Fiction Book Reviews

Book Review: Fairy Tales From the Brothers Grimm

By Sandy Amazeen Oct 25, 2012, 2:53 GMT

Whether you think you know the fairy tales of Brothers Grimm or are looking to introduce them to a child, this updated version is definitely worth adding to your library. Pullman's retelling of fifty of the all time best-loved stories not only includes "classics"¯ like Cinderella but also some wonderful if lesser-known tales such as The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers, The Girl With No Hands and The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces. Although these fairy tales are short and simple, Pullman's eloquent retelling is simply wonderful as he smoothes out the rough spots in the storylines while leaving the heart and soul intact. At the conclusion of each tale is a bit of history including the source of the story, similar titles and other variations along with the occasional insights into how Pullman tweaked it. While young and old alike will enjoy these renovated tales, it would be a delight to share the magic by reading them aloud to your favorite youngsters.