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96th out of 920 books
—
5,218 voters
Snow White, Blood Red (The Snow White, Blood Red Anthology Series #1)
by
Ellen Datlow (Goodreads Author) ,
Terri Windling (Goodreads Author) , Elizabeth A. Lynn , Harvey Jacobs , Steve Rasnic Tem (Goodreads Author) , Melanie Tem , Caroline Stevermer , Ryan Edmonds
,
more…
Once upon a time, fairy tales
were for children . . . But no longer.
were for children . . . But no longer.
You hold in your hands a volume of wonders -- magical tales of trolls and ogres, of bewitched princesses and kingdoms accursed, penned by some of the most acclaimed fantasists of our day. But these are not bedtime stories designed to usher an innocent child gently into a realm of dreams. These are stories
...moreMass Market Paperback, 414 pages
Published
December 1st 1993
by Eos
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Sep 12, 2007
Kelly
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fantasy fans with slightly twisted minds
These are retellings of classic Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson fairy tales that we're all familiar with with adult twists and turns put on them, some of them reworked in a modern setting, some not. Some of them are horror stories, some of them are suspense thrillers, all of them are at least mildly creepy. I enjoyed all of them, if only for seeing how all the tales I grew up with were subverted and twisted around. I also enjoyed learning that these tales are probably closer to the or...more
Aug 16, 2007
hypothermya
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those hungry for fairytales with meat, not empty calories
It has been a long time since I sat down and read this book, and so I can barely remember a lot of my impressions and thoughts about it. However, it retains a place in my book case for several reasons.
The first reason why it will never leave my bookcase is because it contains a story called A Sound, Like Angels Singing. This story, written by an author who I had not heard of at the time (Leonard Rysdyk), is pure genius. It is visceral, haunting, and touching -- and outshines every story in this...more
The first reason why it will never leave my bookcase is because it contains a story called A Sound, Like Angels Singing. This story, written by an author who I had not heard of at the time (Leonard Rysdyk), is pure genius. It is visceral, haunting, and touching -- and outshines every story in this...more
This collection of short stories are re-tellings of fairy tales. Some are very recognizable, told from varying view points or told in a different time. Others are more subtle but still maintain the fairy tale theme. Most of the stories are good, though there are a few that are a bit hard to get through. Some are funny, most are sensual, and all have been re-done to appeal to adults.
There are several books in this collection, this one being the first. Fairy tale fans should enjoy this collection...more
There are several books in this collection, this one being the first. Fairy tale fans should enjoy this collection...more
The original, or older, or simply "non-Disney" versions of most fairy tales are highly disturbing. It seems that half the authors in this collection took that as a challenge to make modern fairy tales five times as disturbing as the disturbing originals.
This does not mean the tales are bad. These are very good authors, with a highly developed sense of writing, of the magical, of imparting ideas without spelling out every minute detail, of leaving the audience with a good starting point for disc...more
This does not mean the tales are bad. These are very good authors, with a highly developed sense of writing, of the magical, of imparting ideas without spelling out every minute detail, of leaving the audience with a good starting point for disc...more
As a fan of fairy tales, I had great hopes for this collection of reinvented classics. Sadly, most of the stories in the collection were fairly lackluster, neither inspiring new depth to old stories, nor faithfully recreating them. There are some stunning exceptions, however, most notably the stories by Neil Gaiman, Leonard Rysdyk, and Patricia McKillip, offering their takes on the Billy Goats Gruff, the Pied Piper, and the Snow Queen, respectively.
"Troll Bridge" has a boy who promises his life...more
"Troll Bridge" has a boy who promises his life...more
Of the various fairy tale anthologies in this series that I've read, it is certainly the darkest and most unsettling. I really enjoyed Charles de Lint's story, The Moon Is Drowning While I Sleep, and I liked Patrica McKillip's The Snow Queen, but other than that, I thought that a large number of the stories were too dark for my taste.
Trigger warnings: Little Red contains implied seduction of a minor by a "wolf." In I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood, it is implied that the narrator is intendin...more
Trigger warnings: Little Red contains implied seduction of a minor by a "wolf." In I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood, it is implied that the narrator is intendin...more
If there was a half-star option, I'd give this book a 3.5. It's good, but its not a solid 4.
Collections of short stories are sometimes difficult to rate, particularly with different authors. This is one of those difficult collections; I am, in general, a fan of the retold and respun story. But it was made very clear from the beginning that these were fairy stories "for adults"- and it felt like a few of these were oversexed for the sake of appearing more legitimately "adult."
The darkness, and of...more
Collections of short stories are sometimes difficult to rate, particularly with different authors. This is one of those difficult collections; I am, in general, a fan of the retold and respun story. But it was made very clear from the beginning that these were fairy stories "for adults"- and it felt like a few of these were oversexed for the sake of appearing more legitimately "adult."
The darkness, and of...more
My Favorites:
Like a Red, Red Rose -- not a retelling of any particular tale, but it feels so very familiar.
The Root of the Matter and The Princess in the Tower - perhaps I just have a soft spot for the Rapunzel tale.
Troll Bridge -- one of my favorite tales as a child, and one I remember making my Grandmother read over and over to me again...Three Billy Goats Gruff
A Sound Like Angels Singing -- I won't ruin it, but a beautiful tale, from a different perspective
Knives -- a poem, a fairy tale, beau...more
Like a Red, Red Rose -- not a retelling of any particular tale, but it feels so very familiar.
The Root of the Matter and The Princess in the Tower - perhaps I just have a soft spot for the Rapunzel tale.
Troll Bridge -- one of my favorite tales as a child, and one I remember making my Grandmother read over and over to me again...Three Billy Goats Gruff
A Sound Like Angels Singing -- I won't ruin it, but a beautiful tale, from a different perspective
Knives -- a poem, a fairy tale, beau...more
Oct 07, 2012
Daisy*•.♥.•*
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horror-paranormal,
mystical-fantasy
Oh Walt Disney would be shaking his head to this book! These stories have a dark twist to the fairy tales many of us grew up with. Some are filled with perverse thoughts, while others are ruled by disturbing actions. "Snow White, Blood Red" are not fairy tales for children by far! My favorite stories in this collection were:"Like a Red Red Rose, "The Moon Is Drowning While I Sleep", "Stalking Beans", "Snow Drop", "Little Red" & "The Root of the Matter".
I did like the fairy tale elements, en...more
I did like the fairy tale elements, en...more
This came very close to being a five-star book, and it was easy for me to see why it's garnered so much admiration amongst fans of retold fairy tales. The only thing that kept it from getting five-stars is that there were two or three stories that fell short. But the rest of the stories more than made up for it.
Most of the stories in this collection felt just the right "length" to give fairy tales a deeper exploration without dragging them out more than necessary. As I work on my own fairy tale...more
Most of the stories in this collection felt just the right "length" to give fairy tales a deeper exploration without dragging them out more than necessary. As I work on my own fairy tale...more
I wanted to like this book. I really really did. With the exception of a few stories, mostly contributions by Charles de Lint and Neil Gaiman, I was over all disappointed. This collection of short stories means to bring dark twists to classic fairy tales for a more adult audience to enjoy. Most these stories just contain very awkward sexual scenes, some of which even include child molestations, which is beyond my comfort zone. I feel most these authors thought adding sexual content would make th...more
Feb 05, 2013
Toni King
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Toni by:
Katrina King
I mostly enjoyed this book, I just didn't LOOOVE it. I really liked the original spin the authors took on classic fairy tales (Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, The Pied Piper, etc.), but I didn't like the fact that almost every single story had to take it to a place that talked about something distusting or disturbing in the sexual realm. The stories would have been perfectly great - and even better, in my opinion! - without adding that junk in there. It's like they felt they couldn't have a good st...more
Great anthologies like this have much to do with why I love good short stories. Bringing together well-written tales with common themes, this volume is packed full of creepy tales.
I originally sought out in order to read Tanith Lee, who rights some of the best fairy tale and horror inspired short stories I have read. But enjoyed many of the gems in this book. I like the concept of taking a tale or legend that we know well, and doing something unexpected with it. I like the twists to the old cli...more
I originally sought out in order to read Tanith Lee, who rights some of the best fairy tale and horror inspired short stories I have read. But enjoyed many of the gems in this book. I like the concept of taking a tale or legend that we know well, and doing something unexpected with it. I like the twists to the old cli...more
Highly recommended for fans of erotica, horror and dark fantasy, this collection of original short stories revises well-known fairy tales for the adult reader. Many take place in contemporary settings and feature strong sexual and/or horror themes. More than a few are quite disturbing (much to my delight). While Snow White and Red Riding Hood seem to get the most treatment here (at least 2 versions of each), my personal favorite is a vivid and harrowing spin on Rapunzel titled " At The Root of t...more
A wonderful collection of fairy tales. My favorites, I think, and this would probably change based on mood are: Like a Red, Red Rose by Susan Wade, which I had read before but still enjoyed; Snow-Drop by Tanith Lee, which is dark and visceral; The Changelings by Melanie Tem; and The Snow Queen by Patricia Mckillip. I also love Neil Gaiman's contribution, though I've read it in many anthologies, and A Sound, like Angels Singing by Leonard Rysdyk, which was my first both for the story and for the...more
There are some amazing stories in this collection, and some real disappointments, so it's definitely only good in parts. Most of the stories are adult, darker (and more sexy?) versions of children's fairy-tales, although some are original in theme. A couple are actually pretty horrific!
I liked the way that a number of stories were told twice, by different authors and placed next to each other in the book - I was particularly taken with the Rapunzel tales - both completely different, but both rea...more
I liked the way that a number of stories were told twice, by different authors and placed next to each other in the book - I was particularly taken with the Rapunzel tales - both completely different, but both rea...more
This was a fantastic read for someone (like me!) who loves fantasy and the paranormal... but not this whole new "teen romance paranormal" cheesy sort of trend that is going on right now in the fantasy world of books today (i.e Twilight Series). Some of the stories were slightly graphic which actually added to the overall feeling of these stories. This is truly a great read for those out there who appreciate what Fairy Tales used to be before the media got a hold of them. Not all endings are happ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Aug 08, 2012
Jewelianne
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
short-stories,
fairy-tales
I read this anthology a few years ago, but it stays in my mind pretty well. I thought a few of the stories were really creative retellings. Leonard Rysdy’s “A Sound, Like Angels Singing” was especially unique and interesting, even though it was not one of my favorites. Patricia A. McKillip’s “Snow Queen” and Lisa Goldstein’s “Breadcrumbs and Stones” were great stories that also had interesting premises. For the most part I didn’t like the other works in this book very much. It isn’t that I mind...more
1 like · like · see review
Generally, I like retellings &/or 'inspired-by' stories. Some of the stories in this anthology are quite good. Unfortunately, more of the stories in this anthology were not good. Most were either over-wrought (they tried to tell an elegant story that ended up being just a jumble of plot elements) or victims of Datlow's idea of 'erotic' (hint: randomly mentioning penises &/or 'penetration' &/or graphic rape does not count as erotic) or just phoned in (Gaiman's tale, even, doesn't shin...more
One of the most inspiring books in my life as an author. This series captivated me. I've read, re-read, re-read, and re-read this book. As I've aged, I've found certain stories appeal to me more than others that had previously caught my attention in my younger years. I look forward to revisiting this book and the varied, fantastic stories that have kept me coming back time and time again.
If you are a fan of Fairy Tales for grown-ups, this is a must read.
If you are a fan of Fairy Tales for grown-ups, this is a must read.
This was an interesting composite of new takes on old fairy tales. They were all interesting--not a clunker among them--but there's one I just love, and that's Kathe Koja's "I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Woods." I borrowed this book from the library, but Koja's story is so good I think I might buy a copy for my permanent library.
There's a Neil Gaiman story in here, and yeah, it's good, as is everything he writes...but Koja's story is the star. So excellent, in fact, that I'm now going to go o...more
There's a Neil Gaiman story in here, and yeah, it's good, as is everything he writes...but Koja's story is the star. So excellent, in fact, that I'm now going to go o...more
BOTTOM LINE: edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, this fantastical short story anthology has some very good reworkings of classic fairy tale themes; one of a series they edited.
Jack Dann, “The Glass Casket”
Charles deLint, “The Moon Is Dreaming While I Sleep”
Esther M. Friesner, “Puss”
Gregory Frost, “Root of the Matter”
Neil Gaiman, “Troll Bridge”
Lisa Goldstein, “Breadcrumbs and Stones”
Harvey Jacobs, “Persimmon”
Kathe Koja, “I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood”
Nancy Kress, “Stalking Beans”
Tan...more
Jack Dann, “The Glass Casket”
Charles deLint, “The Moon Is Dreaming While I Sleep”
Esther M. Friesner, “Puss”
Gregory Frost, “Root of the Matter”
Neil Gaiman, “Troll Bridge”
Lisa Goldstein, “Breadcrumbs and Stones”
Harvey Jacobs, “Persimmon”
Kathe Koja, “I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood”
Nancy Kress, “Stalking Beans”
Tan...more
There seems to have been a rather large resurgence of fairy tales in media over the last couple of years. Stories are given make overs and new twists and spins for audiences of film and television. Yet, two decades ago, those same stories were being recollected and revamped by some of the biggest names in the fantasy genre's literary community. "Snow White, Blood Red" is one of those three collections.
A couple of the stories come from little known stories, or are of the authors own invention. A...more
A couple of the stories come from little known stories, or are of the authors own invention. A...more
Sigh...
Aside from a few surprising gems, like Neil Gaiman's thing about a troll, and something else that I forget... this book is disappointing. The trouble with "modern fairy tales" is people think that the only way to make a fairy tale "adult" or "dark" is by involving lots and lots of rape and molestation of little girls, and while I suppose that sort of thing works for a while, there's a point at which I have to say, "I'm sorry, your deep inner meaning was lost in the ICK." Get a damn imagi...more
Aside from a few surprising gems, like Neil Gaiman's thing about a troll, and something else that I forget... this book is disappointing. The trouble with "modern fairy tales" is people think that the only way to make a fairy tale "adult" or "dark" is by involving lots and lots of rape and molestation of little girls, and while I suppose that sort of thing works for a while, there's a point at which I have to say, "I'm sorry, your deep inner meaning was lost in the ICK." Get a damn imagi...more
As I was browsing through Barnes and Nobles, I came across suggested Halloween reads and picked this one up at a bargain price. And once again, sorely disappointed.
I'm a huge lover or fairy tales and fairy tales reinvented, but this was neither interesting nor scary. Just bizarre, and not in a good way. I'm a firm believer that short stories generally suck, and this was absolutely true here. It took forever to read, wasn't good in the least, and was remarkably close to a one star book. Gross.
I'm a huge lover or fairy tales and fairy tales reinvented, but this was neither interesting nor scary. Just bizarre, and not in a good way. I'm a firm believer that short stories generally suck, and this was absolutely true here. It took forever to read, wasn't good in the least, and was remarkably close to a one star book. Gross.
I loved a few of the stories but I also didn't like or couldn't get into some of them (like Puss, I just couldn't get into that one and a few others that I can't remember). For friends I'd recommend reading certain ones and letting them borrow it but as a whole I wouldn't waste your time. I'm glad this book was cheap or I'd be very disappointed.
While I enjoyed the stories they all started feeling the same. They are a retelling of fairy tales like Cinderella, Puss in Boots, Hansel and Gretel, etc. These take the brothers Grimm route. Very dark, very adult, very erotic. While it was interesting having such a spin put on them it felt like it was only one spin, sex. While that's not all bad they just started blending together after a while.
I've learned that a creative, novelist mind can turn out a cruel, twisted story which can fascinate a person into reading in spite of their inclination and perhaps horrific need to slam the book shut and never open it again! This book has been shut on my shelf for over 2 years. I might read more ....
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Ellen Datlow has been an award-winning editor of short science fiction, fantasy, and horror for over twentyfive years.
She is editor of the Best Horror of the Year and has edited or co-edited a large number of award-winning original anthologies. Her most recent are Supernatural Noir, Naked City, Blood and Other Cravings, The Beastly Bride, Teeth, Trolls Eye View, and After (the last three with Ter...more
More about Ellen Datlow...
She is editor of the Best Horror of the Year and has edited or co-edited a large number of award-winning original anthologies. Her most recent are Supernatural Noir, Naked City, Blood and Other Cravings, The Beastly Bride, Teeth, Trolls Eye View, and After (the last three with Ter...more
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Oct 30, 2008 01:28pm