Recommended story

[resonant]

The kidlet (4) has an inexplicable fondness for highly formal, old-fashioned stories. One favorite is "The Griffin and the Minor Canon" by Frank Stockton, in a little book illustrated by Maurice Sendak.

No, it's not a slash story, but it has a feel to it that I see in some of the better HP slash stories. It is, in its own understated way, a romance, I think. And I can't help comparing the griffin to Snape.

"Do you know," said the monster, when he had finished, "that I have had, and still have, a great liking for you?"

"I am very glad to hear it," said the Minor Canon, with his usual politeness.

"I am not at all sure that you would be," said the Griffin, "if you thoroughly understood the state of the case."

The Griffin and the Minor Canon.

Comments

[violetisblue.livejournal.com]

Now that brings back memories--we read it back in junior high and the title sounded unusual enough that it always stuck with me. Thanks for the link.

[mijra.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with your comparison to the feel of some of the better HP slash stories, though I did not fully see what you were getting at until the very end.

I hesitate to compare the griffin to Snape, except in his self-sacrificing and formality despite his bent towards "evil" (or, here, human consumption). Some of the better-written but still OC Snapes make a closer approximation to the griffin, in my opinion, but I still hesitate.

In my opinion, romance is best and reads loudest when understated.

As inexplicable as such a fondness is, I share it and always have. Extremely satisfying were Oscar Wilde's fairytales. It's possible they aren't appropriate; I don't know how old your kidlet is, or if you are (or she is) familiar with them.

Thanks for bringing the story to my attention! Much enjoyed.

[reading through resmiranda's friend-list]

[kattahj.livejournal.com]

Ooh! I have this book in translation ("Draken och prasten"). It's such a lovely story.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh, man. That was just so beautiful. Thank you so much for reccing it.

Persephone