Comments on: Guest Post: Fairy Tales Reimagined

By: Kate Coombs

Kate Coombs — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:09:10 +0000

Travis–Yes, I’ve read some of the Windling collections. And I really like Patricia Wrede’s work, the ones you mentioned and others (e.g., Sorcery and Cecilia). Haven’t read the Tepper, but tend to avoid squickiness.

By: Kate Coombs

Kate Coombs — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 03:06:17 +0000

Diana–Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George; East by Edith Pattou; and Ice by Sarah Beth Durst.

By: Diana L. Paxson

Diana L. Paxson — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:49:01 +0000

This is interesting. I’ve been thinking about YA, but my first try was set in Gold Rush California, and my agent says that “westerns” aren’t selling.

Has anyone done a retelling of “East of the Sun, West of the Moon?”

By: Travis Butler

Travis Butler — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 20:43:41 +0000

Have you seen any of the fairy tale-related editing by Terri Windling? I've greatly liked several of the novels from the Fairy Tale series she edited at Ace/Tor (Pat Wrede's Snow White and Rose Red and Pamela Dean's Tam Lin particularly), and while I haven't made it to reading any of the Snow White and Blood Red anthologies, I've heard good things about them. And while they're not direct retellings, Pat Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles (Talking to Dragons et al) are a very enjoyable and wry look at a fairy tale world. Finally, Shari Tepper's Beauty has some definite weaknesses and some bits that squicked me, there were also some very memorable bits.

By: Kate Coombs

Kate Coombs — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:59:31 +0000

BookBrat–If you link through to the original post at The Enchanted Inkpot, you’ll find a number of suggested titles in the comments. And thanks for sharing your list.

Carmen and Natalie–Great suggestions!

Ana–The focus at Enchanted Inkpot is fantasy for children and teens, but I have read one of Jim Hines’s princess books. Bill Willingham’s Fables graphic novels are another interesting take-off on fairy tales for adults, though the violence and sex is sometimes a bit much for my taste. To return to children’s books, what about the graphic novel Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale and Nathan Hale? (I’m guessing Disney got the idea for the active, lasso-like hair in their new movie Tangled from Hale and Hale’s book!)

By: BookBrat

BookBrat — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 22:36:07 +0000

Thanks for that. I am a huge fairy tale enthusiast. here are some of my favorite tales:

http://thebookbrat.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-favorite-fairy-tales.html

have you heard of any (besides The Goose Girl of course)

By: Ana Steuart

Ana Steuart — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:54:59 +0000

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Jim Hines’ Princess novels. He goes back to pre-Brothers Grimm tales, which are gruesome, and weaves them all together in fascinating ways.

My favorite by far is Red Hood’s Revenge, but I adore his character Talia (Sleeping Beauty.)

By: Natalie Gorna

Natalie Gorna — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:08:02 +0000

Hello. Just wanted to remark that there are many, many fairy tale retellings in literature, like Ms. Commbs mentioned. I’ve had the pleasure of reading most of the novels she mentioned, and others not in her review. I wrote 2 articles on the Examiner, the online newspaper I review books for, listing many retellings of different fairy tales. Among some of the best are Jessica George’s “Princess of the Midnight Ball” (retelling of “12 Dancing Princesses”) and its sequel “Princess of Glass” (retelling of “Cinderellla with a brilliant twist), “A Kiss in Time” by Alex Flinn (modern version of “Sleeping Beauty”), and “Sisters Red”, a take on the story of “Little Red Riding Hood” by Jackson Pearce. E.D. Baker also has presented clever twists on numerous fairy tales in “The Wide-Awake Princess” and her 8-volume series, “Tales of the Frog Princess.” I have to admit that “Midnight Pearls” by Debbie Viguie was a touching version of Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.”

By: Carmen Ferreiro

Carmen Ferreiro — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 19:55:06 +0000

Kate,

I love fairy tales retelling too. My favorite ones are Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl and Just Ella by Haddrix.

I will check yours.

http://carmenferreiroesteban.wordpress.com/