This one is too short to count towards my 52, but I really liked it and want to share the love. If you enjoy folklore and fairy tales and like when the tales are retold, you should grab this one. It’s a super quick read and worth your time.
There are twenty two stories here, including Rapunzel, the Twelve Dancing Princesses, Hansel and Gretel, the Ugly Duckling, Rumpelstiltskin, Red Riding Hood, and the Princess with that damned pea.
The tales are told as short poems without much introduction. We know who Cinderella is, so when we hear the aftermath from the stepsisters’ point of view, we don’t need to hear all that crap about the ball again.
To make these stories all the more sweet is the amazing mix between Once Upon and Time and Modern Time.
Cinderella’s stepsisters have surgery instead of their mother hacking off their toes.
Rapunzel’s mother talks about her three times a week therapy appointments. The prince meets other princes in rehab while he waits for his eyes to heal.
The Little Match Girl is selling her CDs on the corner. The cops find her dead, but what are you going to do?
Cannonball Read V 