comradebibliophile's review against another edition
2.0
The illustrations in this book are enthrallingly beautiful, both I and my child love them. However, the way in which the stories are told is very disappointing, the female characters are defined primarily by their physical beauty or lack thereof, are repeatedly portrayed as essentially property of their fathers, and there is a recurrent theme of them replying 'yes' to proposals from men who have no positive characteristics. I would have hoped that a twenty-first century retelling of these fairy tales would have updated some aspects of the stories, for instance the ages at which the female characters get married could easily have been changed from fourteen to eighteen. The illustrations by contrast include racial diversity beyond that of the original stories, which demonstrates that alterations are possible and beneficial. Story-telling should adapt to the cultural changes of the times and the writing in this book fails to do so. I can no longer read these versions, but I continue to enjoy the illustrations with my child and make up alternative interpretations of the fables that are less jarringly regressive.
klou's review against another edition
5.0
I'd forgotten to add this beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written book of Fairy Tales to my "read" section since joining Goodreads. It's a book that's very close to my heart; given to me to 'borrow' and read from my Great-nana. I didn't get the chance to give it her back and it is now one of, if not my most cherished book on my shelves.
It is extremely well-written, but the illustrations are my favourite part of this book. They are magnificent. True masterpieces. I love this book with all my heart!!!
It is extremely well-written, but the illustrations are my favourite part of this book. They are magnificent. True masterpieces. I love this book with all my heart!!!
mara_miriam's review against another edition
1.0
I was taken this book because of my childhood fascination with fables and the evocative illustrations. But the tales themselves are not retold in a way that places them in a new light and continues the problematic gender and familial dynamics of fairy tales. How many times can you read a story of a neglectful and hateful mother, passive father, or a young girl who says that she does not want to be married and then marries the first person who 'asks' her? I'm over these types of tires fables.
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