BLACK HEART IVORY BONES: My Life as a Bird; Bear it Away; Rapunzel; The Crone; Big Hair; The King with Three Daughters; Boys and Girls Together; Snow in Summer; Chanterelle; Goldilocks Tells All; The Red Boots; Rosie's Dance; You Little Match Girl
This sixth anthology in the adult fairy-tale series by acclaimed editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling presents another diverse collection of stories and poems loosely based on folklore traditions around the world. Readers familiar with previous books in the series will recognize the names of many regular contributors, including Tanith Lee, Jane Yolen, Esther Friesner, and Joyce Carol Oates, as well as works from Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint, and others. Tanith Lee's "Rapunzel" opens the collection with a charmingly simple reconstruction of that classic fairy tale. Esther Friesner's "Big Hair" takes the same theme into the present with less cheerful results. Greg Costikyan considers the fate of an ensorcelled sleeping beauty dug up by archaeologists centuries later in "And Still She Sleeps," while Jane Yolen's "Snow in Summer" turns the tables on Snow White's evil stepmother with a deep-dish apple pie and a fry pan. Scott Bradfield's "Goldilocks Tells All" is especially memorable for its Jerry Springer-like portrayal of the ultimate dysfunctional family. Leah Cutter considers the loneliness of living under a curse in her Texas two-step story "The Red Boots." Severna Park's feminist "The Golem" revives a Jewish folktale, while Bryn Kanar's haunting "Dreaming Among Men" draws on Native American legend. Howard Waldrop's "Our Mortal Span" is perhaps the most unique story here, a surprising blend of black comedy, killer-robot story, and fairy tale. While on the whole this collection isn't as strong as previous volumes, it still delivers a fine array of thoughtful writing on some of the best-known--and yet unknown--stories we love. --Charlene Brusso This description may be from another edition of this product.
Out of sheer boredom and lack of something better to read, I picked up this book and began reading it (it was on the shelf of a friend of mine . . . dusty and abandoned. I think I felt sorry for it). Honestly, I had my doubts. After having read numerous versions of politically correct fairy tales, I thought this would be along the same vein and completely cliche' and overdone. Surprisingly (and most wondrously) I was wrong. This is not just a bunch of fairy tales made into gory, sex laden adult fiction. It is a great collection of short stories written by people with real narrative talent. My hat goes off to the editors for finding such gems and putting them into one easy to digest book. I have (since reading this book) gone onto other books in this series and have been just as pleased. An added bonus (as well) that I thought I would add in: throughout this series, you will find a few short stories by Neil Gaiman thrown in there. They are wonderful. He is one of my favorite writers out there, and his shorts stories are great. If you decide to venture out and buy any of the Windling/Datlow collaborations, make sure you check out his stories in particular. He's just so GOOD (yum).Overall, I would hand this book over to anybody to read. It's fun, it's got some good stuff, and it's not hardcore sci fi/fantasy stuff like you might suspect. It's very realistic and entertaining, and you'll FLY through it. Do yourself a favor and delve into this. You'll be glad that you did. Happy reading!
6
★★★★★
Excellent
By Thriftbooks.com User, March 5, 2001
This book is an anthology of twenty short stories, each something of a retelling of a classic fairytale. The stories are all very well written, with the leadoff story being written by the sensational Tanith Lee. As a matter of fact, my absolute favorite story is Tanith Lee's reworking of the story of Repunzel.These stories run the gamut between humorous and upsetting. Some of the storylines are too much for young children, but none are unnecessarily violent or sexual. Overall, I was very impressed with the quality of these stories, and I recommend it without reservations.
3
★★★★★
A New Direction
By Thriftbooks.com User, July 21, 2000
What a fine, and sometimes startling, collection of stories. Poetry also. This book is one to read and then keep handy, because you'll end up referring to its entirely original versions of old classics; a book that is fun to give to others, good to read aloud. Stories you won't forget. Alas, that the series has drawn to a close.
0
★★★★★
A wonderful book
By Thriftbooks.com User, April 17, 2000
This book is wonderful. I only wish there were going to be more in the series. The story by Ellen Steiber stands out in a great collection of short stories. If you haven't read any of the other books in this series, don't delay. Fairy tale short stories make great bed time reading for adults just as the original tales did as a child.
1
★★★★★
I'm a little disappointed
By Thriftbooks.com User, March 10, 2000
...that this is the last compilation of rewritten fairy tales from Datlow and Windling. I have every book in this series and I've re-read them OFTEN. Stories range from the fantastic ("The Cats of San Martino")to the ordinary ("You, Little-Match Girl") with wonderful and enchanting results. Definitely check out Neil Gaiman's "Boys and Girls Together" as well as Tanith Lee's "Rapunzel." Do yourself a favor and pick up this one and, if you dont already have them, the other four in the series.
