With a definite fairy tale vibe, Nøtteknekkeren is a modern-day version of a story by E.T.A. Hoffmann (‘The Nutcracker and the Mouse King’) that was used as the basis for ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet, first performed in 1982. Felicitas Ivey’s version focuses on the first act and ends just after the beginning of the second act. And while much of the story was very familiar, her changes made for an interesting, fantasy-like read with a beginning in reality and a slow transition to the realm of dreams or maybe a different reality. But that is just my personal take on it, you might give it a different interpretation.

Thijs is a troubled young man. He was in a severe accident ten years earlier, one in which his parents died, and he lost most of his memory. Despite years of therapy, and his cruel brother Rik’s insistence that he is crazy, Thijs remembers Christmas at his Uncle Yvo’s place as a magical time. This year, Thijs has finally managed to convince Rik to attend Uncle Yvo’s Christmas party again, and what Thijs finds is much more than he bargained for. As Thijs learns the truth of what happened, his understanding of reality changes.

The transition from the reality we are all familiar with and the one that only Thijs and his uncle Yvo know is gradual. It goes from vague memories about dreams Thijs thinks he had, to that dream becoming reality when he returns downstairs once everyone has gone to bed on Christmas Eve. Thijs is hesitant to see events as anything but a dream at first, but that too slowly changes. His thoughts as all this happens and when he makes the final decision about which “reality” he wants to stay in were fascinating and pulled me into this other world right alongside him. I only wish the author would have shown me more of the second act – I was not ready for the story to end!

If you like fairy tales and fantasy, if you enjoy magical events and are interested in a journey away from reality, and if you’re looking for an entertaining story where the main character finally manages to find his destiny and happiness, then you might like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )