Free Story: Straw by Daniel Nayeri

Remember six weeks ago when I posted about Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow: Four Novellas by Daniel Nayeri? Well, one of the stories from the book, Straw, is now available free to Kindle readers.

Here's the story's description:

In this profoundly allegorical cutting-edge novella, a sizzling Western set on a farm filled with living toys, readers meet a young straw man who must lay his life on the line to defend his master's home, who loves a basil-eyed girl, and who searches for manhood through the fiery confusion of adolescence. If you enjoy reading "Straw House," check out Daniel Nayeri's three other whimsical riffs on classic genres, all available in the collection Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow.

Here's my original post, too:

Straw House, Wood House, Brick House, Blow: Four Novellas by Daniel Nayeri. Okay, no, this book isn't released until October, so I am jumping the gun. But from what I can tell it really doesn't have anything to do with fairy tales other than its borrowing the concept of straw, wood, brick and blow from The Three Little Pigs. That was enough to intrigue me.

Here's the publisher's description:

Written entirely on an iPhone, this quartet of YA novellas by Another Pan and Another Faust author Daniel Nayeri showcases four different genres.

This bold collection of novellas by Another series author Daniel Nayeri features four riveting tales. These modern riffs on classic genres will introduce young adult readers to a broad range of writing styles that explore universally compelling themes such as identity and belonging, betrayal and friendship, love and mortality.

Straw House: A Western sizzling with suspense, set in a land where a rancher grows soulless humans and a farmer grows living toys.

Wood House: This science-fiction tale plunges the reader into a future where reality and technology blend imperceptibly, and a teenage girl must race to save the world from a nano-revolution that a corporation calls "ReCreation Day."

Brick House: This detective story set in modern NYC features a squad of "wish police" and a team of unlikely detectives.

Blow: A comedic love story told by none other than Death himself, portrayed here as a handsome and charismatic hero who may steal your heart in more ways than one. With humor, suspense, and relatable prose, this hip and cutting-edge collection dazzles.

About the Author

Daniel Nayeri is a writer and editor in New York City. He loves pastry chefing and was once an award-winning stuntman.

And, no, I don't find it impressive this was written entirely on an iPhone. Toilet paper, paper, computer, iPhone, I don't care how or where it was composed, only if it is good. I hope it is because I am in love with the concept and the story descriptions are interesting, too. The kitschy stuff I can leave behind.

New Book: Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu is released today, in ebook format, too. While one might assume it is a Hansel and Gretel retelling, it is actually a Snow Queen interpretation.

Book description from the publisher:

A stunning modern-day fairy tale from acclaimed author Anne Ursu.

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it's up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," Breadcrumbs is a story of the struggle to hold on, and the things we leave behind.

About the Author

Anne Ursu is the author of the three middle-grade novels that comprise the
Cronus Chronicles trilogy: The Shadow Thieves, The Siren Song, and The Immortal Fire. She teaches at Hamline University's MFA program in Writing for Children and is a lifelong Minnesota Twins fan. Anne lives in Minneapolis with her son and cats.

Reviews:

Like a fairy-tale heroine, Hazel traverses the woods without a breadcrumb trail to save a boy who may not want to be saved in this multi-layered, artfully crafted, transforming testament to the power of friendship. (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) )

The evocative magical landscape, superbly developed characters (particularly dreamy, self-doubting, determined Hazel and lost Jack), and the piercing sadness of a faltering childhood friendship give this delicately written fantasy wide and lingering appeal. (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) )

The creepy fantasyland that Hazel traverses uses bits from other Andersen tales to create a story that...is beautifully written and wholly original. It’s certainly the only children’s fantasy around where Minnesota Twins All-Star catcher Joe Mauer figures into the plot. (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )

“Devastatingly brilliant and beautiful...Ursu has sculpted a rich and poignant adventure that brings readers deep into the mysterious, magical, and sometimes frightening forests of childhood and change. Breadcrumbs is one of those rare novels that turned me on my head then sat on my heart and refused to budge.” (Ingrid Law, Newbery Honor-winning author of Savvy )

“This is a lyrical book, a lovely book, and a smart book; it dares us to see stories as spreading more widely, and running more deeply, than we had imagined.” (Gary Schmidt, Newbery Honor-winning author of The Wednesday Wars )

From the Brothers Grimm: Willa: An American Snow White

From the Brothers Grimm: Willa: An American Snow White from Davenport Films happens to be one of my favorite film versions of Snow White. It is not inexpensive on DVD, but thanks to modern technology it is available to rent for 72 hours for $1.99 on YouTube. You may not be familiar with the From the Brothers Grimm series, but it is a fun and educational one, offering fairy tales with a Southern U.S. flavor--which I adore since I am a Southern girl.  Willa is one of the best in the series although my husband and I have a fondness for From the Brothers Grimm: Soldier Jack: The Man Who Caught Death in a Sack, one of our personal favorites. We haven't watched it in several years--we only have it on VHS--but John still talks about it on occasion as if we watched it only a few weeks ago. It is one of his favorite fairy tales as a result of this film, although being John, he predictably loves trickster tales.

Really, these films should be watched, especially Willa and Soldier Jack. And where else can you see and share film versions of Mutzmag or Bearskin or Ashpet or The Goose Girl and others? It's too bad the series has essentially ended but I'm happy we have these.

Here's a preview:



And here's a review:

Once upon a time there was a filmmaker in Virginia named Tom Davenport who had the uncanny knack of being able to create winsome live-action American Versions of classic fairy tales in a multi-award winning series called From the Brothers Grimm... and, by golly, he's gone and done it again! In Willa: An American Snow White -- based on the timeless tale of monstrous vanity transforming into a murderous jealousy -- the young Becky Stark is radiant as the photogenic orphan Willa. Having lost her mother and later her (remarried) father, poor Willa now lives with her aging stepmother Regina (Caitlin O'Connell), a former queen of the stage who carries a certain mirror which reassures her regularly that she's the bee's knees. "Although Willa tries to court her stepmother's favor, she makes the nearly fatal error of attending a house party looking better than her stepmother; an offense which is, of course, punishable by death. Taking mercy on the child, Regina's henpecked servant Otto (Mark Jaster) takes her into the woods, where she later hooks up with a traveling medicine fair (the story is set circa 1915) and -- sweet irony -- ends up playing Snow White on stage to rapt small-town audiences. "From a business standpoint, naturally, the play is not the thing; what's important are the commercials. Which is why the crowds are regularly regaled with eloquent sales pitches for Chief Tonka's Elixir of Life (the innocent Willa, when questioning the potion's actual efficacy in alleviating all and sundry woes is told succinctly: "It's not meant to cure, it's meant to sell.") "Needless to say, complications arise when Regina discovers that her stepdaughter is not only still sucking in oxygen, but playing to (relatively) packed village fields, a fact which really makes her come unglued in a kind of Gloria-Swanson-Sunset Boulevard-ish way. Clever scripting, wonderful comic timing, Davenport's trademark faithfulness to the darkness of the tales. --Randy Pitman, editor Video Librarian (September-October 1997)

Grimm Pictures: Fairy Tale Archetypes in Eight Horror and Suspense Films by Walter Rankin

Grimm Pictures: Fairy Tale Archetypes in Eight Horror and Suspense Films by Walter Rankin is another book I received for a review a while back. I thought I had already posted about it and planned to repost it for film month, but apparently I haven't since I couldn't find the post. But enough about my inadequacies!

Book description from the publisher:

Though Grimm's Fairy Tales was published about 200 years ago, the revered collection of folk stories remains one of the most iconic pieces of children's literature and has had significant influence in modern pop culture. This work examines the many ways that recent films have employed archetypal images, themes, symbols, and structural elements that originated in the most well-known Grimm fairy tales. The author draws similarities between the cannibalistic symbolism of the Grimm brothers' Little Red Cap and the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs and reveals Faustian parallels between Rumpelstiltskin and the 1968 film Rosemary's Baby. Each of eight chapters reveals a similar pairing, and film stills and illustrations are featured throughout the work.

About the Author

Walter Rankin is Deputy Associate Dean and an affiliate associate professor of English and German at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He lives in Broadlands, Virginia.

Table of Contents:

Table of Contents

Preface 7

Introduction

Branding the Grimm Brothers
From the Black Forest to the Hollywood Hills 11

1. The Path of Beast Resistance
“Little Red Cap” and The Silence of the Lambs 17

2. A Rose by Any Other Name
“Brier Rose” and Scream 40

3. The Hand That Hawks the Cradle
“Rapunzel” and The Ring 60

4. The Object of My Reflection
“Little Snow White” and The Talented Mr. Ripley 81

5. Mother of the Pride
“Cinderella” and Aliens 100

6. The Devil in the Details
“Rumpelstiltskin” and Rosemary’s Baby 118

7. Off the Eaten Path
“Hansel and Gretel” and What Lies Beneath 142

Conclusion
The Writhing on the Wall
“Mother Holle” and Misery 168

Notes 193
Bibliography 203
Index 211

Now, isn't that fascinating? Those are some unexpected films. As we all know, I am a wimp when it comes to film horror, so I haven't seen many of the movies discussed which makes it hard for me to fully evaluate the arguments for the inclusion of fairy tale archetypes. I admit I thought Mother Holle and Misery would be a stretch, but I can see the basis for argument. And, really, Silence of the Lambs and Little Red Cap is quite understandable if one sets one's imagination to it. In the end, Rankin makes some interesting comparisons and this book would be EXCELLENT for students looking for ways to tie horror film to fairy tales. I can just imagine the papers...

The Enchanted Screen: The Unknown History of Fairy-Tale Films by Jack Zipes

The Enchanted Screen: The Unknown History of Fairy-Tale Films by Jack Zipes is the book that inspired this month's fairy tale film month along with all of the fairy tale film releases on the near horizon. I am also giving away one copy to a name drawn from the list of guest posters this month--you still have time to submit your own. The guest posts have inspired more comments and discussion than my regular posts, so thank you to all who have participated.

This is an essential book if you are wanting to read about fairy tale film history and analysis. First of all, it's by Jack Zipes. He's one of the most published voices in fairy tale studies and deservedly so. No, you may not always agree with his opinions and conclusions, but you need to know them. Also, this book discusses a wider range of films than similar books attempt. It's not just the greatest hits as I like to call them, such as Disney and Shrek and Company of Wolves, for example.

Which brings me to the two goldmines of the book: The Bibliography and The Filmography. The bibliography of any academic book is always a critical element of the book, leading you to more research and resources you may have missed. The one in this book is excellent. But the Filmography is wonderful, too. Zipes states it is a first "stab" at compiling a comprehensive list of fairy tale films. It's the most comprehensive I have seen to date. I would have loved to have had it when SurLaLune was new and I was compiling my own limited lists with limited resources.

Book description from the publisher:

The Enchanted Screen: The Unknown History of Fairy-Tale Films offers readers a long overdue, comprehensive look at the rich history of fairy tales and their influence on film, complete with the inclusion of an extensive filmography compiled by the author.　 With this book, Jack Zipes not only looks at the extensive, illustrious life of fairy tales and cinema, but he also reminds us that, decades before Walt Disney made his mark on the genre, fairy tales were central to the birth of cinema as a medium, as they offered cheap, copyright-free material that could easily engage audiences not only though their familiarity but also through their dazzling special effects.
　
Since the story of fairy tales on film stretches far beyond Disney, this book, therefore, discusses a broad range of films silent, English and non-English, animation, live-action, puppetry, woodcut, montage (Jim Henson), cartoon, and digital. Zipes, thus, gives his readers an in depth look into the special relationship between fairy tales and cinema, and guides us through this vast array of films by tracing the adaptations of major fairy tales like "Little Red Riding Hood," "Cinderella," "Snow White," "Peter Pan," and many more, from their earliest cinematic appearances to today.
　
Full of insight into some of our most beloved films and stories, and boldly illustrated with numerous film stills, The Enchanted Screen, is essential reading for film buffs and fans of the fairy tale alike.

Table of Contents (what I always look at first):

Preface

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Part I

1. Filmic Adaptation and Appropriation of the Fairy Tale

2. De-Disneyfying Disney: Notes on the Development of the Fairy-Tale Film

3. Georges Méliès: Pioneer of the Fairy-Tale Film and the Art of the Ridiculous

4. Animated Fairy-tale Cartoons: Celebrating the Carnival Art of the Ridiculous

5. Animated Feature Fairy-Tale Films

Part II


6. Cracking the Magic Mirror: Re-Presentations of Snow White

7. The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Riding Hood Revisited and Reviewed

8. Bluebeard's Original Sin and the Rise of Serial Killing, Mass Murder, and Fascism

9. The Triumph of the Underdog: Cinderella’s Legacy

10. Abusing and Abandoning Children: "Hansel and Gretel," "Tom Thumb," "The Pied Piper," "Donkey-Skin," and "The Juniper Tree"

11. Choosing the Right Mate: Why Beasts and Frogs Make for Ideal Husbands

12. Andersen’s Cinematic Legacy: Trivialization and Innovation

Part III

13. Adapting Fairy-Tale Novels

14. Between Slave Language and Utopian Optimism: Neglected Fairy-Tale Films of Central and Eastern Europe

15. Fairy-Tale Films in Dark Times: Breaking Molds, Seeing the World Anew

Bibliography

Filmography

Some reviews:

"Jack Zipes takes us beyond Disney and DreamWorks to the many films that draw on fairy-tale sorcery for their cinematic power. With fierce analytic energy, encyclopedic inclusiveness, and imaginative verve, he enlivens an expansive history that reaches back to Georges Méliès's enchantments and ends with the complex grotesqueries of Pan's Labyrinth and Little Otik." —Maria Tatar, Harvard University

"The Enchanted Screen is a labor of love and a major work of scholarship, encyclopedic in reach and rich in sustained and detailed thinking. The ‘unknown history’ of fairy-tale film is lucky to have found such a skilled and dedicated narrator." —Stephen Benson, University of East Anglia Norwich

"Last year, Zipes (emer., Univ. of Minnesota) contributed a foreword for Fairy Tale Films: Visions of Ambiguity (CH, Mar'11, 48-3760), a delightful collection edited by Pauline Greenhill and Sidney Eve Matrix. This year, Zipes presents an extensive, well-organized study of fairy tales in the film genre. Zipes's knowledge of films from a wide variety of cultures is admirable. In the silent era, fairy tales provided filmmakers worthy material free of copyright expense. From the 1930s on, the film industry was able to put old wine into new bottles with both color and sound, a la Walt Disney and filmmakers in other parts of the world. Taking a fresh approach to major films, Zipes avoides the heavy use of jargon and instead offers clear, direct commentary on the films themselves and their oral and literary sources ... Zipes gives the reader 10 pages of endnotes, 12 pages of bibliography, 38 pages of filmography, and a thorough index--all in fine print. The influence of this book will extend for decades. Summing Up: Essential. All readers."
--CHOICE, June 2011 (R. Blackwood, City Colleges of Chicago)

Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tri Orisky Pro Popelku)

 

When I first started SurLaLune almost thirteen(!) years ago, I was innundated with several frequently asked questions that I rarely receive now--mostly because I have incorporated answers on the site and because the breadth of information on the internet has grown. And, yes, SurLaLune, predates Google a little, too. I remember Google in Beta. But one of the frequently asked questions was from many, many readers trying to identify this movie: Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tri Orisky Pro Popelku), also known as Three Nuts for Cinderella.

To be honest, this has been on my to-be-watched list for years, but I have never seen it from start to finish. What I have seen is appealing. But this is a fan favorite, the favorite film Cinderella for many and one that slipped my mind the other day when I discussed other Cinderella films.

The DVDs are out of print again, but again, someone has posted the film in parts on YouTube. I'm embedding a few chapters here. Has anyone reading here seen this?

New Picture Book Series: The Other Side of the Story

This new series--The Other Side of the Story--launched last month with four titles. Yes, it is inspired by The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and its imitators. But it looks fun and modern and plays with some classroom favorites, so here we go....

Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!; The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf (The Other Side of the Story) by Trisha Speed Shaskan and illustrated by Gerald Guerlais.

OF COURSE you think I did a horrible thing by eating Little Red Riding Hood and her granny. You don't know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you...

Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying!; The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother (The Other Side of the Story) by Trisha Sue Speed Shaskan and illustrated by Gerald Guerlais.

OF COURSE you think Cinderella was the sweetest belle of the ball. You don't know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you...

Trust Me, Jack's Beanstalk Stinks!;The Story of Jack and the Beanstalk as told by the Giant (The Other Side of the Story) by Eric Mark Braun and illustrated by Cristian Bernardini.

OF COURSE you think I was the bad guy, terrifying poor little Jack. You don't know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you...

Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks!; The Story of the Three Bears as Told by Baby Bear (The Other Side of the Story) by Nancy Jean Loewen and illustrated by Tatevik Avakyan.

OF COURSE you think Goldilocks was a brat who broke in and trashed our house. You don't know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you...