"You can weave your life so long — only so long, and then a thing in the world out of your control will tug at one vital threat and leave you patternless and subdued."

Like the best fairy tales, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld uses the language of myth and fantasy to explore experiential truths, especially the joy - and sorrow - that comes with solitude, companionship, childhood, and motherhood. Very highly recommended.