Jane Yolen's novel Briar Rose is a harrowing story of Sleeping Beauty intertwined with the horrors of the Jewish Holocaust. Yolen portrays the difference between fairy tale and ugly reality through this novel. The character, Gemma, tells a story called Briar Rose to her three nieces whenever she is with them. Gemma's identity at the beginning of the novel is hidden and Becca, Gemma's granddaughter, is on a journey to reveal and discover the truth about her identity and Briar Rose. The truth ends up being that Gemma is the Briar Rose she talks about in her stories. During this journey, Becca discovers not only her grandmother's identity but her own as well. Becca grows up and realizes that her grandmother chose her to find the truth because she and Becca are very similar. Through structure, techniques, and themes, Briar Rose has proven to be a good book. The structure of the novel makes Briar Rose a good book. The multiple narrative layers help communicate the story that is happening in the novel. First, Gemma tells the story of Briar Rose which is actually a metaphor for Gemma's life. The references to fairy tales seem to deepen the story of Gemma's suffering from the Holocaust and connect them to the entire cultural tradition of good and evil, suffering and rescue, search and ultimately finding. Next, Becca embarks on a quest to uncover Gemma's past. There's a sense that there's more to the story than just "Sleeping Beauty." Even though she hits many dead ends and gets little information, she is still determined to reveal the truth behind Briar Rose. Eventually, Becca discovers Josef Potiocki, who tells Becca and Magda about his experience of the Holocaust. Gives all the answers that Magda, Becca,...... middle of paper...... identity. Theme's identity plays an important role in the novel when it comes to discovering Gemma's past. This reminds readers that identity is important because it is about knowing who a person's self is and giving insight into where they come from. There are many themes in this story, but the main theme is that a person never gives up in what they do and always has a true sense of self. In conclusion, Briar Rose teaches a person that memories are important not only for his life. himself but also towards others. Through structure, techniques, and themes, Jane Yolen told this story in a unique yet clear way. . Yolen's brilliance really shines through in this novel as she brings together the fairy tale and the Holocaust. Briar Rose is a good book that will lead readers into unspeakable brutality and horror, but will also lead them to redemption and hope..