Imagine walking through an ancient forest where mythical dragons aren't just the stuff of legends but very real creatures playing hide-and-seek among the towering pines. This is the world Patricia C. Wrede explores in her delightful novel, Dealing with Dragons. First published in 1990, this whimsical tale reimagines what it means to defy expectations in a magical kingdom where a princess named Cimorene refuses to ride the so-called normal wave of life laid out before her. Instead, she hurdles the crashing wave of predictability, finding herself in the company of dragons in a kingdom of her own making—a surprising journey for a princess in distress.
Wrede's Dealing with Dragons lights up the fantasy genre with humor and grit, combining both classic fairy tale tropes and unexpected twists. It’s part of a larger series called The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, but it stands alone magnificently. Cimorene is not your run-of-the-mill princess. Her intelligence sets her apart in a world that insists on keeping women in ornate cages. Mixing courage with sass, Cimorene challenges societal norms that dictate how women—or anyone, really—are supposed to fit into predefined boxes.
There’s a persistent conversation around the story’s relevance today, especially in a world that is increasingly driven by the need to question established norms. Cimorene personifies resilience and independence, qualities that resonate with Gen Z, a generation who grew up questioning the narratives sold to them about who they should be. The novel offers a reflection of reality through the lens of fantasy, inviting readers, young and old, to question the boundaries placed upon them, subtly encouraging the rebellion against the status quo that many find compelling.
Yet, the dragons themselves serve a dual role. They are both spinners of wisdom and fierce creatures unapologetic about their nature. This duality presents readers with a challenge: to understand that not every established rule in life is there to be broken. Some exist for protection, for wisdom, much like the dragons that form boundaries around their realm. It challenges the reader not to blindly reject authority but to understand the value of rules that are placed there with just cause.
Cimorene’s adventures are distinctly layered with metaphorical crumbs that invite deeper exploration. There’s a narrative thread running through the book that toys with the idea that authority isn't inherently evil—it's how it's wielded that makes a difference. The stubborn resistance to conformity posed by the book’s dragons serves as a metaphor for our societal institutions at their best, testing the reader to discern the difference.
The opposing viewpoint here isn't just that conformity exists, but that sometimes it’s comforting. There's a security in predictability, in knowing the next step on the ladder of life. For some, Cimorene’s rejection of queenly duties and princely unions might seem reckless, a step too far from the line of safety. But the beauty of Wrede’s narrative is its ability to embrace both the desire for control and the yearning for freedom. It’s a balancing act that every generation negotiates, but perhaps, Gen Z feels it more acutely—trying to knit the patterns of old with threads of radical new designs.
Wrede’s writing, filled with bursts of comedic dialogue and intricate plotting, invites readers to a world of imagination where dragons and witches carry their own brand of magic that’s both chaotic and ordered. One feels invited into a conversation where fantasy becomes a playground for dissecting reality, exploring issues from feminism and societal norms to personal freedom.
The dragons, beings that live on the border of myth and reality, create a compelling backdrop for Cimorene’s story. They challenge and guide her, symbolizing both fearsome obstacles and wise mentors. This mirrors real life, where each generation faces its own dragons—challenges unique to their time yet universal in nature. And just as Cimorene finds allies in these mythical creatures, the story implies that understanding our personal and societal dragons can lead to personal growth and societal progress.
In talking about dragons, both literal and metaphorical, Dealing with Dragons becomes more than mere fantasy. It’s an exploration of our potential to rewrite our stories. A book like this rides the wave of fantasy while grounding its readers, nudging them towards introspection and growth in a manner that respects the past but isn't afraid to forge a vibrant, uncharted future. This resonance is what keeps Wrede’s story relevant even decades after it first hit the shelves, proving its worth as both entertainment and a symbolic roadmap for navigating life’s complex terrains.