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im211's review against another edition
4.0
This is a collection of tales ranging from humorous to even the shadowest ones. I loved quite a few of them, and si=ome I didn't really connect with and the rest I admit I lost my flare for fairytales by then so I just let them go...But that by no means is an indicator that this anything short of an entertaining, fun and memorable book but it's not the one you'll enjoy in one sitting but rather in between your normal reading days or even during a slump!
franklyfrank's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
jacsu's review against another edition
5.0
Spectacular! Wonderful! Thought provoking!
Read my full review here: https://readingasfastasica.wixsite.com/home/review-how-to-fracture-a-fairy-tale
Read my full review here: https://readingasfastasica.wixsite.com/home/review-how-to-fracture-a-fairy-tale
belellcollins's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of twisted fairy tales was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Unique and inventive with a touch of the stories I've heard retold again and again. There is something to be said for the ability to twist stories so well known and this collection makes it clear why Jane Yolen is considered to be one of the best! I enjoyed both the stories rooted in beloved stories and the ones I had no knowledge of. This is the perfect addition to any fairy tale lover's collection.
someonetookit's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this anthology of reworked fairytales.
While I could recognise the majority of tales within, each story is unique from the original. Dependant on the story in question, some make subtle nods while others tell the fairytales from a different point of view.
I feel like Happy Dens, Sliding Sideways Through Eternity and The Bridge's Complaint were my favourite but most others were enjoyable as well.
I found the explanations of how each was rewritten at the end of the book to be insightful as i find the whole process rather genius no matter the author. As an added bonus, the foreword is written by Marissa Meyer, a master of the twisted tale herself.
I received an advanced reading copy of this novel from Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions contained within are that of the author and have in no way been influenced by the publisher or its affiliates.
While I could recognise the majority of tales within, each story is unique from the original. Dependant on the story in question, some make subtle nods while others tell the fairytales from a different point of view.
I feel like Happy Dens, Sliding Sideways Through Eternity and The Bridge's Complaint were my favourite but most others were enjoyable as well.
I found the explanations of how each was rewritten at the end of the book to be insightful as i find the whole process rather genius no matter the author. As an added bonus, the foreword is written by Marissa Meyer, a master of the twisted tale herself.
I received an advanced reading copy of this novel from Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions contained within are that of the author and have in no way been influenced by the publisher or its affiliates.
tasharobinson's review against another edition
4.0
Picked this one up expecting some pretty brief, light, occasionally snarky retellings of fairy tales, and that's initially what I got. The take on Snow White where she recognizes her evil stepmother disguised as a witch, and brains her with a frying pan because she's no fool, is enjoyable, but not exactly challenging. Or the version of "Billy Goats Gruff" from the bridge's point of view is a strange idea with a cute execution. But the deeper I got into this book, the more it felt like a radical act of re-creation and re-defining what stories do. Part of it's just the cumulative power of an increasingly creative number of rethinks on classic stories, and part of it's the insight into national identities and how they use folklore (particularly Jewish identity), and part of it's just the simplicity of these stories, The final pages are devoted to small poems that further recast these fairy tales, and they're even simpler, and I love how spare they are in execution, and how much they get at the heart of fairy-tale logic and morality.
mnboyer's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you, NetGalley, for offering me a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you enjoy fairy tales, then you know that one of the best thing about them is the way in which they are adapted, edited, and changed over time. Changing and retelling fairy tales keeps them breathing as the world around them changes. Jane Yolen offers a collection of 'fractured' fairy tales that are quite different from the stories you remember. On one hand, you may see a different ending, or a new character, or perhaps a major shift in the POV of a story you have read before. On the other hand, there are several stories here from different countries and cultures that--perhaps--you're encountering for the first time.
This is a pleasant read, as there are many different types of tales in the collection. There is not necessarily a common thread (ie: all of the stories have a dragon) apart from the fact that they have all undergone some changes at Yolen's hand. I find many of the changes particularly interesting, inventive, and believe they give new life to stories that perhaps readers are familiar with. For example, one tale retells events through the bridge's perspective. This is unique because, to my knowledge, this type of personification in fairy tales has not been presented with this particular story.
There are also some darker elements in this story. For example, one of the stories revolves around incest. For some readers, this may be a story whose changes deeply affect you or alter your perception of the tale--that's a good thing, in my opinion. Familiar stories like Cinderella are retold and you'll find that Cinderella is actually portrayed by an elephant.
With a wide variety of stories, there is something here to entertain every reader. For this, I easily rate this book 3-stars.
My only issues with this book revolve around the following two issues, both of which I deducted a star for. First, about half of these short stories have been published previously and are available elsewhere. If you're a fan of Yolen, this means that you likely have seen half of this book elsewhere before picking it up. As someone that believes stories should consist of new material, as readers work hard for the money it costs to purchase books, I find it slightly irritating that half of the book (my approximation) is not new. Of course, if you're new to Yolen's work, this entire collection may indeed be new to you--in which case, this grievance does not apply to you. But it is something that I consider as a reader (have I read the content before? Am I getting new or old material?).
Secondly, at the end of the book Yolen lists descriptions of the original tales and explains some of her changes to the stories. I found this helpful, but feel like at the end of each story this blurb could have been inserted. In fact, it would have been better placed at the end of each story rather than at the very end. A few of the stories I was unfamiliar with, and it would have been nice to have the description/comparisons listed after the story so that I could more easily make sense of things.
Just minor 'issues' that I have from my perspective. Yet, I would still recommend this collection to those interested in fairy tales, adaptations, retellings, and general children's anthologies.
If you enjoy fairy tales, then you know that one of the best thing about them is the way in which they are adapted, edited, and changed over time. Changing and retelling fairy tales keeps them breathing as the world around them changes. Jane Yolen offers a collection of 'fractured' fairy tales that are quite different from the stories you remember. On one hand, you may see a different ending, or a new character, or perhaps a major shift in the POV of a story you have read before. On the other hand, there are several stories here from different countries and cultures that--perhaps--you're encountering for the first time.
This is a pleasant read, as there are many different types of tales in the collection. There is not necessarily a common thread (ie: all of the stories have a dragon) apart from the fact that they have all undergone some changes at Yolen's hand. I find many of the changes particularly interesting, inventive, and believe they give new life to stories that perhaps readers are familiar with. For example, one tale retells events through the bridge's perspective. This is unique because, to my knowledge, this type of personification in fairy tales has not been presented with this particular story.
There are also some darker elements in this story. For example, one of the stories revolves around incest. For some readers, this may be a story whose changes deeply affect you or alter your perception of the tale--that's a good thing, in my opinion. Familiar stories like Cinderella are retold and you'll find that Cinderella is actually portrayed by an elephant.
With a wide variety of stories, there is something here to entertain every reader. For this, I easily rate this book 3-stars.
My only issues with this book revolve around the following two issues, both of which I deducted a star for. First, about half of these short stories have been published previously and are available elsewhere. If you're a fan of Yolen, this means that you likely have seen half of this book elsewhere before picking it up. As someone that believes stories should consist of new material, as readers work hard for the money it costs to purchase books, I find it slightly irritating that half of the book (my approximation) is not new. Of course, if you're new to Yolen's work, this entire collection may indeed be new to you--in which case, this grievance does not apply to you. But it is something that I consider as a reader (have I read the content before? Am I getting new or old material?).
Secondly, at the end of the book Yolen lists descriptions of the original tales and explains some of her changes to the stories. I found this helpful, but feel like at the end of each story this blurb could have been inserted. In fact, it would have been better placed at the end of each story rather than at the very end. A few of the stories I was unfamiliar with, and it would have been nice to have the description/comparisons listed after the story so that I could more easily make sense of things.
Just minor 'issues' that I have from my perspective. Yet, I would still recommend this collection to those interested in fairy tales, adaptations, retellings, and general children's anthologies.
frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Jane Yolen knocked it put of the park again. ❤️❤️
waywordxwitch's review against another edition
1.0
~ARC provided by NetGalley~
I've said it before I love me a good fairy tale re-telling but........... this was not at all what I expected to be honest. These didn't even feel like fairy tales, some of them sure but the rest not so much. I had a very hard time finishing this book. Meh.
I've said it before I love me a good fairy tale re-telling but........... this was not at all what I expected to be honest. These didn't even feel like fairy tales, some of them sure but the rest not so much. I had a very hard time finishing this book. Meh.
archergal's review against another edition
4.0
Jane Yolen takes on traditional fairy tale tropes and... breaks them in entertaining ways.
Good stuff. Jane Yolen is a treasure.
Good stuff. Jane Yolen is a treasure.