Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Quercus NA (2014), 458 pages
Description
In the grand tradition of the Brothers Jacob and Wilhelm, some of the today's finest fantasy and horror writers have created their own brand-new fairy tales--but with a decidedly darker twist. Fearie Tales is a fantastical mix of spellbinding retelling of classic stories such as Cinderella, Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, and Rumpelstiltskin, along with unsettling tales inspired by other children's classics, all interspersed with the original tales of their inspiration. These modern masterpieces of the macabre by Neil Gaiman, Garth Nix, Ramsey Campbell, Joanne Harris, Markus Heitz, John Ajvide Lindquist, Angela Slatter, Michael Marshall Smith, and many others, and are illustrated by Oscar-winning artist Alan Lee.
User reviews
LibraryThing member gnomereviews
I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss.
Fearie Tales: Stories of the Grimm and Gruesome is a collection of frightening short stories inspired by fairy tales. The fairy tales are re-imagined in a modern setting, but they’re just as terrifying and gruesome as the original Grimm
Many of the stories are inspired by the same fairy tales: Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Hansel and Gretel came up a few times. Each author puts a different spin on the story. Other authors chose to seek inspiration outside of the Grimm stories, and chose folk and fairy tales from other parts of the world.
“Come Unto Me,” a story by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, is a terrifying story based on the tomte of Swedish folklore. Tension builds throughout the story, leading to an ending that is both ambiguous and horrifying.
“The Silken Drum,” written by Reggie Oliver, is another standout. A man rents out his cottage to a Japanese woman and her son, and while she’s quite charming, she’s also a little bit… off.
“The Silken People,” by Joanne Harris, is a cautionary tale, in the tradition of the original fairy tales. A girl wants to see the leader of the Silken People, the Lacewing King, though her one-eyed nurse warns her away from him. She doesn’t listen.
This book is a very entertaining read, though you may want to sleep with the lights on afterwards.
Rating: 4 Gnomes out of 5
This review originally appeared on gnomereviews.ca.
Fearie Tales: Stories of the Grimm and Gruesome is a collection of frightening short stories inspired by fairy tales. The fairy tales are re-imagined in a modern setting, but they’re just as terrifying and gruesome as the original Grimm
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stories.Many of the stories are inspired by the same fairy tales: Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Hansel and Gretel came up a few times. Each author puts a different spin on the story. Other authors chose to seek inspiration outside of the Grimm stories, and chose folk and fairy tales from other parts of the world.
“Come Unto Me,” a story by Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, is a terrifying story based on the tomte of Swedish folklore. Tension builds throughout the story, leading to an ending that is both ambiguous and horrifying.
“The Silken Drum,” written by Reggie Oliver, is another standout. A man rents out his cottage to a Japanese woman and her son, and while she’s quite charming, she’s also a little bit… off.
“The Silken People,” by Joanne Harris, is a cautionary tale, in the tradition of the original fairy tales. A girl wants to see the leader of the Silken People, the Lacewing King, though her one-eyed nurse warns her away from him. She doesn’t listen.
This book is a very entertaining read, though you may want to sleep with the lights on afterwards.
Rating: 4 Gnomes out of 5
This review originally appeared on gnomereviews.ca.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Basically what it says on the tin. Old Grimm stories, translated and not Disneyfied, bracketing new Grimm-inspired stories by authors including Neil Gaiman, Michael Marshall Smith, Tanith Lee, and Brian Hodge. Robert Shearman’s take on Hansel and Gretel was quite creepy, and the volume ends with
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a bang with John Ajvide Linqvist’s story of a household spirit who will ensure a family’s prosperity … for a small price. Show Less
Awards
British Fantasy Award (Nominee — Anthology — 2014)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
458 p.; 6.38 inches
ISBN
1623658063 / 9781623658069
Local notes
A mix of fairy tale retellings, interspersed with the sources of their inspiration, the tales of the Brothers Grimm.
Edited by Stephen Jones, Britain's best-known anthologist of dark tales, and illustrated by Oscar-winning artist Alan Lee, who also provided the magnificent cover, with stories by Neil Gaiman; Joanne Harris; Garth Nix; John Ajvide Lindqvist; Markus Heitz; Michael Marshall Smith; Angela Slatter; Robert Shearman; Christopher Fowler; Ramsey Campbell; Peter Crowther; Brian Hodge; Brian Lumley; Reggie Oliver and Tanith Lee.
Edited by Stephen Jones, Britain's best-known anthologist of dark tales, and illustrated by Oscar-winning artist Alan Lee, who also provided the magnificent cover, with stories by Neil Gaiman; Joanne Harris; Garth Nix; John Ajvide Lindqvist; Markus Heitz; Michael Marshall Smith; Angela Slatter; Robert Shearman; Christopher Fowler; Ramsey Campbell; Peter Crowther; Brian Hodge; Brian Lumley; Reggie Oliver and Tanith Lee.