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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I picked this up on a whim while looking for some book for my class. I am a serial "picks books by its cover" person (but in my defense, I went to school for design so sometimes book covers really do speak to you) so, when I saw the hand-drawn typeface of the cover I was sucked in.
It is a very quick read and you will recognize most of the stories when you start reading since they are reworkings of classic fairytales, but honestly don't let that deter you. Cunningham takes a refreshing yet dark (even darker than the originals) take on some the most classic Grimm and Andersen classics like Beauty and the Beast, Rumpelstiltskin, etc.
What really puts this over the top are the illustrations. They are beautiful and disturbing and fit the work perfectly.
I would highly recommend this book to people who are interested in creative writing as an example of how to make something old new again while also making it your own work.
It is a very quick read and you will recognize most of the stories when you start reading since they are reworkings of classic fairytales, but honestly don't let that deter you. Cunningham takes a refreshing yet dark (even darker than the originals) take on some the most classic Grimm and Andersen classics like Beauty and the Beast, Rumpelstiltskin, etc.
What really puts this over the top are the illustrations. They are beautiful and disturbing and fit the work perfectly.
I would highly recommend this book to people who are interested in creative writing as an example of how to make something old new again while also making it your own work.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Loved this book. If you like myths with a dark twist, it’s for you.
2.5 stars, really. The first hundred or so pages of this book were incredibly difficult for me to get through. The stories were either plotless and short or long and rambling (and even then mostly with plot that was told rather than happening). The last few stories were fairly good. None were exceptional or exciting, but I at least remained vaguely interested until the end. Never once was I invested in a single character, so I can't really recommend it for anyone.
Small book of modern dark takes on traditional fairy tales, sort of similar to [a: Mallory Ortberg|7811262|Mallory Ortberg|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1415233773p2/7811262.jpg]'s terrific Children's Stories Made Horrific series.
Not quite what I was expecting. It must be difficult to update fairy tales, and I think Cunningham did as well as anyone could. Still some of the stories were awkward.
It got extra points for not taking long to read and wasting my time. It was just ok, not overly interesting, but a quick read
I love retellings of fairy tales, so I’ve read a ton. This book is a set of short stories all by the same author who creates a modern version of different tales. One of the best parts about the book are actually the illustrations by Yuko Shimizu. They are woodcut sort of drawings between the tales and they made me just sit and look at them. There are 11 or so stories and only 144 pages, so each one is brief, meaning anyone has time to read it.
This was OK but if you want re-imagined fairy tales, read Angela Carter instead.