Friday, August 10, 2012

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

A Tale Dark and Grimm
by Adam Gidwitz
Dutton, 2010

GENRE: Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy, Horror, Fractured Fairy Tale

HONORS: None known

REVIEW: The trend over the last centuries was to soften the originally dark and gruesome fairy tales written by the Brothers Grimm. Adam Gidtwitz decided to take these stories back to their roots and then some by writing eight graphic and bloody new tales starring Hansel and Gretel, starting with the story of their parents and birth. Through their journeys, Hansel and Gretel encounter witches and warlocks, and even the devil himself.

OPINION: I listened to this book as an audible audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t imagine I would have enjoyed it as much simply reading the book. I loved how the reader continually warns the listener that things are about to get much more graphic with many false “the ends” to allow the faint of heart bow out before things get too bloody. I’m sure these are written into the book as well, but they seemed more effective being read aloud.

IDEAS: This would work well in a Fairy Tale Fantasy or Horror display. It would also make a fun lesson/program as a creative writing assignment to re-imagine other familiar tales.

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