Book Review: 8 – Michael Mullin
[image error] This is the previously untold story of the previously unknown 8th dwarf, named Creepy. He was banished to the basement for being different and , well, weird. Yet he played a vital – and of course previously unknown – role in the popular tale of Snow White (whose title character is an intruder Creepy refers to as “the Maid”).
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Review: 8
It’s hard to forget Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, whether it’s the original Disney film or the Gremlins singing along to it in the cinema back in the early eighties. Michael Mullin has revisited the classic story but put a different spin on things, telling some of the story from the POV of a character not previously mentioned.
Did you know there were actually eight dwarves and not seven? Well, you do now. This is the story of the eighth dwarf – Creepy. As his name suggests, Creepy is a little bit different to his compatriots, so much so that they shut him in the basement and do their best to forget about him. This brief story which is written in verse is all about Creepy and not just his banishment from the rest of the group but the part he plays in the story of Snow White.
This is a very quick read, one you’ll very easily get through in one sitting but Mullin’s story is one that is a lot of fun and at times you might argue just for the adults. Having been sent to the basement Creepy is alone when the other dwarves head out to work but someone comes into the dwarves’ home. Creepy is worried it is a burglar but looking through the floorboards he notices it is a Maiden. Now, Creepy lives up to his name here by, let’s just say, enjoying watching the Maiden as she explores the cottage and then begins cleaning up. It’s soon clear why Creepy isn’t welcome amongst the other dwarves.
While Snow White wins over the other dwarves, Creepy is left to watch the Maiden from afar and soon falls for her. He may seem a little sinister spying on Snow White but in the end Creepy does try to help her especially when our Maiden answers the door to an unseen visitor and ends up collapsing on more than one occasion, eventually ending up in a coma. Creepy is the first to try and help Snow White but does he succeed? Do the other dwarves see the good in him and let him out of the basement?
This is a good story though unfortunately too short. A collection of re-imagined fairy tales would have been terrific but what’s here is still worth your time. You may never be able to watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in the same way again though.
Verdict: 4/5
(Book source: reviewer received a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review)
Book Review: 8 – Michael Mullin | Thank you for reading Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave
