Tales From The Tower Vol 1: The Wilful Eye Edited by Isobelle Carmody and Nan McNab

Is this my type of thing? Yes, absolutely! I love me some fairy tales and their adaptations So I've been hanging out to read this since its beautiful cover started gracing bookstores with its presence.

I wasn't really sure what to expect. I'm not terribly versed in the world of short stories, and the cover leads us to believe that the stories inside are all magical, mystical - fantasy in every sense. Were they quite that? I'm not sure. They certainly had a fantasy vein running through them, I mean they're all re-workings of fairy tales, how could they not have? But I found myself having very mixed reactions.

The contributors were:

Margo Lanagan - Catastrophic Disruption of the Head (Retelling of The Tinderbox)
Isobelle Carmody - Moth's Tale (Retelling of Rumpelstiltskin)
Rosie Borella - Eternity (Retelling of The Snow Queen)
Richard Harland - Heart of the Beast (Retelling of Beauty and the Beast)
Margaret Mahy - Wolf Night (Retelling of Babes in the Woods)
Martine Murry - One Window (Retelling of The Steadfast Tin Soldier)


Of these authors, I have read the most of Margo Lanangan. In fact, other than some of Margaret Mahy's picture books, I haven't read anything by any of the other authors. So perhaps I was a little more used to Margo's style, but talk about opening with a bang!

Catastophic Disruption of the Head deals with the corruption of the soul that can come with sudden wealth and power. I won't explain everything about it, that is done in an eloquent way in the Afterward, but I will say that it is a thoughtful and powerful retelling. It sets the story in any of the recent contemporary wars and also deals with how western culture can corrupt as well as the violence of war. As far as 'saying something' with the short story, this one takes the cake from this collection. It is confronting at the capabilities of humans in extraordinary situations.

Moth's Tale was pretty and nice, but didn't engage me as I hoped a Rumpelstiltskin retelling would. It had the feel of a fantasy / fairy tale story but never came alive for me. The constant list of alternate endings also was a little too Meta for my liking. But it was a nice read.

Eternity was the biggest disappointment for me, which was a shame, but I'll tell you why. The Snow Queen is my all time favourite fairy tale. Some days I can articulate why and others all I know is I love it with all my heart and it makes me feel wonderful. Therefore, I had high expectations. (perhaps too high - too unfair). But the one thing about The Snow Queen that stands out from so many other fairy tales is that it is Gerda, the girl, who goes on the adventure and saves the day, it is her steadfast love and care for her friend that gets her through every obstacle she comes across. The Gerda in this story does go on the adventure, and manages to save Kai, but I felt that she was such a weak character! Not weak as in written poorly, but weak as in was constantly controlled and persuaded by everyone she met, she was whiny inside her own head and really irked me. Now, that might just me my reaction, but I'm entitled to it. I should say that I really like the alternate 'Sydney' universe setting and the inclusion of the 'Eternity Man', they were really nice touches.

Heart of the Beast was, I think, my favourite of the six. It was a sensuous and vivid retelling that captured the essence of the original story, kept the setting and feel delightfully 'fairy tale', but introduced some contemporary sensibilities. The ending was changed, but still managed to stay true, but was beautifully done. I loved it! Then how they chose to stay in the humble house rather than the giant chateau really finished on a great note for me. Another thing about fairy tales which sometimes gets to me is that people are happy when they are rich and have everything they would ever want. Now, I have no experience in being rich or having everything I could want, so maybe I can't really say, but I do love a story where people are happy with less. It both reinforces that my happiness despite my lack of wealth is justified and that there is hope for its longevity.

Wolf Night was great. It was the only story where I hadn't read the original. And I really liked it - except that the characters discussed how their adventure was just like 'Babes in the Woods'. Again, this 'Meta' element detracted, rather than added to the story. It was a fantastic realisation of an urban landscape as a setting for a fairy tale story.

And Finally, One Window really brought The Steadfast Tin Soldier to life. The characters were colourful and engaging and I could see them all before me. And I loved how it all tied up in the end, with the dancing princess and Soldier meeting and why and how etc.

Over all, this was a great read! As with every collection of short stories by different authors there were ups and downs, but they all fit together really well!

I cannot wait till I get a chance to read Vol 2!

 

4 Gold Stars

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The Sleeping Beauty by Berlie Doherty and Jane Ray

What is it?

The Sleeping Beauty In The Forest

Who wrote it?

Berlie Doherty

Illustrated by Jane Ray

Where can it be found?

 Walker Illustrated Classics: Classic Fairy Tales

Adaptation?

No, just a re-telling.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

ALWAYS remember to invite the most evil and powerful fairy.

Cinderella by Barbara McClintock

What is it?

Cinderella

Who wrote it?

 Barbara McClintock

Where can it be found?

 It's a Picture Book edition

Adaptation?

Retold from the Charles Perrault version and illustrated by...

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

The traditional story, just as insipid as usual, nicely illustrated.

Hansel And Gretel by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

What is it?

 Hansel and Gretel

Who wrote it?

 Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Where can it be found?

in 'The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales'
Edited by Maria Tatar

Adaptation?

It is one of the few revised versions the Grimms published.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Women are evil, men are weak. Children must stick together.

JudgeABook: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I really like the look of this book. I know it's been floating around for a while now, but I'm just now getting to writing about it. I haven't read it, but it's sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. Now, I love me some fairy tale adaptations, and even though I'm not a huge fan of the Cinderella story itself, how could I not be drawn to Cinderella-as-a-Cyborg? Admittedly, I know more than I should for a JudgeABook post, as the cover doesn't really say anything about cyborgs, only suggests a metal bone structure. But, let's go with it. It's a striking cover nonetheless.

Cinder slipped her foot into the ruby shoe. It was the perfect addition to her outfit. She smiled, thinking that the fragility of the glass pump belied her next-to-indestructible nature.

Standing, she looked at herself in the mirror. Thank goodness for the titanium reinforcement in the sole, imperceptible when she was standing. While her manufacturers had made her figure to perfection, they didn't really get her weight to what a girl would call acceptable. But, with a steel skeleton, there's only so much she could expect. She smoothed her dress. 

She was dressed to kill.

 

4.5 Silver Stars

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Other JudgeABook Posts

Wait! No Paint! by Bruce Whatley

What is it?

 Wait! No Paint!

Who wrote it?

 Bruce Whatley

Adaptation?

This is 'The Three Little Pigs' when the role of the illustrator is literally brought into the story.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

 Perfect meta-fictive irreverence. There are many Laugh out Loud moments.

The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

What is it?

The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats

Who wrote it?

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Where can it be found?

in The Annotated Brothers Grimm
Edited by Maria Tatar

Adaptation?

Recorded by the Grimms

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

The Wolf slept as deep as general anaesthetic – I wish!

Rumpelstiltskin by Berlie Doherty and Jane Ray

What is it?

Rumpelstiltskin

Who wrote it?

Berlie Doherty

Illustrated by Jane Ray

Where can it be found?

Classic Fairy Tales (Walker Illustrated Classics)

Adaptation?

More a re-telling with a gentle ending.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Greedy, patriarchal colonialists take what they will, but beautifully written.

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

Writing a post last week about Breath got me thinking about Donna Jo Napoli again and how much I love her books, and how heavy a phase I went through some years ago. This is not to say I don't still love her, but for a while I was ordering her books one by one from over seas and reading them all in a row. I recently reaslised how many of her books I've yet to read and was a little daunted but very excited at the prospect.

So, here I am, writing a review for a book I read years ago, but is still fresh in my mind because I thought it was fascinating and skillfully executed.

As you might be aware, Donna Jo Napoli's 'thing' is to adapt and flesh out traditional stories and fairy tales. Bound is fantastic because it is a Cinderella retelling set in Ancient China. The reason it works so well is that, as the title suggests, it brings into it the practice of foot binding. The match is perfect and feels effortless, even though I'm certain a lot of research was involved.

Unlike my review of Breath, I'm not going to spell out exactly how this setting and story fits into the story arch we know so well from so many versions of Cinderella. But I will say, that I loved this book because it gave the main 'Cinderella' character some pluck. She is a girl who can stand up for herself and isn't the flouncy-I-need-someone-to-do-everything-for-me girl of many other stories.

I'm surprising myself with how well I'm remembering this book, it would be at least 6 years since I've read it and I can still see Xing Xing trying to please Stepmother, praying to her Ancestors, hiding a gown in a hole in a cave, making her own way to Emperor's festival, the food, the performers and her holding her own in the face of royalty. I think that goes to show how good a book it is, and how brilliant Donna Jo Napoli is.

You should read this book.

 

4.5 Gold Stars

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The Really Ugly Duckling by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

What is it?

The Really Ugly Duckling

Who wrote it?

Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Lane Smith

Where can it be found?

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Adaptation?

Yes, a very different ending to Hans Christian Andersen’s version.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

A brilliantly brief and hilarious spin on Andersen’s renowned sentimentality.

Breath by Donna Jo Napoli

You may know from the prevalence on my blog of things that relate to fairy tales and classic folklore that I love that kind of thing. I particularly like a well realised adaptation, such as the ones Donna Jo Napoli is renown for. The Pied Piper of Hamelin is one such story that it is fascinating to see what people do with it. For example, The movie 'The Sweet Hereafter' is amazing. Then, I was jealous I didn't think of it first when the lost children of Hamelin turned up in Garth Nix's Keys To The Kingdom Series. It truly is a fascinating story and there's a lot that can be done with it.

But best of all, I think, is Donna Jo Napoli's Breath. This is a thorough retelling from the perspective of the boy on crutches that gets left behind. Like all good historical fiction, if feels very well researched. Being fiction, there's always scope to play around with fact but at no point did I question what I was being told. It fit perfectly into this story and the whole thing works as a possible explanation to the history behind the traditional tale.

Clearly, rats were pests of the worst kind, carrying disease etc themselves and in the fleas that rode them cross-country. It is perfectly understandable that a town would want to rid themselves of an infestation. But they should have know to pay their dues.

Salz, the main character, is a boy who is suffering from what we now know is cystic fibrosis. He is a boy who thinks about things through with logic and reason. He very nearly works out the connection to various illnesses and events to a fungus called Ergot which has grown on the plants and crops after a particularly wet year. This fungus, when ingested through bread, or beer not only makes people sick, but can also contains lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD as well as has similar effects as Viagra.

Perhaps I'm not explaining this in the right order, or correctly, but I'm trying to entice you into reading this book to find out how all of this plays into the story we all know.

*This next paragraph may contain SPOILERS*

Just so it's not too much of an obscure blog post, I'll let you know that while rejoicing the absence of the rats, the whole town goes on a bit of a acid trip, due to the Ergot, and don't react while their children are enticed away by the begrudged piper. Salz, our poor hero, is unable to keep up with the rest of them and, just outside of town, becomes the only witness to the disappearance of all the children. The only problem is, he is on a bit of an acid trip himself and the only what he can describe it later is to say that the mountain opened up and swallowed them all.

Now I feel like I've given too much away and have ruined the wonderful surprise of Donna's work. She does it so brilliantly all the time, so many of her adaptations have a delightful twist that makes you think 'ahhh, so that's how she's fit it into the original storyline!'

But this one, I think, is my second favourite of her books that I've read so far, and even with my spoilers I still think you should read it.

 

4.5 Gold Stars

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Hansel and Gretel by James Finn Garner

What is it?

Hansel and Gretel

Who wrote it?

James Finn Garner

Where can it be found?

in: Once Upon a More Enlightened Time: More politically Correct Bedtime Stories

Adaptation?

Another of the ‘PC’ kind.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Not a ‘witch’ but ‘Wiccan’ and defender of Mother Earth.

Goldilocks on CCTV by John Agard and Satoshi Kitamura

What is it?

Goldilocks On CCTV

Who wrote it?

John Agard

Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura

Where can it be found?

In ‘Goldilocks On CCTV’

Adaptation?

Yes, a different spin on this story, focusing more on the aftermath.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Breaking and entering, theft, vandalism: Bears were prepared with CCTV

Extended thoughts:

When I was reading this collection of contemporary takes on fairy tale characters, I was trying to decide which poem to write about. In the end I picked the title poem because I think it’s rather funny. It talks about how the news reported of the girl who was caught sleeping at the scene of the crime and how the Bears decided to drop the charges.

Like other poems in the book, it adds an element to the stories we know that I think high school age kids will appreciate. Drawing on the more mature concepts behind some of the stories, they poke fun at both classic conventions engrained in fairy tales as well as having a little giggle at contemporary life.

Favourite Quote:

“There she was, tucking in
to a bowl of their muesli.
Every move on CCTV.

How she vandalised a chair
in the nursery
then tried out their Jacuzzi”

Moral of the story in my own words:

Crime doesn’t pay. Especially when security cameras are around.

3 Silver Stars

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The Princess and The Pea by James Finn Garner

What is it?

The Princess and the Pea

Who wrote it?

James Finn Garner

Where can it be found?

in: Once Upon a More Enlightened Time: More politically Correct Bedtime Stories

Adaptation?

Yes! Of the ‘politically correct’ variety.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

‘PC’ to the extreme unearths the flaws in this story.

The Princess And The Pea by Hans Christian Andersen

What is it?

The Princess and the Pea

Who wrote it?

Hans Christian Andersen
(Compiled by Russell Ash and Bernard Highton

Where can it be found?

A Classic Illustrated Edition: Tales From Hans Christian Andersen

  

Adaptation?

I’m not entirely sure. It is certainly shorter than other versions I know, but whether that is in the editing, I don’t know.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

This Prince has ridiculous constructs about women. Thin-skinned indeed!

Extended thoughts:

More so in this version than in others, I was struck by how unreasonable the prince was in his search for a wife. She had to be a real princess (italics from the book) and every princess he met, the world over, “wasn’t quite right”. It begs to question if he actually wanted to marry at all, or if the whole thing was a charade to appease parents who wanted him to marry. It gets a bit silly. And who says that such a ‘Thin-skinned’ woman maketh a real princess anyway? Dose that imply that real royalty has never done a day’s work and has had no opportunity get thick-skin? Is the queen equally afflicted by these disproportional bruises? Should they see a doctor? And why, oh why, would a real princess appear on the doorstep in the middle of a thunder storm, looking a mess and simply claiming she was a princess? Something smells of a con job…

I do love the Edmond Dulac illustration that accompanies it though. He has a fantastic way with perspective and sweeping angles.

Favourite Quote:

“The pea was placed in the royal museum, where it can still be seen, unless someone has taken it.”

Moral of the story in my own words:

(Mmm, this one is hard).

If you’re too picky in finding a partner, you might end up with a lying, homeless person with a medical condition. 

3 Silver Stars

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Yummy: My Favourite Nursery Stories by Lucy Cousins

What is it?

Red Riding Hood

Who wrote it?

Lucy Cousins

Where can it be found?

in Yummy: My Favourite Nursery Stories by Lucy Cousins

Adaptation?

Not so much adaptation as abbreviation, or brief re-write.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Like Cousins’ illustrations, this version is bright, bold and succinct.

Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper by Charles Perrault

What is it?

Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper

Who wrote it?

Charles Perrault

Where can it be found?

The Annotated Classic Fairy Tales
Edited by Maria Tatar

Adaptation?

Only in that Perrault wrote down his version of story that he had heard.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Almost painfully lovely, Cinderella repudiates her soot and metaphorical shackles.

Sea Hearts by Margo Lanagan

So this is how it went for me and Margo Lanagan: I had a long-standing love affair from a-far with Tender Morsels which you can read about HERE, which sadly remains unresolved, as I haven't got around to reading it yet.

Then, last semester, her collection of short stories 'White Time' was a set text for my masters subject. I liked what I read there, I liked that I had to fit myself into each story like someone doing advanced yoga of the mind. But alas, Tender Morsels still waved, sadly-unread, from my shelf.

Then there was the release of Sea Hearts AND the possibility of meeting Margo at an event at Better Read Than Dead, a beautiful bookshop in Newtown where a friend of mine works as the Children's specialist. What was I to do? I'll tell you what: I got my hands on a copy, forced myself to take a break from work reading (it was well timed really) then Sea Hearts jumped the queue. I had accepted the invitation to the event, so I knew I had to have it read.

The plan was to read Tender Morsels as well, so I could seem switched on and genuine in my apparent fandom. Because, lets face it, despite having only read some of her short stories last year, I have thought of Margo Lanagan as an author that I love for years. (it might have something to do with the jacket of Tender Morsels - See the other post) But I know I loved the idea of her.

This has turned into a rather long pre-amble for my review of this book, I know. But partly the time it took me to read it is needed to explain how I felt about it. I read each night when I climb into bed. It's the one time of the day I can guarantee myself the time to read. Unfortunately, I picked a time to read Sea Hearts when I was particularly exhausted from work and life in general. One thing I discovered when I picked up this book is it's the kind of writing that you sort-of need to pay attention to (not quite as hard as the aforementioned mind-yoga, but still) and this is difficult to do when your eyes are struggling to stay open as it is. Therefore, it took me much longer to get through this book than I had hoped. (then along comes reading for work again, and unless I can read three books in the next 2 days, there no chance of be even attempting to start Tender Morsels before the event on Wednesday.)

Enough already! I hear you sighing, tell us about the book! Ok, here it goes:

It's a moving re-work/fleshing-out of the Selkie legends from the regions of the far-North Atlantic Ocean. Now I had only a passing/second hand knowledge of these legends, so for me, it read like a well thought out fantasy. I can see how others who know the tales better would enjoy it even more than I did. Margo Lanagan's writing is superb. She doesn't fluff around, but fills her prose with the magic of time and place. Her conviction to the story she is telling is striking. This is a book for anyone who loves a tale of love, loss and a spot of magic.

I feel like I have to say, though, that as a male reader, I felt appalled at the state of men in this book. Every single female character was wronged at the hands of a male, and absolutely none of the men had any redeeming characteristics, save for one pre-pubescent boy who devised a way to help his mother. I understand that in the context of the story that the sea-wives were enchanting, but I would have loved to see at least one man resist. As you do with books, I put myself in their shoes and asked: What of a gay man? would he be equally beguiled? (Although I must admit that the Seal King magiked into a man was rather steamy...) Or are all men destined to hurt the women in their lives and rely on their young sons to make amends on their behalf?

That said, I loved reading this. There was a sequence in it that was one of the most exciting-cannot-put-down-what's-going-to-happen things I've read in at least 6 months (and I've read a lot in that time). It's a beautiful novel that reveals the devastating effects of taking things from where they naturally belong for your own personal gain.

I really need to stop writing now, so I can go and read and hopefully - finally - find the time to read Tender Morsels.

4.5 Gold Stars

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TopographicalFeature: Sea Hearts - Margo Lanagan

Something You'd See In The Sky:

Creepy Crawly:

Type Of House:

Something You'd Carry In Your Pocket, Purse, or Backpack:

Something You'd Find On A Calendar:

A Fairy Tale About A Boy Who Left Home To Learn About Fear by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

What is it?

A Fairy Tale About A Boy Who Left Home To Learn About Fear

Who wrote it?

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Where can it be found?

in The Annotated Brothers Grimm
Edited by Maria Tatar

Adaptation?

Recorded by the Grimms

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

No fear, no sense, and an overworked sense of compassion.

The Lion And The Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

What is it?

The Lion & The Mouse

Who wrote it?

Jerry Pinkney (kind of… read on)

 

Where can it be found?

On its own (Picture Book).

Adaptation?

Fairly straight forward telling (or should I say showing) of the Aesop fable.

My thoughts in exactly 10 words:

Pinkney’s version has everything it needs: words were not included.