I recommend as a book club read with reservations. It's an easy book, slow at time, but an interesting take on a much-read tale. My reservation is that there isn't a lot of material for discussion or at least I didn't think so (our club did use it as a springboard for a talk about women's positions at the time). A good story.

While Beauty Slept is a back story telling of the fairy story (or is it the Disney story) of Sleeping Beauty. While it starts off a bit slowly establishing necessary linkage and character and history, it picks up speed as it goes. The dialogue is well written. The main characters follow the tale we all know. The alternative explanation for what happened in reality as opposed to the "magical" explanation is plausible. Topics for discussion for a book club could include how treatment of women has changed from perhaps middle ages to now, the role of love vs passion and its importance in a marriage, the role of duty in life whether to family or even job descriptions (being of the ruling family) are all appropriate arising out of this book. I liked it - it was fun and fairly speedy to read as it picked up tempo/speed. It was a different take on that tale and that was also novel.

Elise hears her great granddaughter recount a tale about a beautiful princes awakened by a handsome prince. It pushes open door to the past. For Elise was the companion to the real princess who slumbered - and she is the only one left who knows the truth of what happened so many years ago. As the memories start to unfold, Elise is plunged back into that magnificent world. Fleeing a harsh existence, she builds a new life for herself as a servant to the royal family. Elise has guarded their secrets - and her own - for a lifetime. This is her story.
Not an exceptionally "deep" book, but definitely a fun and interesting read. In fact, i read it two years ago and reread for a book club choice and enjoyed it just as much the second time.