A post feminist interpretation of archetypal fairy tales that moves the heart and the mind. The spare prose flows effortlessly like a comb through Rapunzel's hair! Though some of the themes are disturbing and suitable only for mature readers, the heroines do ultimately prevail. A good choice for a curriculum unit: comparitive analysis of fairy tales and exploration of their themes and allegories. ( )

Nine fairy tales retold in the Block manner -- edgy, blunt, and with no language spared. Lyrical in voice, yet satirical, too, these tales are short, not so sweet, and irreverent.

Block is not my cup of tea, but probably popular with teens.

Unpredictable endings. Most of the tales' origin are obvious, but there are a few that I'm not sure of. My favourite would be Beast, I really liked how she ended the story. Though a little on the dark side, it's a refreshing read.

These short stories are well-written in poetic form adding to the emotional intensity. They turn the original fairy tale on its ear. Instead of enjoying them as I expected, I ended up sorry I'd read them. Some are less offensive than others. Fairy tales reveal truths and themes of culture, and unfortunately this book tells more of a culture I reject. In particular, one story portrays a homosexual relationship as being the redemption of a sexually abused child. ( )

Nine short stories based on fairy tales.

Francesca Lia Block is a writer like no other. Her books and stories focus on emotion, above all else. She weaves a rich tapestry with her words, eschewing technical details in favour of an approach that captures the feel of the story more than the actual events. To read her is to be swept along at breakneck speed, unsure of where you'll be at journey's end.

I could spew cliches all day. The bottom line is, they're all true of FLB. She's one hell of an author, and her stories pack a huge wallop.

The tales in this collection are no exception. Block is in fine form here. Though these stories were inspired by nine fairy tales, (Snow White, Thumbelina, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, Rose Red, Bluebeard, Beauty and the Beast and The Snow Queen), Block makes them her own. You may get more out of them if you're familiar with the source material, but I don't think you really need to know the fairy tales in order to get the most out of these stories.

As is always the case, Block focuses on the emotions involved more than the specifics. She demands intuitive leaps from her readers, but each piece of the puzzle is set up so nicely that there's really no effort involved. She tugs at our heartstrings and reminds us of places we've all been before. We can empathize with these characters, even as we're dazzled by the trappings of the strangely familiar realms in which they reside.

I most definitely recommend this to anyone with an interest in innovative short fiction and/or fairy tale retellings. Be aware, however, that this is not a collection for all readers. It deals with some difficult themes, including abuse, and some readers may find it triggering. ( )