Heidi Anne Heiner's Blog, page 122

New Book: Nobody Asked the Pea by John Warren Stewig

Nobody Asked the Pea by John Warren Stewig (Author), Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator) was released in January although its official release is given as March 15th. I usually wait a little while on picture book releases, hoping for some book imagery to appear somewhere on the web, but this book remains opaque beyond its cover.

Both Stewig and Wright are well-established in their fields and I am especially fond of Stewig's Mother Holly, which is out of print, but gave me fond memories of reading it over and over and over again with my niece Leighton when she was four.

Book description:

Readers might think they know the story of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea," but some characters in the story wold take issue with them. In this retelling one gets to have a say, even the pea, the crucial member of the cast.

This clever version of a favorite fairy tale is perfect for learning all about character and point-of-view. It is in line with the Common Core State Standards for Language Arts.

It also has a strong review from Kirkus Reviews, which provides a better description:

An extraordinarily arch and campy version of “The Princess and the Pea” is told from multiple points of view.

It opens with a cast of characters, each with a distinctive voice and typeface in the narrative, starting with Patrick the Pea, growing “rounder and firmer each day” and extremely pleased with himself. Queen Mildred hectors her son Harold about getting married, pronto, and she is the perfect stereotype of a controlling, nagging and obnoxious mother. Harold, meanwhile, just wants to hang around and hunt. A few princesses are met and sent away, until Princess Lucy appears in the castle hall, soaking wet and disheveled, and cannot sleep a wink on the pile of mattresses with Patrick the Pea hidden under them. Harold is kind of delighted to find an outdoorsy girl who loves to hunt, Queen Mildred is pleased to outshine the other queens in wedding planning (especially Queen Estelle, “who couldn’t plan a trip to the privy by herself”). The watercolor-and-pencil pastel-hued illustrations reveal deeply caricatured and exaggerated figures (including the mice and the horses, as well as Patrick the Pea).

A Farewell to Porridge

Want a Sunday funny? This may work if you've enjoyed/suffered Hemingway often enough in your life.

Originally published by Dan Greenberg, as "Three Bears in Search of an Author," in Esquire, Feb. 1958, pp. 46-47. "A Farewell to Porridge" is Goldilocks and the Three Bears presented in pseudo-Ernest Hemingway's voice. And it is funny.

To get you started:

In the late autumn of that year we lived in a house in the forest that looked across the river to the mountains, but we always thought we lived on the plain because we couldn't see the forest for the trees.

Sometimes people would come to the door and ask if we would like to subscribe to the Saturday Evening Post or buy Fuller brushes, but when we would answer the bell, they would see we were only bears and go away.

Sometimes we would go for long walks along the river and you could almost forget for a little while that you were a bear and not people.

Once when we were out strolling for a very long time, we came home and you could see that someone had broken in and the door was open.

"La port est ouverte," said Mama Bear. "The door should not be open." Mama Bear had French blood on her father's side.

Read the rest of it here.

Why ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ Is A Major Step Back For Witches and Women by Elisabeth Rappe

I'm very grateful to Kate W. at Enchanted Conversation for linking to Why ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ Is A Major Step Back For Witches and Women by Elisabeth Rappe last week. Just another example of why I prefer many TV shows over major Hollywood productions these days--overall, women have a stronger part in them! Give me Bones or Veronica Mars any day.

(And YAY! on the Veronica Mars movie. John the Hubby sat and watched it hit the 2 million mark live. Crowdfunding controversies are for discussing elsewhere--and overall I'm for crowdfunding if you must know--I thrilled since I want to see that movie very much! And if you have never seen Veronica, it's wonderful. Even Joss Whedon was/is a fan. And the DVDs are super cheap on Amazon right now thanks to the hype this week. Just be warned that you'll lose sleep for wanting to watch the next episode. And then you'll want a dog just so you can name it Backup.)

It's no secret that I'm not a huge Oz fan, primarily thanks to seeing the movies at the wrong ages, I think. Return to Oz was almost traumatic to me and accepted as being more faithful which kept me from picking up the books long ago. I also didn't learn about the extensive series until I was older, so I missed most of those books anyway.


But I have long admired Frank L. Baum and his oeuvre and accomplishments. And then there's the whole it's not really a "fairy tale" gambit that I deal with almost daily and need to prepare for even more as NINE Oz inspired films are currently in the works.

And, yes, I did enjoy Wicked: The Musical--probably because I expected to hate it--and hope for the movie version of that one. So I allow myself to be completely unpredictable when it comes to Oz.

From the article, to entice you to read it all:

Why is this sad and troubling? Well, as you go through the Oz series, one fact can’t help but jump out at you: The feisty, heroic characters of Oz are all young women. Dorothy returns, again and again, to have adventures in Oz. “Tik-Tok of Oz” features a Dorothy surrogate in Betsy Bobbin (no Toto for Betsy! Her animal companion is a mule named Hank.) Glinda often reappears to do battle. General Jinjur leads an all-female coup against the Scarecrow, and despite its failure, Baum lovingly stops in to see how she’s faring in the common Munchkin life.

But most intriguing and revolutionary of them all is Princess Ozma, who actually makes her first appearance in “The Marvelous Land of Oz” as a young boy named Tip. Tip is the “hero” of the book until it’s revealed an evil witch named Mombi did a magical gender reassignment, and Tip becomes Ozma, restored not only to her rightful throne, but to her own feminine self. It’s a strange and fascinating twist for both Tip and the audience alike, and one with very modern implications.

There are male characters in Oz, of course, but they’re rarely also lead characters. Occasionally one breaks out as a hero, like Ojo the Munchkin boy in “The Patchwork Girl of Oz” or Cap’n Bill and Trot, but they’re one-offs, never to return. The recurring male characters are always faithful and familiar sidekicks like the Wizard, Tin-Man, Tik-Tok, and Jack Pumpkinhead. Alternately, they’re enemies, like the Nome King.

The reason for this is simple: Baum was a feminist. He was an avid supporter of women’s suffrage, and was happily married to the outspoken, intelligent, and energetic Maud Gage Baum, who had gone to Cornell, and sacrificed dreams of degrees to marry him. Their marriage was an unusual one for the time, as Frank happily let her wear the pants, assert her authority, and rule the house.

Bargain Price: Once Upon a Time: The Complete First Season

Once Upon a Time: The Complete First Season just dropped to $21.86, 52% off list price, on Amazon. This could go up in a few minutes, hours or days, but this is the lowest I've seen it go in a while if you still "need" this.

Bargain Ebook: The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors is temporarily priced at $2.99, down from its last reported price of $8.53. The reviews, both professional and reader, are strong and I've snapped it up today myself. A few compare it to Rumpelstiltskin.

Book description:

Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter, has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second, on the day her entire village was swept away by flood. Left with nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn milk into chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund finds herself desired by all. But Emmeline only wants one-Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances once tempted her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the cost to Emmeline. Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

New Book: Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

New this week: Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson is one I've been anticipating for a while, years actually, since Heather Tomlinson emailed me the announcement that it had been bought.

It's Bluebeard. It's Gothic Antebellum South. Fascinating! I haven't read it yet--don't own it yet!--but I am intrigued. I can imagine a university course in which this one and Eudora Welty's Robber Bridegroom are studied. And I have so many favorite Bluebeards, I could fill a semester with Bluebeard: A Reader's Guide to the English Tradition, Secrets beyond the Door: The Story of Bluebeard and His Wives and yes, Bluebeard Tales From Around the World (Surlalune Fairy Tale Series) as the texts. Then there would be Bloody Chamber, Vonnegut, and Maeterlinck because that play fascinates me as a Bluebeard inspired piece. Oh, yes, I could easily spend a semester on this fascinating tale cycle.

But back to the latest Bluebeard offering for us.

Book description:

The Bluebeard fairy tale retold. . . .

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.

Recent Release: Delphine by Richard Sala

Delphine by Richard Sala was released in January. I learned about it a month later and am just now finally sharing it. Where is 2013 speeding off to?

Anyway, the graphic novel started off as a serial but is now collected into one convenient tome. That's always nice, isn't it? And this one is especially nice if you like some horror with your fairy tales.

Book description:

Richard Sala’s graphic novel retelling of Snow White recasts the fairy tale as a chiller from the Prince’s perspective.

A mysterious traveler gets off the train in a small village surrounded by a thick, sinister forest. He is searching for Delphine, who vanished with only a scrawled-out address on a scrap of paper as a trace. In his newest chiller, Richard Sala takes the tale of Snow White and stands it on its head, retelling it from Prince Charming’s perspective (the unnamed traveler) in a contemporary setting. This twisted tale includes all the elements of terror from the original fairy tale, with none of the insipid saccharine coating of the Disney animated adaptation. Yes, there will be blood. Originally serialized as part of the acclaimed international “Ignatz” series, Delphine is executed in a rich and ominous duotone that shows off Sala’s virtuosity just as much as last year’s full-color post-apocalyptic horror fantasy The Hidden did — punctuated with stunning full-color chapter breaks.

From RICHARD SALA EXPLORES THE WORLD OF DARK FAIRY TALES IN "DELPHINE":

Richard Sala: Well, like a lot of people on the planet, I've experienced the emotional highs and lows of being in love. You know -- the fascination, the desire, the heartache. You can't sleep or eat, you're filled with constant yearning -- it can feel like a sickness or mania. And of course you question whether or not the other person feels the same way. Are they in love with you or are they just tolerating you? Are you the person of their dreams or actually a deluded pest? Those mixed-up feelings -- especially when you're young -- are horrible. So, I figured, why not write a romance as a horror story? That was the impetus to set the story in motion.

It contains has many elements of classic fairy tales, especially Snow White.

Yes. It's told from the point of view of what would be -- in a fairy tale -- the Prince Charming character -- the guy who is on his way to be reunited with the heroine. As he attempts to get to her, there are all kinds of obstacles. And if he's clever -- people in fairy tales always have to be clever -- he'll overcome them, and if he's not, then he won't.

It's odd, but when you first started on this book, there weren't multiple Snow White movies or fairy tale TV shows.

Yeah, "Delphine" was originally serialized in four issues published jointly by Fantagraphics Books and Coconino Press -- in Europe -- beginning in 2006. Since then, there have been two Snow White-inspired movies which have already come and gone. I mean, there's certainly nothing new about doing a modern take on a fairy tale, but it is true that when the earliest issues of "Delphine" came out, a movie producer -- who was working on "Shutter Island" at the time -- was interested and we had many talks. He sent the first two issues to a couple of different screenwriters to get their take on it. So it was circulating. But, I think when it eventually dawned on him that -- due to the publishers' schedule -- this wasn't a monthly series, but a yearly one, he decided to move on. After all, Snow White is public domain anyway, and that's what he liked about it -- a "modern re-imagining" of Snow White. Now, I have no idea if it's connected at all (in fact, I'm probably flattering myself to even consider it), but before I could finish the last issue, suddenly there were two Snow White movies in development. Anyway, now my book version is coming out, just when that whole angle maybe seems tired and played out. Luckily, "Delphine" is still vastly different from those other projects, even with the fairy tale elements. I guess that's a testament to the versatility of those old stories.

New Book: Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett

Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett was released a few weeks ago. This was published by small press Cedar Fort--they also publish some of romance writer Carla Kelley's books. In other words, for those who care, there is professional editing and proofreading with this new title.

Book description:

Told that she must be indoors at all times, Rapunzel feels trapped in the huge mansion where she lives. But when school demands to allow her access to the Internet, she discovers Facebook and becomes friends with Fane, a local teenager who changes her whole world. This story will have you entangled from beginning to end.

Bennett previously self-published four other fairy tale inspired novels.


Beautiful Beast (Enchanted Fairytales)

Calli is cursed by her beauty.

Though she knows it's cruel, Calli agrees to accompany her friends to Monster House where it is rumored the beast howls at the moon each sunset. When she hears him for the first time, her heart is wrenched by the anguish she hears in the sound.

Facing trespassing charges for her folly, Calli is forced to move into Monster House where she is to befriend the beast. Using the bribery offered by his father to gain some desperately needed money for her father, Calli accepts his terms. Horrified but trapped by her circumstance, Calli steps inside the doors of the great house to face the unknown.

Alex is cursed by his beastliness.

Alex believes Calli has bribed her way into his home in order to get a look at the beast of Monster House, and is determined to hate her. He isn't prepared as she batters down the hard walls of his soul with her kindness and humor.

Alex allows Calli into his inner sanctum, sharing with her the most private parts of his heart. But when he finds out the truth, will her love be enough to convince him of her true feelings, or will she lose him forever?

Red and the Wolf (Enchanted Fairytales)

A sudden increase in the violence and frequency of wolf attacks in the forest surrounding Piera has all of the residents on edge.

Ruby:

Three years ago, Rafe left their tiny mountain burg of Piera, leaving Ruby Hood behind to mend her shattered heart. Dealing with the fear created by the powerful and intelligent wolf would be enough for anyone, but now Ruby has to contend with more heartwrenching news . . . Rafe has come home.

Lowell:

Rafe's brother, Lowell, has befriended Ruby in his absence. He's almost as gorgeous as Rafe, and nearly as charming, but the problem is . . . he's not Rafe.

Rafe:

Rafe had no choice but to leave three years earlier, in spite of sharing an earth shattering kiss with his lifelong best friend Ruby. Now, he's back . . . and he's willing to fight for what he wants.

Snow White (Enchanted Fairytales)

The death of Snow White's father has left her at the mercy of her stepmother Katarina. Katarina cares for one thing, and one thing only: herself.

Vain and arrogant, she sends Snow into the forest to be killed. Snow manages to escape and hide herself from the murderous Hugo. After wandering for days, lost and hungry, she stumbles upon Fableton, an enchanted village created by Katarina to entrap Prince Philip after he spurned her.

Philip has been unable to leave Fableton for half a millenium. Snow White just might be the one spoken of by a fairy who promised the day would come when a girl, pure of heart, would be able to break the curse and free the inhabitants of Fableton.

But is Philip willing to risk Snow's life to gain his freedom? Snow does the thing no one has ever been able to do before - leave the enchanted village. Her only hope of winning freedom for not only the residents of Fableton, but for herself as well, is to defeat the evil and powerful Katarina.

The Unmasking of Cinderella (Enchanted Fairytales)

Amella Augustus has lived as her stepmother Iona's personal servant since her father's death. School is something she can only dream of. She's homeschooled in order for her to have more time to do Iona's bidding.

At the dingy Laundromat that Amella frequents she meets the mysterious, enigmatic Dayla. What the supermodel-looking woman is doing in such a place Amella can't imagine. A day later she runs into Char - literally. Amella is stunned by the charming, gorgeous guy who feels badly for making her drop her just laundered clothes.

Amella and Char strike up a friendship, spending time together at both the Laundromat and the library, the only places Amella can escape Iona. When he asks her if she'll be attending Jake Charmaine's birthday masque, she knows it's impossible.

Until Dayla steps in. She provides Amella with the dress, hair, and mask needed to attend the ball. The magical night ends with Amella humiliating herself in front of Char. She runs away, determined to hide herself from him.

Just when Amella begins to believe she's found her happily ever after, Iona pounces in and takes Amella away from Char, Dayla, and dreams of happiness. Now Amella must take charge of her own destiny, and make a decision that can either give her the peace she’s longed for . . . or return her to the misery she’s lived in for so long.

UK Release: Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth

Almost a year ago, I shared a post about Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth as well as a guest post by Kate.

And then I explained that the book was only available in Australia and New Zealand. Wasn't that so kind of me?

Good news and bad news: The book is now available in the UK such as at Amazon.co.uk. Bad news is that it still isn't available in the US yet. But I have a much easier time ordering books from the UK than Australia myself (and splurge on some Region 2 DVDs a few times a year, too, which is how I saw Downton Abbey a few months earlier than most of us stateside).

Book description:

Charlotte-Rose de la Force, exiled from the court of King Louis XIV, has always been a great talker and teller of tales. Selena Leonelli, once the exquisite muse of the great Venetian artist Tiziano, is terrified of time. Margherita, trapped in a doorless tower and burdened by tangles of her red-gold hair, must find a way to escape. You may think you know the story of Rapunzel ...

Katherine Langrish also shared a post recently about Bitter Greens at Seven Miles of Steel Thistles. Don't miss it!

Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente

Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente was released February 28th. And the beautiful cover which sells the book so well is by Charles Vess. I don't have it yet so I can only say the hype is great for it.

I haven't read it yet, but it is joining a very small subgenre of fairy tale retellings--westerns! Wouldn't Puss in Boots be a perfect tale for a western? I guess the film sort of did that, very loosely, but it played even more loosely with the tale, so we won't count it. Rapunzel's Revenge we will add with its steampunky western goodness, yes? Can anyone name more?

And back to the book with a description:

From New York Times bestselling author Catherynne M. Valente comes a brilliant reinvention of one the best known fairy tales of all time. In the novella Six-Gun Snow White, Valente transports the title s heroine to a masterfully evoked Old West where Coyote is just as likely to be found as the seven dwarves.

A plain-spoken, appealing narrator relates the history of her parents--a Nevada silver baron who forced the Crow people to give up one of their most beautiful daughters, Gun That Sings, in marriage to him. With her mother s death in childbirth, so begins a heroine s tale equal parts heartbreak and strength. This girl has been born into a world with no place for a half-native, half-white child. After being hidden for years, a very wicked stepmother finally gifts her with the name Snow White, referring to the pale skin she will never have. Filled with fascinating glimpses through the fabled looking glass and a close-up look at hard living in the gritty gun-slinging West, readers will be enchanted by this story at once familiar and entirely new.

You can read an excerpt of the book on the Tor site.

There is also a great post about the book at Something to Read for the Train.