Book Review: Pan’s Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro and Cornelia Funke

Katherine Tegen Books
TBP: July 2nd 2019
272 Pages

This book is not for the faint of heart or weak in spirit. It’s not for skeptics who don’t believe in fairy tales and the powerful forces of good. It’s only for brave and intrepid souls like you, who will stare down evil in all its forms.

Inspired by the critically acclaimed film written and directed by Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro and reimagined by New York Times bestselling author Cornelia Funke, this haunting tale takes readers to a darkly magical and war-torn world filled with richly drawn characters like trickster fauns, murderous men, child-eating monsters, courageous rebels, and a long-lost princess hoping to be reunited with her family.- Goodreads

I didn’t know I needed this book until I saw that it was coming. This is my first arc approved through Edelweiss + and to say that I didn’t boot my kindle up the moment that I received that approval email would be a lie.

This books is almost exactly like the movie. However, there is a lot of context that isn’t in the movie. For instance, you find out more details about what happened for prior to Ofelia entering the picture. Also each task that Ofelia has to complete has a very specific story that is connected to the lost princess and her family.

I loved it and I loved it not because the movie is completely embedded in my heart but because this is a fairy tale in every aspect. Each word offers a lightness that even when you know (well that is if you saw the movie) what is about to happen, you don’t feel overwhelmed with heaviness. There is hope but also an unforgettable sadness that sticks with you throughout the book.

Each “side” story brings you closer to understanding the role of each character; because you already know about Ofelia, you are, for a lack of better term, living her story. What this book gives you is the details. What happened when Ofelia left the underground? How did those that love her deal? Was Ofelia the only Ofelia? These are questions that weren’t answered in the movie but was answered with more than what you initially thought you wanted in the book.

From beginning to end, I was sucked back into the story and although I have watched the movie so many times, it felt new and I credit that to add the additional stories and not making this book just a play by play of the movie.

I have every intention of purchasing the physical book when it releases in July.

5 Pickles