I have blogged before about how much I love "twisted fairy tales," or familiar stories that have been made new again. This summer I noticed that there seemed to be A LOT of books based on the fairy tales of the Grimm Brothers. The Grimm fairy tales are dark, to say the least. Full of blood, morbid story lines, and graphic lessons to be learned (think: Hansel and Gretel), they have found a place comfortably among modern Gothic fantasy books. I read a few modern interpretations of these fairy tales this summer, and I have chosen to highlight one series, and two stand alone books. (See summaries below) I can guarantee you that these are not your parents fairy tales. There will be many moments in each of these books that will have you cringing with discomfort, and perhaps even keep you awake at night. Enjoy!
A Tale Dark and Grimm
With disarming delicacy and unexpected good cheer, Gidwitz reweaves some of the most shocking and bloody stories that the Brothers Grimm collected into a novel that's almost addictively compelling. He gives fair warning that this is no prettified, animated version of the old stories. "Are there any small children in the room now?" he asks midway through the first tale, "If so, it would be best if we just...hurried them off to bed. Because this is where things start to get, well...awesome." Many of humanity's least attractive, primal emotions are on display: greed, jealousy, lust, and cowardice. But, mostly it's the unspeakable betrayal by bad parents and their children's journey to maturation and forgiveness that are at the heart of the book. Anyone who's ever questioned why Hansel and Gretel's father is so readily complicit in their probable deaths and why the brother and sister, nonetheless, return home after their harrowing travails will find satisfying explanations here. Gidwitz is terrifying and funny at the same time. His storytelling is so assured that it's hard to believe this is his debut novel. And his treatment of the Grimms' tales is a whole new thing.
-From School Library Journal
The Grimm Legacy
Feeling left out from her stepfamily at home and from her classmates at her new school, Elizabeth is delighted when she gets a job at the New York Circulating Material Repository, a library that loans objects of historical value. She's particularly intrigued when she's given access to the Grimm Collection, a secret room that holds magical objects from the Brothers' tales, e.g., seven-league boots, a mermaid's comb, and the sinister mirror from "Snow White." However, when the items start to disappear, she and her fellow pages embark on a dangerous quest to catch the thief, only to find themselves among the suspects. This modern fantasy has intrigue, adventure, and romance, and the magical aspects of the tale are both clever and intricately woven, from rhyming charms to flying-carpet rides. -From School Library Journal
The Sisters Grimm
9 Book Series
Fairy-tale detectives Sabrina and Daphne Grimm live in the town of Ferryport Landing, a community of fairy-tale characters, Everafters, who are now using magical disguises to remain undetected alongside their normal neighbors. Ogres work at the post office, witches run the diner, and the town mayor is the legendary Prince Charming. Can the Sisters Grimm solve the problems that befall this town? - From Series Description
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