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billymac1962's review
2.0
This was something I had been looking for all of my adult life: darker re-telling of classic fairy tales. It's probably the reason this was a disappointment. These aren't so much as re-tellings as they are alternate tellings to the point where where they where for the most part unrecognizable.
There are a few standouts, such as Neil Gaiman's re-telling of The Billy Goats Gruff (which reminds me I must return
to Gaiman's Sandman comics soon) and Gahan Wilson's take on The Frog Prince, but the rest left me cold. I guess I was looking for something that would capture the same wonder The Magic Realm of Fairy Tales my mom read to me when I was a wee lad. These stories were just too different and not what I expected.
There are a few standouts, such as Neil Gaiman's re-telling of The Billy Goats Gruff (which reminds me I must return
to Gaiman's Sandman comics soon) and Gahan Wilson's take on The Frog Prince, but the rest left me cold. I guess I was looking for something that would capture the same wonder The Magic Realm of Fairy Tales my mom read to me when I was a wee lad. These stories were just too different and not what I expected.
matosapa's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
erikaerisa's review against another edition
5.0
The children's stories we all know and love turned into horror stories? What? They seemed all the more real to me because of the horror-story-twist in them; they seemed more like the original stories that I learned years previous. I loved the new take on every single fairy tale that was included in this. A definite must-read for any fan of the original horror stories that are the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson.
moirwyn's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, I enjoyed the collection. Datlow & Windling select a variety of adult fairy tales that contain some sexual themes and elements of horror, which makes them perfect to read in the fall around Halloween. My favorite story in the collection was Patricia McKillip’s “The Snow Queen,” which explored Kay and Gerda as a modern couple estranged by conflicting lifestyles. I was also a fan of Neil Gaiman’s “Troll Bridge,” in which a boy begged the troll not to eat him, only to live a life filled with disappointment. Like any short story collection, some selections were better than others, but overall Snow White, Blood Red worked pretty well for me.
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2013/12/26/mini-reviews-round-2/
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2013/12/26/mini-reviews-round-2/
mercipourleslivres's review
4.0
Fans of Angela Carter will enjoy this darkly beautiful collection of fairy-tales retold. Ellen Datlow and Teri Windling's thoughtful introductions and essays frame each piece and offer a multitude of suggestions and recommendations for fans of the horror-fantasy genre.
My personal favorites:
The Moon is Drowning While I Sleep by Charles de Lint
Little Red by Wendy Wheeler
I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood" by Kathe Koja
Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman
A Sound Like Angels Singing by Leonard Rysdyk
Puss by Esther Friesner
My personal favorites:
The Moon is Drowning While I Sleep by Charles de Lint
Little Red by Wendy Wheeler
I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood" by Kathe Koja
Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman
A Sound Like Angels Singing by Leonard Rysdyk
Puss by Esther Friesner
smithy361's review
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Most of the stories were either boring or the sex was off putting. Overall, very few stories held my interest.
half_sugar's review
4.0
Honestly, over half the book has uncessary sex scenes... I feel like it is supposed to be "edgey". But honestly this collection is pretty solid. Some great interpretations and retelling. Was also introduced to new stories.
The first half I felt took itself way too seriously, but there are a few light hearted and poignant stories which made it worth the read.
The first half I felt took itself way too seriously, but there are a few light hearted and poignant stories which made it worth the read.
real_life_reading's review against another edition
1.0
As this is a compilation of short stories, I kept reading thinking that maybe I'd like the next one. Or maybe the next one. Or maybe the next. About two-thirds of the way through the book, I gave up. Just not the kind of story telling I'm interested in I guess.
pine_wulf's review
3.0
Ones that stood out:
The Moon is Drowning While I Sleep - beautifully written, I should seek out more De Lint
Little Red - well written, but disturbing and kind of gross
The Root of the Matter - Very moving. I'm so glad this ended the way it did. If it had ended badly it would have been deeply unsatisfying. There was enough misery going on already.
The Princess in the Tower - This was cute. A nice contrast to the darkness of the preceding stories.
The Springfield Swans - Amusing if a bit strait-forward
Troll Bridge - I'm not always super into Gaiman, but I liked this one pretty good. It was a little sad.
A Sound, Like Angels Singing - The story was OK, but I liked the reveal of which fairytale this was a retelling of.
Puss - This one had such a bad beginning for me. Cat abuse right at the start nearly put me off from even reading it, but it was interesting after you get past that.
The Moon is Drowning While I Sleep - beautifully written, I should seek out more De Lint
Little Red - well written, but disturbing and kind of gross
The Root of the Matter - Very moving. I'm so glad this ended the way it did. If it had ended badly it would have been deeply unsatisfying. There was enough misery going on already.
The Princess in the Tower - This was cute. A nice contrast to the darkness of the preceding stories.
The Springfield Swans - Amusing if a bit strait-forward
Troll Bridge - I'm not always super into Gaiman, but I liked this one pretty good. It was a little sad.
A Sound, Like Angels Singing - The story was OK, but I liked the reveal of which fairytale this was a retelling of.
Puss - This one had such a bad beginning for me. Cat abuse right at the start nearly put me off from even reading it, but it was interesting after you get past that.