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lizzye33 's review for:
The Blue Fairy Book
by Andrew Lang
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Reading The Blue Fairy Book was like stepping into a long-lost dream. Many of the tales brought back vivid memories from my childhood, stories I hadn’t been able to track down for years until I finally found them collected here. It’s a joy to finally have many beautiful short stories I adore on my shelf, beautifully bound and rediscovered through Barnes & Noble. This collection is not just a book; it’s a gift of memory, imagination, and timeless wisdom.
My one frustration in deciding whether to read it was that I couldn't look at the table of contents before reading it and understand which versions of classic stories were included within its pages. For example, Aladdin and Cinderella are quite different from what you may expect if you think solely of the Disney adaptations. But my tipping point was Beauty and the Beast. B&B had an entire volume dedicated to the classic story, with other various stories within the pages of the book. I have no idea what they may be or their variations, but I was hesitant to pursue it, despite loving the tales and many adaptations I have seen and read. I wanted the original French version, and taking a chance, I heard that this book contained several short stories, including "Beauty and the Beast," which I knew I had already loved.
Additionally, I took a chance and was very happy to find that it was the French version! Suppose you're familiar with the French live-action adaptation. In that case, the story has less action and drama than the film, yet remains engaging despite the film reaching for a broader audience, mainly adults already familiar with, say, the Disney version, while remaining faithful to the tale with very similar features.
The stories are rich with adventure, cunning, love, and moral lessons; tales that are entertaining for all ages, but especially meaningful to revisit as an adult. While some stories are delightfully whimsical and end happily, others are a bit darker in plot than what you might expect in a children’s book. There are rare themes of murder, starvation, cruelty, and abuse sprinkled throughout various tales; not in the graphic detail of the Brothers Grimm, but still intense enough that they might startle younger readers or parents expecting gentler fare without warning. That said, these elements often serve the larger moral arc, but the majority of the stories are charming and feature trials that are not devastating in outcome or with the potential to upset readers with real-life challenges they may be accustomed to.
What I especially appreciated was how refreshing it felt to read classic fairy tales again, some familiar to me and some new. Many are cultural touchstones, and others offer a fascinating glimpse into folklore I never encountered as a child. It’s a book that speaks to the imagination in a way that few modern stories do, awakening that childlike sense of wonder I hadn’t felt in years. This book is what I had hoped to find in a collection of fairy tales I can read before bed without worrying if it is disturbing or a coin toss of a gruesome or happy ending, like the Brothers Grimm.
The language and cultural references in some tales might be a bit challenging for younger readers, possibly requiring explanation or guidance consistently. But that doesn’t make the book any less worthwhile. It encourages a shared reading experience, one I hope to pass on to my children someday.
If you’re wondering whether The Blue Fairy Book is for you (As it is perfect for all ages) or the children in your life, let C.S. Lewis be your guide:
“One day, you will be old enough for fairy tales again.”
“One day, you will be old enough for fairy tales again.”
This book proves exactly that. And I will treasure it.
Moderate: Child abuse, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail