Twenty-four stories in this collection, some entirely original, others are variations or inversions of well-known fairy tales. Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Red Riding Hood all make appearances, although it may take readers a while to recognize them. The titles help.
When the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm traveled about gathering fireside tales of witches, giants, talking animals, third sons, king’s daughters, enchantments, and problematical parents, Europe was going through a mini ice age, and there were wars and skirmishes, although not on the scale of the Napoleonic wars. Shelter and food were of paramount concern, so shelter, or the lack of it, and food, or the lack of it, were recurring themes in fairy tales. A wedding which included feasting and entertainment that lasted for days or even a year was the mark of a truly happy ending. Our present climate extremes are different, but they still result in famine; catastrophes and wars still turn people into refugees. Many of the fairy tales here reflect these all too real dangers. More than one protagonist is a refugee. As a result, these stories perform much the same function as the old fairy tales: they give readers, or listeners, a chance to confront fears, to see their hazards in context, to glimpse around the corners of their hearts. These are fairy tales for adults. There are no unambiguously happily-ever-after endings, but sometimes there are hopeful beginnings. You are more likely to dream vividly after reading them.
At a guess, Jane Yolen and Neil Gaiman have been major influences on Alma Alexander. If you like either (or both) authors, you will probably find a kindred spirit here. Chris Wozney
For more titles by Alma Alexander click here
|
|