A review by savvylit
The Bloody Chamber: And Other Stories: 75th-Anniversary Edition (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) by Angela Carter
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a beautiful, lush book of polished prose! If I had to describe the stories in The Bloody Chamber, I would say that they are "pure escapist fairytales at their Gothic best."
My two favorite retellings were the titular "The Bloody Chamber" and "The Lady of the House of Love." The former being a reimagining of Bluebeard and the latter a vampiric twist on Sleeping Beauty. I also really enjoyed "The Erl-King" for it's dreamy descriptions of the woods.
Carter's writing is exquisite and dark. I love it. The stories in The Bloody Chamber are often gruesome but beautifully written. If Grimm's fairytales had been written by a poet, this collection would be the end result.
My two favorite retellings were the titular "The Bloody Chamber" and "The Lady of the House of Love." The former being a reimagining of Bluebeard and the latter a vampiric twist on Sleeping Beauty. I also really enjoyed "The Erl-King" for it's dreamy descriptions of the woods.
Carter's writing is exquisite and dark. I love it. The stories in The Bloody Chamber are often gruesome but beautifully written. If Grimm's fairytales had been written by a poet, this collection would be the end result.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Sexual violence