciate the second one more (more mature, more insightful, blah, blah, blah) but I just love the first one so much more.

Me too. Might be a question of reading the first one at an impressionable age, but I love it. The second one...I found less accessible. I need to reread it.

I also really like Spindle's End, although I seem to remember that there are some around here who don't. It's a nicely formed world, and I like the characters.

The end of The Hero and the Crown bugs me enough that I prefer The Blue Sword, although once I started writing myself and reading other people's writing critically, there are some bits that come across as stilted to me. But I love Harry.

I have A Door in the Hedge around here somewhere...

Oh, I LOVE A Knot in the Grain. There's one story in that collection--"Buttercups"? I think? That is just redolent of pastoral land-magic.

Shameful confession: I've never read LeGuin. I started A Wizard of Earthsea and it didn't grab me. I wandered away and was never compelled to pick her up again. Over time I think I conflated her with MZ Bradley (gag).

Anyone read The Heaven Tree trilogy by Edith Pargeter, AKA Ellis Peters? I love the Cadfaels and Peters' standalone mysteries, but THT is daunting in sheer size.

(edited for errant apostraphe)

The end of The Hero and the Crown bugs me enough that I prefer The Blue Sword, although once I started writing myself and reading other people's writing critically, there are some bits that come across as stilted to me. But I love Harry

Me, too. I don't understand why Aerin and Luthe fell in love; I was kind of rooting for Tor. And the magic was not explained well; it's like "it's magic! So, believe!" and I have a problem with that now.