Troll's Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales

Troll's Eye View: A Book of Villainous Tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling is the third in a series of short story collections of fairy tale retellings, following A Wolf at the Door and Swan Sister.

I know I always care more about the contents of a short story collection like this than a review, so I'm kindly sharing the list with my gentle readers, too. Most of the authors are the usual suspects for a collection edited by Datlow and Windling, so fans should be thrilled and newcomers have a treat in store.

Wizard’s Apprentice by Delia Sherman
An Unwelcome Guest by Garth Nix
Faery Tales by Wendy Froud
Rags and Riches by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Up the Down Beanstalk: A W Remembers by Peter S. Beagle
The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces by Ellen Kushner
Puss in Boots, the Sequel by Joseph Stanton
The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Holly Black
Troll by Jane Yolen
Castle Othello by Nancy Farmer
‘Skin by Michael Cadnum
A Delicate Architecture by Catherynne M. Valente
Molly by Midori Snyder
Observing the Formalities by Neil Gaiman
The Cinderella Game by Kelly Link

There is a mixture of fun and trauma in the stories, ending with Link's chilling "The Cinderella Game." Don't read it at bedtime if you are subject to nightmares.

Otherwise, go on out and buy this to encourage the publication of more Datlow and Windling collections in the future. Their names insure quality after two decades of collaboration.

Fairy Tale Princess Cooking Class and Tea Party

Yet another using fairy tales for teaching application offered up by Wellesley Recreation in Massachusetts next week: Fairy Tale Princess Cooking Class and Tea Party. I think it is a clever concept, teaching cooking, entertaining and manners to young children--note that it's calling all princes and princesses despite the course title.

I downloaded the program sheet--it's big so I copied and pasted the relevant information below. I hope all the students have a fun time next week. I wish I could be one of the guests for the final tea party. Ugly Step Sister Stew sounds yummy. I admit I enjoy a well-made watercrest sandwich, sans crust of course, which I doubt the children would like, but I can dream...

Fairy Tale Princess
Cooking Class & Tea Party
(Ages 6 - 8)

Instructor: Betsy Arnold & Janet Parnes

Calling all princes and princesses. The time has come to prepare for the Fairy-Tale Princess Tea Party. We will learn to make a meal and serve it with style. This 4-day camp will culminate with a Fairy-Tale Princess Tea Party, hosted by the children for their guests. We will spend the first two days practicing our kitchen skills by preparing our own lunchtime feasts. We might make Ugly Step Sister Stew, Snow White’s Apple Strudel, or Prince Charming’s Roasted Chicken. During the final two days we will be busy preparing treats for the tea party. Delight your guests with Crown Jewel tea sandwiches, Belle’s mini quiches, Princess Fiona’s fruit parfaits and more.
Location: Warren Building Min: 6/Max: 8
4 classes

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon

Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon slipped past my radar for a few months since it didn’t appear in any of my regular searches and alerts for new fairy tale related fiction. I try, but many slip between the cracks to my chagrin. I am an Amazon Vine reviewer and was surprised when I found this book as one of my choices for the month. I buy most of the books that I get for SurLaLune, so I always appreciate review copies. I plan for this blog to be one of my methods for singling out new titles in the future.

But back to the book…

Unlike many of the reinvented fairy tale novels published recently, Turgeon’s Godmother isn’t aimed at young adult readers, but adult readers, with its edgier and more enigmatic handling of the content. It reminded me somewhat of Gregory Maguire’s work in the genre than any other author’s although Donna Jo Napoli and several short story authors have lots of sharp corners in their stories, too. I found myself thinking about Napoli’s masterpiece The Magic Circle every so often while reading this novel since both offer similar themes of older women seeking redemption from past mistakes.

Godmother is the story of Cinderella’s godmother, banished to the mortal world after her bad handling of Cinderella and the prince. This godmother, Lil, barely resembles the usual fairy godmother imagery. She is not a benevolent, rather flighty, bringer of good fortune. Well, at times, yes, she is, but not in the expected ways. Lil is bereft from her losses and lonely although blessed with friends and people who care about her in the mortal world. Now that she is banished, stuck living in New York City and working in a small rare bookstore, she desperately wants to return home. She is desperately trying to re-earn her wings to borrow the cliché of angels. She finds a new woman, Vivian, she hopes to help and thus redeem herself. The story unfolds, mixed with flashbacks to 300 years earlier when she first tried to help Cinderella win her prince.

There are a few surprises and twists and an ending that will most likely either satisfy or frustrate the reader. This book explores the psychological side of the character while still telling an interesting story. It’s a fairly easy read, not an overly heavy or long one—it’s considerably shorter than anything by the above mentioned Maguire, for one thing. I’m still digesting it, not adoring it, but enjoying it all the same, more intrigued than anything.

So yes, I recommend it. I admit the book sat on my stack of TBR books (always an overwhelming stack) for a while since the reviews had been mixed and I was reluctant. Consequently, I ended up liking the book much more than I expected to. If the subject and themes interest you, try it and don't put it down until the end which will hopefully make it all worthwhile for you.

Fables by Bill Willingham on WSJ

Fables by Bill Willingham makes a short appearance this week on the Wall Street Journal's Speakeasy blog: "Fables" Brings Fairy Tales in Modern Era. Those in the know, know that Willingham's Fables and spin-off Jack of Fables have been around for several years now.

I especially enjoyed this answer from Willingham in the article:

Have any writers ever said they wanted to kick themselves for not thinking of this idea sooner?

To correct one thing, I didn’t think of it first. People have been doing this all along — some with more success than others. There was a made-for-TV miniseries called “The 10th Kingdom” a few years back and almost within days of submitting my “Fables” proposal to [DC Comics], I saw a trailer for the first “Shrek” movie, which had every idea I’ve ever had. But yeah, people have come up to me, saying, “Oh, what an amazing idea, I wish I had thought of it,” to which my response is, “The characters are available — do your version.”

However, Willingham has a new Fables universe prose novel--not graphic novel--coming out in October which he is promoting on WSJ and at the upcoming Comic*Con in San Diego. The novel is Peter and Max and Willingham pre-announced it last year on the SurLaLune Discussion boards, too.

Here's the novel description from the publisher:

A new stand-alone FABLES NOVEL from award-winning and wildly acclaimed author, Bill Willingham.

This story stars Peter Piper and his incorrigible brother Max in a tale about jealousy, betrayal and revenge. Set in two distinct time periods, prepare to travel back to medieval times and learn the tragic back-story of the Piper family, a medieval-era family of traveling minstrels. Then, jump into the present to follow a tale of espionage as Peter Piper slowly hunts down his evil brother for a heinous crime, pitting Peter's talents as a master thief against Max's dark magical powers.

Based on the long-running and award-winning comic book series FABLES, PETER AND MAX is its own tale. Readers don't have to be familiar with the comics to fully enjoy and understand this book.

I have images and links for all the graphic novel compilations from of the two series available here: Graphic Novels on SurLaLune. There's an average of two releases each for the two titles each year. I'm happy the series is going strong and has grown in popularity.

Beastly (2010)

Well, it's almost exactly a year away from release if the dates don't change, but Beastly, based on the novel by Alex Flinn, is currently slated for July 30, 2010. The movie stars Vanessa Hudgins (High School Musical), Mary-Kate Olson, Neil Patrick Harris (Dr. Horrible) and Alex Pettyfer in the title role. Pettyfer doesn't have a long list of acting credits so far, but he also starred as Alex Rider in the Stormbreaker adaptation a few years ago, so he's not a stranger to novels turned into films.

A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

Released at the end of April, Alex Flinn has written a new fairy tale retelling, A Kiss in Time, a modernized version of Sleeping Beauty. Her previous novel, Beastly, was a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and will be a feature film released next summer. (Have I mentioned the abundance of fairy tale films arriving in 2010? Have to do that soon!)



At first, one doesn’t realize that this novel will be modern day since the opening chapters present us with Talia, the cursed princess of Euphrasia. Talia (her name hearkens back to the Italian Sleeping Beauty: The Sun, Moon, and Talia), has been sheltered and never left alone for fear that she will either die or fall into a long sleep, taking her entire kingdom with her, if she touches a spindle. Just before her 16th birthday, the last day of the curse, she is tricked by the wicked fairy Malvolia into touching a spindle. The entire kingdom, not far from Belgium apparently, disappears from world view while it sleeps along with her.

Three hundred years pass until Jack is traveling around Europe, bored and somewhat rebellious. He and his best friend discover the sleeping Talia. Jack is compelled by her beauty and ends up kissing her, breaking the curse and awakening the entire forgot kingdom.

Of course, the happily ever after doesn’t arrive then. He discovers that Talia is rather spoiled and demanding. He isn’t too excited about finding true love either, since he’s not very enamored with his own life or situation either. Still, Talia and Jack are compelled to be together for various reasons despite all their conflicts. Many adventures ensue as they learn and grow-up and manage to build a relationship along the way. A 300 year age difference is rather daunting and they are faced with the extra burden of Euphrasia needing to learn how to function in the 21st century.

The novel isn’t perfect and borders on the too sweet at times despite the somewhat caustic hero and heroine. However, the elements that made it not quite perfect for me just might endear it to its young adult audience looking for fun fairy tale escapism. It is a fun romp and a fine new interpretation of the classic tale, quick to read, and entertaining.



I’ll admit to having flashbacks to my favorite current day setting Sleeping Beauty, Enchantment by Orson Scott Card, although this is a vastly different book aimed at a younger audience. Who can forget the brilliance of Baba Yaga’s house on chicken legs being a commercial airplane in Card’s version? If you enjoy this one, add Enchantment to your reading or re-reading list. I did. It's already waiting for me on my Kindle. :)

Books, anyone?

I've been busy sorting through my backlog of blog ideas and have managed to post for several weeks without discussing, promoting, reviewing, or saying much of anything about books beyond the bargain books post last week. Shocking! Granted the summer months have been slow with few new releases using fairy tale themes, but there are always some and I have neglected new books and fairly recent books and oldies but goodies, too.

To make up for the lack, this week's posts will focus on recent releases from 2009 in fiction and nonfiction. I'll be adding and updating titles to the mainsite, too, since I'm a little behind there.