Title: Goose Chase
Author: Patrice Kindl
First published March 26, 2001
224 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780142302088 (ISBN10: 0142302082)
Rating: 3.76
Overview
When Alexandria, a simple goose girl, offers her food and water to an old woman, she never expected to be transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful lady. Her tears turn into diamonds, and her hair becomes a shower of gold.
While Alexandria wishes to return to her old life, a prince and a king are fighting for her hand. They lock her in a tower for her safety, but she knows she must escape.
In this hilarious and witty fairy tale retelling by Patrice Kindl, Alexandria’s adventure begins as she attempts to flee the tower, only to find herself in even more trouble. With Kindl’s unique voice and clever writing, this tale takes flight in unexpected ways.
About the Author
I was born in 1951 in Alplaus, New York as the youngest of four daughters to my father who is a mechanical engineer and my mother who is a housewife. My family is wonderful, and I adore all of them.
As a child, I had a great love for animals and reading.
Growing up, my family had a cottage on Lake George where our next-door neighbors became lifelong friends. During my childhood summers, the two houses were filled with ten females, and no males were present.
Due to this, I feel like I understand girls better than boys, which is why I primarily write for girls.
After high school, I went to Webster College in St. Louis, Missouri, which was a well-respected theater school at the time. I attended for a year and a half before dropping out and heading to New York City for a more legitimate drama school.
During this time, I did some television commercials, modeled, and worked as a waitress.
After a few years of this, I realized that I wasn’t going anywhere fast, so I moved back upstate and began working as a secretary at a consulting engineering firm called Encotech. I worked there full-time at first, but after getting married and giving birth to my son, Alex, I switched to part-time.
This job helped me become an excellent touch typist, which comes in handy as a writer.
I only started writing seriously when I was in my late thirties and was first published in my early forties. While working on my first book, “Owl in Love,” I participated in a program called Helping Hands, where I raised two monkeys to be aides for quadriplegics.
You can see pictures of Kandy and Susi, the monkeys, on the website.
My husband, Paul, and I met at Encotech, where he is now the president. Alex is now 25 and part of an art rock band called Bible Study (which has no religious connotations) that rehearses in our home above my office.
I’m fortunate to think that they’re great musicians, and the band’s vocalist is one of the few female Master Falconers in America. When they’re in town, we also have several hawks or falcons around.
Editoral Review
Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl is a charming and humorous adventure novel that delights readers of all ages. Patrice Kindl is an accomplished author known for her works in the young adult genre, and her wit and creativity are on full display in this book.
With its intriguing plot, endearing characters and magical setting, the book provides readers with a captivating read from start to finish. Set in a fictional kingdom called St. Oxford, Goose Chase follows the story of Alexandria Aurora Fortuna, a clever and brave young woman, who embarks on a perilous journey to secure a goose for her rich and eccentric aunt.
Along the way, she encounters several eccentric characters, including a gargoyle, a talking horse, and a pair of mischievous twins, who help and hinder her in equal measure. At its heart, Goose Chase is a story about self-discovery, perseverance, and the power of friendship.
Alexandria proves to be a strong and independent protagonist, who overcomes various challenges and obstacles with her quick wit, resourcefulness, and determination. Her character development is well executed, and readers can relate to her struggles, hopes, and dreams.
The book is set in a richly imagined fantasy world, with vivid descriptions of the various locations, customs, and creatures that Alexandria encounters. The authors command of language is impressive and adds depth and nuance to the story.
The books themes of identity, family, and loyalty are subtly woven into the narrative, providing readers with valuable lessons and insights. On the downside, the books pacing is slow at times, and some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped.
However, these issues do not detract much from the overall enjoyment of the book. In conclusion, Goose Chase is an imaginative and engaging book that will enchant both young and old readers alike.
It is a delightful escape from the real world, and its themes and messages are relevant and timely. Patrice Kindl has crafted a memorable story that will remain in the hearts and minds of its readers long after the final page.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun and meaningful read. Rating: 4/5
