Freaky Fairy Tales

Has it been a while since you read a fairy tale? If so, you might be surprised at some modern versions of old-time stories. Check out one of these odd little tales for to read over break -- Mother Goose is a long way behind these freaky, slightly fractured stories. Children are definitely optional.

Fractured Fairy Tales by A.J. Jacobs. These short tales were originally shown as cartoons during The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle show. These stories are the original bent, folded, and mutilated fairy tales. Think twisted, punny, and many unexpected endings. (SC JAC)

Tam Lin by Pamela Dean. Tam Lin is a modern retelling of the ancient Scottish song by the same name. In this version, a Scottish forest is a college campus and Tam Lin is a student. The magic, intrigue, and angry Queen of the Fairies are still there. Tam Lin is a cult classic for people who like fantastic fiction and romance. (FIC DEA)

Fables: The Mean Seasons by Bill Willingham etc. Winner of many awards, the Vertigo series author remakes several fairy tales by throwing the characters (Cinderella, a "big, bearded man who lives in the North,"... into present-day New York City. Chaos and catastrophes ensue, as in Colin the Pig’s severed head answering when Snow White asks him if it’s over and if things will ever get better—“Oh dear, oh dear. I wish I could say it did, Snow. I truly wish I could.”  (GN WIL FAB v. 5)

-MJD