thisisxtina's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of lost Fairy Tales by Franz Xaver von Schonwerth is beautiful beyond words. They've selected a good number of interesting and varying tales with crisp, haunting illustrations by Willow Dawson. My favorites are The Bloody Paw, The Clever Bride, and Ashfeathers (a version of Cinderella).
manapere's review against another edition
4.0
One of the most beautifully illustrated books, with haunting imagery that perfectly encapsulates the tone of the stories.
White as Milk, Red as Blood rides the line of being simple fairy tales told for pleasure with some didactic sometimes undertones, and at other times is the whole point of the story. In most cases, the stories are warning to women to remain pure or to mind their own business like "The Moon and the Maiden, "to not take a man into her bed until she's married; and "Countess on a Hedgehog is extremely to the point to not go spreading her husband's secrets or face the consequences. "The Night and the Forest Maiden" is more of a didactic tale for both men and women, the man being blamed for his evildoings towards woman, and the maiden being told:
"Ashfeathers" is a variation of the Cinderella story, which first started as an oral folk tale. But interesting to see this take.
White as Milk, Red as Blood rides the line of being simple fairy tales told for pleasure with some didactic sometimes undertones, and at other times is the whole point of the story. In most cases, the stories are warning to women to remain pure or to mind their own business like "The Moon and the Maiden, "to not take a man into her bed until she's married; and "Countess on a Hedgehog is extremely to the point to not go spreading her husband's secrets or face the consequences. "The Night and the Forest Maiden" is more of a didactic tale for both men and women, the man being blamed for his evildoings towards woman, and the maiden being told:
"Wait , child, thinkAlthough outdated, didactics aside, they are well told fairy tales that lean on the darker side.
The rest of your life
Have patience, my child
And you'll be the knight's wife."
"Ashfeathers" is a variation of the Cinderella story, which first started as an oral folk tale. But interesting to see this take.
anneke_b's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of fairy tales was illustrated beautifully, and the stories were funny, dark and delicious! Loved it!
ppixxie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
The compilation of these stories are alright. Warning for people going in, there is a very racist part in one of the stories in the middle (I believe its the one about the two girls who grow flax or something? One lives in the mountains and the other in the forest)
fongolia's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful illustrations and a handsome physical book. The back history of the stories' origins is interesting too, however the stories themselves are more curiosities than satisfying reads.
chexala's review against another edition
4.0
These newly rediscovered fairy tales are weird af, and I love it. Plus, the illustrations are gorgeous.
mhall's review against another edition
4.0
This is the most beautiful book, the illustrations and typeface and the feel of the pages are all perfect. Adult dark fairy tales collected in Germany in the 1850s by Franz Xaver von Schonwerth, a contemporary of the Grimms.
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
2.0
Sadly, the illustrations, foreword, and introduction were the most inspired part of this book. The stories were not the caliber of other new and old fairy tales and sadly most were unremarkable and unmemorable.
jelliestars's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
iafifah's review against another edition
3.5
Creepy but not as creepy as I thought it would be. And oh..what a gorgeous art.