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Fairy Tales anthology series
Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears
""Once upon a time ..." So begin the classic fairy tales that enthralled and terrified us as children. Now, in their third critically acclaimed collection of original fairy tales for adults, World Fantasy Award-winning editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling bring us twenty-one new stories by some of the top names in literature today. Joyce Carol Oates, Gahan Wilson, Gene Wolfe, Tanith Lee, Neil Gaiman -- these are but a few of the accomplished literary sorcerers who have gathered here to remold our timeless myths into more sensuous and disturbing forms. Like the fabled ruby slippers, there is powerful magic here. Rich witches in trendy resorts cast evil spells ... beautiful princesses age and wither in sleeping worlds ... terrible beasts reside beneath flawless skin.
Dark, disturbing, delightful, each story was written expressly for this superb collection of distinctly grown-up fantasy -- a brilliant companion volume to Datlow and Windling's acclaimed anthologies, "Snow White, Blood Red and "Black Thorn, White Rose.
The "Snow White, Blood Red" Collection
#1. Snow White, Blood Red
#2. Black Thorn, White Rose
#3. Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears
#4. Black Swan, White Raven
#5. Silver Birch, Blood Moon
#6. Black Heart, Ivory Bones
Dark, disturbing, delightful, each story was written expressly for this superb collection of distinctly grown-up fantasy -- a brilliant companion volume to Datlow and Windling's acclaimed anthologies, "Snow White, Blood Red and "Black Thorn, White Rose.
The "Snow White, Blood Red" Collection
#1. Snow White, Blood Red
#2. Black Thorn, White Rose
#3. Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears
#4. Black Swan, White Raven
#5. Silver Birch, Blood Moon
#6. Black Heart, Ivory Bones
420 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1995
320 people are currently reading
3569 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Datlow
274 books1,875 followersEllen Datlow has been editing science fiction, fantasy, and horror short fiction for forty years as fiction editor of OMNI Magazine and editor of Event Horizon and SCIFICTION. She currently acquires short stories and novellas for Tor.com. In addition, she has edited about one hundred science fiction, fantasy, and horror anthologies, including the annual The Best Horror of the Year series, The Doll Collection, Mad Hatters and March Hares, The Devil and the Deep: Horror Stories of the Sea, Echoes: The Saga Anthology of Ghost Stories, Edited By, and Final Cuts: New Tales of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles.
She's won multiple World Fantasy Awards, Locus Awards, Hugo Awards, Bram Stoker Awards, International Horror Guild Awards, Shirley Jackson Awards, and the 2012 Il Posto Nero Black Spot Award for Excellence as Best Foreign Editor. Datlow was named recipient of the 2007 Karl Edward Wagner Award, given at the British Fantasy Convention for "outstanding contribution to the genre," was honored with the Life Achievement Award by the Horror Writers Association, in acknowledgment of superior achievement over an entire career, and honored with the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award at the 2014 World Fantasy Convention.
She's won multiple World Fantasy Awards, Locus Awards, Hugo Awards, Bram Stoker Awards, International Horror Guild Awards, Shirley Jackson Awards, and the 2012 Il Posto Nero Black Spot Award for Excellence as Best Foreign Editor. Datlow was named recipient of the 2007 Karl Edward Wagner Award, given at the British Fantasy Convention for "outstanding contribution to the genre," was honored with the Life Achievement Award by the Horror Writers Association, in acknowledgment of superior achievement over an entire career, and honored with the World Fantasy Life Achievement Award at the 2014 World Fantasy Convention.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
May 28, 2017
A passable installment in the series as a whole, but a somewhat disappointing one when each story is taken individually, at least for my taste.
In this collection I've found the 3rd attempt by Tanith Lee to reimagine the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale (in her short story The Beast), and I have become convinced the plot just doesn't suit her style, because the archetypal story doesn't lend itself well to a Horror retelling; it just isn't the type. But Lee insisted, and the result was unsatisfactory as well as untrue to the original, because what she came up with is more along the lines of a retelling of "Bluebeard" than "Beauty and the Beast." Another possibility is that Lee didn't get the point of the metaphors in the tale, or went deliberately for subverting them regardless of outcome; whatever the case, I was sorely disappointed and found her story unrecognisable as what it wanted to be, although it did have merit as a separate, non-B&B story due to the author's narrative skill.
In this collection I've found the 3rd attempt by Tanith Lee to reimagine the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale (in her short story The Beast), and I have become convinced the plot just doesn't suit her style, because the archetypal story doesn't lend itself well to a Horror retelling; it just isn't the type. But Lee insisted, and the result was unsatisfactory as well as untrue to the original, because what she came up with is more along the lines of a retelling of "Bluebeard" than "Beauty and the Beast." Another possibility is that Lee didn't get the point of the metaphors in the tale, or went deliberately for subverting them regardless of outcome; whatever the case, I was sorely disappointed and found her story unrecognisable as what it wanted to be, although it did have merit as a separate, non-B&B story due to the author's narrative skill.
July 18, 2009
This is a 3.5 from me. It could have been a 4, except for a couple of truly bad choices of stories from editors who are usually very good. The first story, "Ruby Slippers" was just terrible, and it made me very suspicious of the rest of the book. Why would you lead with your weakest story?
And "Billy Fearless" had an unfortunate author gaffe the either editor or author really should have caught and fixed before publication. The whole point is that the boy doesn't know what fear is, and yet early in the story is this quote: "Unfortunately, Billy didn't know what a shudder was . . .. He was afraid to ask his father for fear of the old man's temper..." That's just sloppy.
But there were some really excellent stories in this volume as well. Here are my standouts:
"The Beast" - Tanith Lee
"Summer Wind" - Nancy Kress
"Brother Bear" - Lisa Goldstein
"Real Princess" - Susan Palwick
"The Fox Wife" - Ellen Steiber
"The Printer's Daughter" - Delia Sherman
Which I think just proves to me that I must go read one of Nancy Kress' novels, as I keep loving her short stories in various collections.
And "Billy Fearless" had an unfortunate author gaffe the either editor or author really should have caught and fixed before publication. The whole point is that the boy doesn't know what fear is, and yet early in the story is this quote: "Unfortunately, Billy didn't know what a shudder was . . .. He was afraid to ask his father for fear of the old man's temper..." That's just sloppy.
But there were some really excellent stories in this volume as well. Here are my standouts:
"The Beast" - Tanith Lee
"Summer Wind" - Nancy Kress
"Brother Bear" - Lisa Goldstein
"Real Princess" - Susan Palwick
"The Fox Wife" - Ellen Steiber
"The Printer's Daughter" - Delia Sherman
Which I think just proves to me that I must go read one of Nancy Kress' novels, as I keep loving her short stories in various collections.
July 20, 2015
So, let's maybe start by talking about the organizing theme? And then a couple of stories I particularly liked, and a few things I noticed. Retellings of fairy tales is an obvious win - so much so that this is the third anthology of stories with that theme by these editors. It's easier to put your finger on than Ellen Datlow's Supernatural Noir collection I read last year, in which there were many spooky stories, but few that actually seemed noir.
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Note: The rest of this review has been withdrawn due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
May 22, 2013
Ruby Slippers, Susan Wade
Dorthy Gale's story of the Wizard of Oz, as told through the veneer of show business. This is a cute, fun interpretation of the movie, but nothing particularly thoughtful.
The Beast, Tanith Lee
Beauty and the Beast, but a truly, truly disturbing take on the tale. Beauty is often only skin-deep, especially when a beast dwells within.
Masterpiece, Gary Kilworth
A cross between Rumplestiltskin and Faust (although it's fair to argue that Rumplestiltskin was always just a retelling of Faust). One of my favorites in the collection, it's well told and the ending is painful.
Summer Wind, Nancy Kress
Sleeping Beauty re-imagined. I've been tempted to adapt this story into a play for a long time; the fairy tale is rendered bittersweet and haunting.
The Century of Sleep or Briar Rose Beneath the Sea, Farida Shapiro
Oh, poetry. I'm so terrible at poetry. It drifts through my head and doesn't stick at all, except to slightly annoy me. This poem slightly annoyed me, but they all do, so I don't think it's actually the poem.
The Crossing, Joyce Carol Oates
Another Sleeping Beauty retell. This one is particularly devastating, in that way that only Joyce Carol Oates can be.
Roach in Loafers, Roberta Lannes
A retelling of Puss in Boots, with a streetwise cockroach playing the part of the cat. I've seen this exact scenario before in Joe's Apartment, but it's still fun here.
Naked Little Men, Michael Cadnum
Elves and the Shoemaker retell. Adorable, but insubstantial. That, frankly, describes quite a few stories in this collection. They're nice. They're cute. They're funny. But they don't do very much with the fairy tale format, they're not trying too hard.
Brother Bear, Lisa Goldstein
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but with cavemen and bestiality and cannibalism. Hmmm.
The Emperor Who had Never Seen a Dragon, John Brunner
The Emperor's New Clothes in Imperial China. The emperor her definitely deserved his comeuppance; instead of merely being vain and silly, he was actively murderous.
Billy Fearless, Nancy Collins
Cute. Vaguely Southern. It reminds me of a story that would have been found in a Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark book.
The Death of Koshchei the Deathless, Gene Wolfe
A Russian folk story retold. I just couldn't get into this story; I didn't understand the cultural references at all and didn't want to Wikipedia every other sentence.
The Real Princess, Susan Palwick
A reselling of Princess and the Pea, although there's some Beauty and the Beast in here as well. Dark and dangerous and good.
The Huntsman's Story, Milbre Burch
Snow White, but also the Polly Klaas kidnapping. The more I think about this story, the less I like it. It seems trite and exploitive, especially since she's talking about such a terrible situation.
After Push Comes to Shove, Milbre Burch
Poetry. Ugh.
Hansel and Grettel, Gahan Wilson
Handel and Grettel, obviously, but not a retelling. Instead, a continuation of their story. Fun. Cute.
Match Girl, Anne Bishop
The only writing by Anne Bishop that I've really liked, and maybe my favorite story in this collection. But brutal. Rape trigger warning.
Waking the Prince, Kathe Kaja
Sleeping Beauty reinterpreted. Also, a guy I dated in college, to a tee.
The Fox Wife, Ellen Steiber
The worst story in the collection and the only one I didn't finish. So boring. So, so boring.
The White Road, Neil Gaiman
It's Neil Gaiman, so it's good, but it's poetry, so I feel detached from the story. As if I missed something.
The Traveler and the Tale, Jane Yolen
I want more of this story. The glimpse if the world and mythology that Yolen created was too tantalizing.
The Printer's Daughter, Delia Sherman
So sweet, so funny. The ending could have been Hollywood Happy and I would have been fine with that.
Dorthy Gale's story of the Wizard of Oz, as told through the veneer of show business. This is a cute, fun interpretation of the movie, but nothing particularly thoughtful.
The Beast, Tanith Lee
Beauty and the Beast, but a truly, truly disturbing take on the tale. Beauty is often only skin-deep, especially when a beast dwells within.
Masterpiece, Gary Kilworth
A cross between Rumplestiltskin and Faust (although it's fair to argue that Rumplestiltskin was always just a retelling of Faust). One of my favorites in the collection, it's well told and the ending is painful.
Summer Wind, Nancy Kress
Sleeping Beauty re-imagined. I've been tempted to adapt this story into a play for a long time; the fairy tale is rendered bittersweet and haunting.
The Century of Sleep or Briar Rose Beneath the Sea, Farida Shapiro
Oh, poetry. I'm so terrible at poetry. It drifts through my head and doesn't stick at all, except to slightly annoy me. This poem slightly annoyed me, but they all do, so I don't think it's actually the poem.
The Crossing, Joyce Carol Oates
Another Sleeping Beauty retell. This one is particularly devastating, in that way that only Joyce Carol Oates can be.
Roach in Loafers, Roberta Lannes
A retelling of Puss in Boots, with a streetwise cockroach playing the part of the cat. I've seen this exact scenario before in Joe's Apartment, but it's still fun here.
Naked Little Men, Michael Cadnum
Elves and the Shoemaker retell. Adorable, but insubstantial. That, frankly, describes quite a few stories in this collection. They're nice. They're cute. They're funny. But they don't do very much with the fairy tale format, they're not trying too hard.
Brother Bear, Lisa Goldstein
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but with cavemen and bestiality and cannibalism. Hmmm.
The Emperor Who had Never Seen a Dragon, John Brunner
The Emperor's New Clothes in Imperial China. The emperor her definitely deserved his comeuppance; instead of merely being vain and silly, he was actively murderous.
Billy Fearless, Nancy Collins
Cute. Vaguely Southern. It reminds me of a story that would have been found in a Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark book.
The Death of Koshchei the Deathless, Gene Wolfe
A Russian folk story retold. I just couldn't get into this story; I didn't understand the cultural references at all and didn't want to Wikipedia every other sentence.
The Real Princess, Susan Palwick
A reselling of Princess and the Pea, although there's some Beauty and the Beast in here as well. Dark and dangerous and good.
The Huntsman's Story, Milbre Burch
Snow White, but also the Polly Klaas kidnapping. The more I think about this story, the less I like it. It seems trite and exploitive, especially since she's talking about such a terrible situation.
After Push Comes to Shove, Milbre Burch
Poetry. Ugh.
Hansel and Grettel, Gahan Wilson
Handel and Grettel, obviously, but not a retelling. Instead, a continuation of their story. Fun. Cute.
Match Girl, Anne Bishop
The only writing by Anne Bishop that I've really liked, and maybe my favorite story in this collection. But brutal. Rape trigger warning.
Waking the Prince, Kathe Kaja
Sleeping Beauty reinterpreted. Also, a guy I dated in college, to a tee.
The Fox Wife, Ellen Steiber
The worst story in the collection and the only one I didn't finish. So boring. So, so boring.
The White Road, Neil Gaiman
It's Neil Gaiman, so it's good, but it's poetry, so I feel detached from the story. As if I missed something.
The Traveler and the Tale, Jane Yolen
I want more of this story. The glimpse if the world and mythology that Yolen created was too tantalizing.
The Printer's Daughter, Delia Sherman
So sweet, so funny. The ending could have been Hollywood Happy and I would have been fine with that.
December 6, 2019
A wonderful anthology for fairy tale lovers. Although most of these short stories are based on well known fairy tales, each one has its own originality, holding captive the reader's imagination.
The "Recommended Reading" at the end of the book is a fantastic bonus for those who wish to delve deeper into this specific genre.
The "Recommended Reading" at the end of the book is a fantastic bonus for those who wish to delve deeper into this specific genre.
September 2, 2013
I love this series, the new take on my favorite fairy tales. Sadly these books are extremely hard to find which is a shame, because they are wonderful.
July 7, 2025
Whilst not a huge fan of novels that are retelling of fairy tales, I find it don't mind short versions, much like original tales themselves. I enjoyed around 75% of stories in this anthology
September 2, 2024
Some of these stories are terrifying, all of them are brilliant.
June 22, 2023
"Stories are not just recordings. They are prophecies. They are dreams. And – so it seems – we humans build the future on such dreams."
Ruby Slippers: Based on The Wizard of Oz and The Red Shoes - Not my favorite one in the anthology
The Beast: Based on Beauty and the Beast - Vessavion reminds me so much of Lestat for some reason, I love it.
Masterpiece: Based on Rumpelstiltskin - What an strange version of Rumpelstiltskin as a fallen angel, very Supernatural.
Summer Wind: Based on Sleeping Beauty / Briar Rose - I'm not sure I understand what's happening here. Does the tale keep repeating itself until someone actually breaks the spells? Are those women all past versions of a Sleeping Beauty? I don't know.
The Century of Sleep or, Briar Rose Beneath the Sea: Based on Sleeping Beauty - Short poem.
The Crossing: Based on Sleeping Beauty - I adore this modern version of the sleeping being a coma, it reminds me of an idea I had for a story years ago. But I love seeing both POVs and the train station being the crossing point.
Roach in Loafers: Based on The Shoemaker and the Elves - Weird.
Naked Little Men: Based on The Shoemaker and the Elves - These version of shoemakers were very petty and strange.
Brother Bear: Based on Goldilocks and Native American animal bridegroom stories - Literal bestiality so that's weird AF.
The Emperor Who Had Never Seen a Dragon: Based on Chinese tales concerning the overthrow of unjust rulers - Reminds me of The Emperor's New Clothes.
Billy Fearless: Based on A Tale About a Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was - This story seems familiar and I'm not sure why, I might just be remembering the original tale.
The Death of Koshchei the Deathless (a tale of old Russia): Based on Koshchei the Deathless - I honestly feel like I didn't understand this one at all because I have no knowledge of the original tale. So this one didn't really do much for me.
The Real Princess: Based on The Princess and the Pea - This confused me a lot, but it was still an interesting read.
The Huntsman's Story: Based on Snow White and the discovery of Polly Klass's body two months after the twelve-year-old's kidnapping - So morbid and sad and real-world-scary
After Push Comes to Shove: Based on the 1993 Los Angeles fires and Hansel and Gretel - Creepy and weird.
Hansel and Grettel: Based on Hansel and Gretel - This is like Hansel and Gretel meets the King Midas myth or something.
Match Girl: Based on Little Match Girl - Anne Bishop, queen! This was one of my favorites! I want more of this world, this story, these characters! Loved it!
Waking the Prince: Based on Sleeping Beauty - I'm a confused? Are the actor and the prince the same person? Is the prince just dreaming the actor?
The Fox Wife: Based on the medical records of a Japanese doctor who treated a number of kitsune possessions in the Shimane Prefecture in the year 1892 - My FAVORITE story herein. So interesting and well thought out. The myth and lore is so amazing. It's like Rurouni Kenshin meets Inuyasha. Like Across the Nightingale Floor meets Shadow of the Fox. It's amazing.
The White Road: Based on Mr. Fox - I love Neil Gaiman, but this was kind of boring for me.
The Traveler and the Tale: Based on traditional changeling stories - Very interesting. I would love to read more of these stories that change the future of the world.
The Printer's Daughter: Based on The Snow Child - I skimmed this one TBH. I really hate that old English/Quaker style of speech, it really irks me for some reason and always makes it so I can't get investing in the story.
Ruby Slippers: Based on The Wizard of Oz and The Red Shoes - Not my favorite one in the anthology
The Beast: Based on Beauty and the Beast - Vessavion reminds me so much of Lestat for some reason, I love it.
Masterpiece: Based on Rumpelstiltskin - What an strange version of Rumpelstiltskin as a fallen angel, very Supernatural.
Summer Wind: Based on Sleeping Beauty / Briar Rose - I'm not sure I understand what's happening here. Does the tale keep repeating itself until someone actually breaks the spells? Are those women all past versions of a Sleeping Beauty? I don't know.
The Century of Sleep or, Briar Rose Beneath the Sea: Based on Sleeping Beauty - Short poem.
The Crossing: Based on Sleeping Beauty - I adore this modern version of the sleeping being a coma, it reminds me of an idea I had for a story years ago. But I love seeing both POVs and the train station being the crossing point.
Roach in Loafers: Based on The Shoemaker and the Elves - Weird.
Naked Little Men: Based on The Shoemaker and the Elves - These version of shoemakers were very petty and strange.
Brother Bear: Based on Goldilocks and Native American animal bridegroom stories - Literal bestiality so that's weird AF.
The Emperor Who Had Never Seen a Dragon: Based on Chinese tales concerning the overthrow of unjust rulers - Reminds me of The Emperor's New Clothes.
Billy Fearless: Based on A Tale About a Boy Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was - This story seems familiar and I'm not sure why, I might just be remembering the original tale.
The Death of Koshchei the Deathless (a tale of old Russia): Based on Koshchei the Deathless - I honestly feel like I didn't understand this one at all because I have no knowledge of the original tale. So this one didn't really do much for me.
The Real Princess: Based on The Princess and the Pea - This confused me a lot, but it was still an interesting read.
The Huntsman's Story: Based on Snow White and the discovery of Polly Klass's body two months after the twelve-year-old's kidnapping - So morbid and sad and real-world-scary
After Push Comes to Shove: Based on the 1993 Los Angeles fires and Hansel and Gretel - Creepy and weird.
Hansel and Grettel: Based on Hansel and Gretel - This is like Hansel and Gretel meets the King Midas myth or something.
Match Girl: Based on Little Match Girl - Anne Bishop, queen! This was one of my favorites! I want more of this world, this story, these characters! Loved it!
Waking the Prince: Based on Sleeping Beauty - I'm a confused? Are the actor and the prince the same person? Is the prince just dreaming the actor?
The Fox Wife: Based on the medical records of a Japanese doctor who treated a number of kitsune possessions in the Shimane Prefecture in the year 1892 - My FAVORITE story herein. So interesting and well thought out. The myth and lore is so amazing. It's like Rurouni Kenshin meets Inuyasha. Like Across the Nightingale Floor meets Shadow of the Fox. It's amazing.
The White Road: Based on Mr. Fox - I love Neil Gaiman, but this was kind of boring for me.
The Traveler and the Tale: Based on traditional changeling stories - Very interesting. I would love to read more of these stories that change the future of the world.
The Printer's Daughter: Based on The Snow Child - I skimmed this one TBH. I really hate that old English/Quaker style of speech, it really irks me for some reason and always makes it so I can't get investing in the story.
August 10, 2011
This volume 2 collection was much more graphic than the last edition. It did not pique my interest as much either. I found the characters less sympathetic. Short story collections aren’t as appealing to me as novels; the author does not have the time nor the reader the detail to fully appreciate the storyline.
May 5, 2021
It was an interesting mix, but none of the stories really stood out to me.
The end had an "About the editors" section with photos and interesting biographies about Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, so that was a fun bonus to read.
The end had an "About the editors" section with photos and interesting biographies about Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, so that was a fun bonus to read.
January 31, 2013
I enjoyed about half of the stories, and had various frustrations with the other half.
May 6, 2012
Favorites: Match Girl and The Fox Wife
April 23, 2019
The third collection of twisted and turned fairy tales attained by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling arrives with new looks at the classic stories. The Wizard of Oz gets a celebrity-style Hollywood makeover as Dorothy is interviewed about her success in “Ruby Slippers.” A wealthy man obsessed with possessing beauty tears apart his marriage by revealing himself as “The Beast.” Trading her future for success, the protagonist of “Masterpiece” must ultimately choose to give up her art career, her husband, or her child. “Summer Wind” puts the entire castle crew under a sleeping spell, as the entrapped beauty must age by herself amid a world of silence. The short and poetical “This Century of Sleep or, Briar Rose Beneath the Sea” spends more time on its self-explanatory title than the actual fairy tale itself. A woman’s coma and subsequent dreamland of “The Crossing” gives the sleeping girl story a modern and tragic end, while the absurd “Roach in Loafers” totally turns the puss in boots motif on its head with comical results. A shoemaker loses his nude helpers after his wife tries to make clothing for “Naked Little Men,” a Native American girl falls in with a tribe of bears in the wrenching “Brother Bear,” and a Chinese artist gives his cruel ruler exactly what he deserves in “The Emperor Who Had Never Seen a Dragon.” Southern charm and luck help “Billy Fearless” survive a haunted house and win the girl of his dreams; suffering and woe bring about “The Death of Koshchei the Deathless” in that Russian tale. Cruelty abounds in the stark alteration of a lady and her pea during the violent reinterpretation of “The Real Princess,” the short but stunning “The Huntsman’s Story” makes everyone the Queen’s accomplice, and the darkly satisfying “After Push Comes to Shove” offers a glimpse in the final thoughts of Hansel and Gretel’s cruel tormentor. Magic, riches, and celebrity combine to turn “Hansel and Grettel” into a pop culture story fit for modern audiences. A retelling of “Match Girl” brings in elements of the phoenix to offer hope of rebirth, while “Waking the Prince” sees a girl’s dream man reveal his true ignorant self over the course of their nosediving relationship. Based on Asian folklore, “The Fox Wife” is a longer addition to the collection, but succeeds in fleshing out the classic story of the kitsune fox spirit of legend. Twists and turns abound in “The White Road,” as a young girl’s dream seems to implicate her suitor of murder. “The Traveler and the Tale” gives a mother the chance to win back her stolen child from a changeling family, and “The Printer’s Daughter” sees a old man’s mystical apprentice evolve from a simple girl into her own story. This third assortment provides more unique looks at the classic stories that have filled our collective well. Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears continues the fine tradition of stripping away the overcoating and providing exceptional storytelling.
October 5, 2018
Short/nonexistent reviews because I'm in school and have no time. (Except on my commutes, which is when I'm reading all of these.)
Favorites from this collection:
Summer Wind, by Nancy Kress. Man this take on Sleeping Beauty was a thing of beauty in its own right. Gorgeous writing, ponderous depths. I read it three times.
The Emperor Who Had Never Seen a Dragon, by John Brunner. One of the few set in a non-European-inspired culture. Loved the twist on The Emperor's New Clothes!
The Real Princess, by Susan Palwick. A dark take on The Princess and the Pea with my kind of twist at the end. I'll say no more to avoid spoilers. Read it twice.
After Push Comes to Shove, by Milbre Burch. I was delighted to find poetry scattered through the stories. This one is from the perspective of the witch in Hansel and Gretel.
The Fox Wife, by Ellen Steiber. Another (the only other?) non-European-esque fairy tale. This one felt a little more original, based on a legend than an actual story, but it's very possible that's only because I'm not familiar with Japanese folklore. More like a novella.
The White Road, by Neil Gaiman. To be fair, I knew he was in here, so I was avoiding looking at the authors until after I'd read the stories. But really, no one should be surprised. Another one of my kinds of twists, further empowering--and interest-i-fying--women who, unusually, were already somewhat empowered in the original story.
The Printer's Daughter, by Delia Sherman. Because what book-lover can't appreciate a person made out of books? Another one I read twice.
Favorites from this collection:
Summer Wind, by Nancy Kress. Man this take on Sleeping Beauty was a thing of beauty in its own right. Gorgeous writing, ponderous depths. I read it three times.
The Emperor Who Had Never Seen a Dragon, by John Brunner. One of the few set in a non-European-inspired culture. Loved the twist on The Emperor's New Clothes!
The Real Princess, by Susan Palwick. A dark take on The Princess and the Pea with my kind of twist at the end. I'll say no more to avoid spoilers. Read it twice.
After Push Comes to Shove, by Milbre Burch. I was delighted to find poetry scattered through the stories. This one is from the perspective of the witch in Hansel and Gretel.
The Fox Wife, by Ellen Steiber. Another (the only other?) non-European-esque fairy tale. This one felt a little more original, based on a legend than an actual story, but it's very possible that's only because I'm not familiar with Japanese folklore. More like a novella.
The White Road, by Neil Gaiman. To be fair, I knew he was in here, so I was avoiding looking at the authors until after I'd read the stories. But really, no one should be surprised. Another one of my kinds of twists, further empowering--and interest-i-fying--women who, unusually, were already somewhat empowered in the original story.
The Printer's Daughter, by Delia Sherman. Because what book-lover can't appreciate a person made out of books? Another one I read twice.
January 16, 2022
As always, Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling have collected a diverse and and sparkling collection of fairy tale retellings for this anthology. I'm sad that I've now read all of the anthologies in this series, but I'm sure I'll go back and reread them in years to come - well, maybe not ALL of the stories, as they were a bit of a mixed bag at times!
The bad: Some of the authors seemed to think that "fairy tales retold for adults" meant that they needed to be as dark, twisted, and repellent as possible to stand out... Which is pretty uninventive. Anne Bishop's retelling of The Little Match Girl was appalling (TW: lots of rape and violence) and some stories just seemed to revel in brutality. I definitely skipped a couple of stories in this anthology.
The good: Some of the retellings were so inventive and had a really strong sense of time and place. "The Fox Wife" (Steiber), "The Traveler and the Tale" (Yolen), "The Printer's Daughter (Sherman), "The Death of Koshchei the Deathless" (Wolfe), and "Roach in Loafers" (Lannes) were all well-written and took place in strongly-imagined locations or time periods, ranging from 1800s Japan to Elizabethan London.
Overall, I'd highly recommend this anthology and the rest of the series, but be prepared to skip past some stories when necessary. As is the case with many anthologies!
The bad: Some of the authors seemed to think that "fairy tales retold for adults" meant that they needed to be as dark, twisted, and repellent as possible to stand out... Which is pretty uninventive. Anne Bishop's retelling of The Little Match Girl was appalling (TW: lots of rape and violence) and some stories just seemed to revel in brutality. I definitely skipped a couple of stories in this anthology.
The good: Some of the retellings were so inventive and had a really strong sense of time and place. "The Fox Wife" (Steiber), "The Traveler and the Tale" (Yolen), "The Printer's Daughter (Sherman), "The Death of Koshchei the Deathless" (Wolfe), and "Roach in Loafers" (Lannes) were all well-written and took place in strongly-imagined locations or time periods, ranging from 1800s Japan to Elizabethan London.
Overall, I'd highly recommend this anthology and the rest of the series, but be prepared to skip past some stories when necessary. As is the case with many anthologies!
May 14, 2018
Wow, what a drag. I'm so grateful to be done with the book. I don't know why I felt obligated to finish. I think I need to avoid anthologies in the future. Of the 23 stories the only ones I liked were:
"Billy Fearless" (I particularly liked this spin on Grimm)
"The Fox Wife" (Haunting Japanese Kitsune folk)
"The White Road" (Gaiman on Mr Fox - I just like his writing style)
I liked these because they stylistically felt more like real fairy/folk tales to me. I read this anthology because I wanted to read the story by Gaiman (which I read first). After that most of the book was a total slog ranging from just plain stupid to somewhat obscene. I love fairy/folk tales but don't seem to appreciate their "modernizations." Its not that I need them to be sanitized - I just prefer the minimalist description of awful things to the gratuitous shock value versions. This will probably most appeal to people who enjoy fairy/folktales, horror, and marginally graphic romance. There are a couple of stories that incorporated sexual abuse and bestiality - neither of which are my cup of tea. "Match Girl" was particularly horrific and difficult to read. I far prefer Andersson's original version and message.
"Billy Fearless" (I particularly liked this spin on Grimm)
"The Fox Wife" (Haunting Japanese Kitsune folk)
"The White Road" (Gaiman on Mr Fox - I just like his writing style)
I liked these because they stylistically felt more like real fairy/folk tales to me. I read this anthology because I wanted to read the story by Gaiman (which I read first). After that most of the book was a total slog ranging from just plain stupid to somewhat obscene. I love fairy/folk tales but don't seem to appreciate their "modernizations." Its not that I need them to be sanitized - I just prefer the minimalist description of awful things to the gratuitous shock value versions. This will probably most appeal to people who enjoy fairy/folktales, horror, and marginally graphic romance. There are a couple of stories that incorporated sexual abuse and bestiality - neither of which are my cup of tea. "Match Girl" was particularly horrific and difficult to read. I far prefer Andersson's original version and message.
January 9, 2024
I'd rate this 4.5, but I round up in such cases when I walk away entertained.
I love a good fairy tale retelling, and this series by editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling are full of so many. Tales that are dark as the original oral tales, and the introduction to this plainly informs/warns the audience that these aren't the watered-down Disney versions many are familiar with.
My personal favorites were the following...
The Fox Wife by Ellen Steiber (Absolute favorite of the book!)
Match Girl by Anne Bishop (Great, but I had to stop reading for a little bit.)
The Roach In Loafers by Roberta Lanes (Unexpectedly enjoyable tone)
Billy Fearless by Nancy Collins (I found to be the funniest entry in the book!)
Masterpiece by Garry Kilworth (Being a painter myself, I loved it so much, even with a downer ending)
The other stories were good, but the previously mentioned stories had potential to give us a novel-length goodness. That would have made good stories greater, but that happens in anthologies. If it leaves you wanting more, but that's the mark of a fairy tale done well.
I love a good fairy tale retelling, and this series by editors Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling are full of so many. Tales that are dark as the original oral tales, and the introduction to this plainly informs/warns the audience that these aren't the watered-down Disney versions many are familiar with.
My personal favorites were the following...
The Fox Wife by Ellen Steiber (Absolute favorite of the book!)
Match Girl by Anne Bishop (Great, but I had to stop reading for a little bit.)
The Roach In Loafers by Roberta Lanes (Unexpectedly enjoyable tone)
Billy Fearless by Nancy Collins (I found to be the funniest entry in the book!)
Masterpiece by Garry Kilworth (Being a painter myself, I loved it so much, even with a downer ending)
The other stories were good, but the previously mentioned stories had potential to give us a novel-length goodness. That would have made good stories greater, but that happens in anthologies. If it leaves you wanting more, but that's the mark of a fairy tale done well.
June 8, 2019
3.5 stars. Most stories are all right, with a few stand outs:
TERRIBLE-
The Crossing: I was most looking forward to this Joyce Carol Oates story, and it turned out to be the WORST in the collection. Exceedingly tedious and boring. Felt like it was written at some other time and then submitted as a “modern fairy tale” when it’s nothing of the sort.
Roach in Loafers: amateurish
The Death of Koshchei the Deathless: nearly incomprehensible
Hansel and Grettel: bizarre
EXCELLENT-
I guess they saved the best for last, since my favorite stories were 4 out of the final 5:
Waking the Prince: engaging but wanted more from this one. Connection between the two threads felt tenuous.
The Fox Wife: beautiful Japanese tale. Slightly confusing ending
The Traveler and the Tale: I LOVED THIS ONE. Emotionally moving and truly original. Wish it were a full novel.
The Printer’s Daughter: also lovely. Written in medieval style and it actually feels authentic.
Those last three made the whole book worth it.
TERRIBLE-
The Crossing: I was most looking forward to this Joyce Carol Oates story, and it turned out to be the WORST in the collection. Exceedingly tedious and boring. Felt like it was written at some other time and then submitted as a “modern fairy tale” when it’s nothing of the sort.
Roach in Loafers: amateurish
The Death of Koshchei the Deathless: nearly incomprehensible
Hansel and Grettel: bizarre
EXCELLENT-
I guess they saved the best for last, since my favorite stories were 4 out of the final 5:
Waking the Prince: engaging but wanted more from this one. Connection between the two threads felt tenuous.
The Fox Wife: beautiful Japanese tale. Slightly confusing ending
The Traveler and the Tale: I LOVED THIS ONE. Emotionally moving and truly original. Wish it were a full novel.
The Printer’s Daughter: also lovely. Written in medieval style and it actually feels authentic.
Those last three made the whole book worth it.
February 1, 2021
I do love fairytale re-tellings, and after reading Black Thorn, White Rose (as well as Black Swan, White Raven and The Green Man: Tales from the Mythic Forest), I decided to read another collection by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling: Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears.
Like many anthologies, this one has many stories that I loved, a couple that were good, and a few that didn’t work for me for various reasons. I loved Tanith Lee’s The Beast, which was a haunting, disturbing story about the selfish cruelty a beautiful face can sometimes hide. I think this story had even more power because it felt as though it somehow surfaced subtle elements of classicism and perhaps racism that can underlie some types of stories. Likewise, Masterpiece by Garry Kilworth established an eerie, disturbing, twist on Rumpelstiltskin, one that examines how much we understand and except the bargains we make, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for the things that we want.
More on my blog: https://www.lunarianpress.com/news/20...
Like many anthologies, this one has many stories that I loved, a couple that were good, and a few that didn’t work for me for various reasons. I loved Tanith Lee’s The Beast, which was a haunting, disturbing story about the selfish cruelty a beautiful face can sometimes hide. I think this story had even more power because it felt as though it somehow surfaced subtle elements of classicism and perhaps racism that can underlie some types of stories. Likewise, Masterpiece by Garry Kilworth established an eerie, disturbing, twist on Rumpelstiltskin, one that examines how much we understand and except the bargains we make, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for the things that we want.
More on my blog: https://www.lunarianpress.com/news/20...
August 18, 2025
It’s an anthology, my stance on them is well-known: you get some barn-burner stories that stick in your head for years to come, plenty of middling ones, and one or two that are actively bad. Anne Bishop’s “matchstick girl” retelling was absolutely the latter. It used the original story badly to wallow in gang-rape, torture, and all around misogyny. What was the point? Joyce Carol Oates did a much better interpretation in the next anthology. (Anne Bishop had another story in a different volume of this anthology that leads me to suspect that this is like, A Thing for her).
And it isn’t even because I’m squeamish about the full implications of “adult reimaginings of classic fairy tales”. Susan Palwick’s “The Real Princess” had everything Bishop’s story did and more, objectionable content wise, but it was so incredible I pretty much read it with my jaw hanging open in shock.
And it’s kind of fun to see who pops up in these anthologies, to imagine what the fantasy/sci-fi writing scene was like in the 80s and 90s.
And it isn’t even because I’m squeamish about the full implications of “adult reimaginings of classic fairy tales”. Susan Palwick’s “The Real Princess” had everything Bishop’s story did and more, objectionable content wise, but it was so incredible I pretty much read it with my jaw hanging open in shock.
And it’s kind of fun to see who pops up in these anthologies, to imagine what the fantasy/sci-fi writing scene was like in the 80s and 90s.
August 10, 2019
This is a collection of fairy tales retold, put in modern times, or from a different point of view. The contributors are all excellent writers, and most if not all, are probably on your favorite's list from Neil Gaiman to Joyce Carol Oates to Tanith Lee.
Of the 20 or so stories, I enjoyed all but three, and those may have just caught me in a mood. Some were outright funny. And some were like meeting an old friend after a long absence.
To be honest, fairy tales have never been my favorite story, and I can't tell you why, because I don't really know. Every so often, I buy a book in a genre that isn't my favorite, but the author is, and I always learn something, and often enjoy the book. I did enjoy most of this book. I laughed in some places and cried in a couple. Mostly I just enjoyed the story.
If you're a fan of fairy tales, by all means, buy this. The writing, of course, is superb.
Of the 20 or so stories, I enjoyed all but three, and those may have just caught me in a mood. Some were outright funny. And some were like meeting an old friend after a long absence.
To be honest, fairy tales have never been my favorite story, and I can't tell you why, because I don't really know. Every so often, I buy a book in a genre that isn't my favorite, but the author is, and I always learn something, and often enjoy the book. I did enjoy most of this book. I laughed in some places and cried in a couple. Mostly I just enjoyed the story.
If you're a fan of fairy tales, by all means, buy this. The writing, of course, is superb.
September 27, 2024
2.5 stars
So I finished the anthology before the end of the month. Other than being impressed with myself I’d say that the stories were mostly on the ok side. Some incomprehensible one but not a lot of stand-outs either. Only two, I think which made me want to check out more from the authors. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
Still it’s been on the shelves for a long time so good to get it off the TBR. I may come back and put some thoughts on the individual stories.
My favourites were:
The Beast - Tanith Lee
Summer Wind - Nancy Kress (this was probably the best in the collection)
Brother Bear - Lisa Goldstein
The Real Princess - Susan Palwick
Hansel and Gretel - Grahan Wilson
Match Girl - Anne Bishop
The Printer’s Daugther - Delia Sherman
So I finished the anthology before the end of the month. Other than being impressed with myself I’d say that the stories were mostly on the ok side. Some incomprehensible one but not a lot of stand-outs either. Only two, I think which made me want to check out more from the authors. 🤷♀️🤷♀️
Still it’s been on the shelves for a long time so good to get it off the TBR. I may come back and put some thoughts on the individual stories.
My favourites were:
The Beast - Tanith Lee
Summer Wind - Nancy Kress (this was probably the best in the collection)
Brother Bear - Lisa Goldstein
The Real Princess - Susan Palwick
Hansel and Gretel - Grahan Wilson
Match Girl - Anne Bishop
The Printer’s Daugther - Delia Sherman
April 27, 2018
This, the third in their series of anthologies of ‘fairy tales for adults,’ continues along the lines of Snow White, Blood Red and Black Thorn, White Rose. Anyone who enjoyed fairy tales as a child will enjoy these grown-up story by the likes of Joyce Carol Oates, Gahan Wilson, Tanith Lee, and Neil Gaiman, to name a few of the contributors.
Dark and disturbing, these are just as frightening and compelling as Grimm’s Fairy Tales were to me as a child. These are not Disney fairy tales, but throwbacks to the stories I loved and shivered to read when I was a child. These are children’s tales all grown up.
My blog:
The Interstitial Reader
https://theinterstitialreader.wordpre...
Dark and disturbing, these are just as frightening and compelling as Grimm’s Fairy Tales were to me as a child. These are not Disney fairy tales, but throwbacks to the stories I loved and shivered to read when I was a child. These are children’s tales all grown up.
My blog:
The Interstitial Reader
https://theinterstitialreader.wordpre...
June 9, 2022
I had high hopes for this collection as possibly similar to Jim Henson's The Storyteller. Unfortunately most of these didn't really work for me.
Standouts:
Masterpiece by Garry Kilworth 4/5
An artist at rock bottom, on the brink of total despair is saved by a mysterious character, Mr Black. The price? That which is most important to her a few years later.
Of course when her fortunes have changed now Black (now Ms) comes to collect. What is the most important thing to her now - the charming husband, her newborn, or her masterpiece art creation?
The Death of Koschei the Deathless by Gene Wolfe 3/5
Well written, Russian folk tales often have a certain something. Good but missing a certain something.
Standouts:
Masterpiece by Garry Kilworth 4/5
An artist at rock bottom, on the brink of total despair is saved by a mysterious character, Mr Black. The price? That which is most important to her a few years later.
Of course when her fortunes have changed now Black (now Ms) comes to collect. What is the most important thing to her now - the charming husband, her newborn, or her masterpiece art creation?
The Death of Koschei the Deathless by Gene Wolfe 3/5
Well written, Russian folk tales often have a certain something. Good but missing a certain something.
June 21, 2022
I gave it at least two stars because there were at least 2 or 3 good stories in there. But the rest were crap. Some were terrible and others written so badly they were a bit hard to follow. I was going to look at each story as its own thing instead of the book as a whole, but since so many of them were bad, my review can just be about the whole book of collected stories.
Each story is supposed to be a retelling of different fairytales and stories, and I do love retellings, but this one was just bad.
Each story is supposed to be a retelling of different fairytales and stories, and I do love retellings, but this one was just bad.
April 13, 2018
This is only the second book I have ever not been able to finish. The fault isn't with the book, it is with my having started it. I downloaded it because it contained a short story by Joyce Carol Oates, one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed that story but there are 22 others, most of which I didn't care for. The horror story/fantasy genre is not for me. If it's something you like, I'm sure this is a wonderful collection.
February 13, 2019
Not what I expected
This collection was nothing like what I really expected. There's very little in it I found either interesting or enjoyable. In fact, most of the stories were more depressing than anything else. The only one I really liked was the final one and that one made me cry a little. Not sure yet if they're happy tears or sad but this story was the best of the brunch as far as I'm concerned and the only one I'd want to read more than once
This collection was nothing like what I really expected. There's very little in it I found either interesting or enjoyable. In fact, most of the stories were more depressing than anything else. The only one I really liked was the final one and that one made me cry a little. Not sure yet if they're happy tears or sad but this story was the best of the brunch as far as I'm concerned and the only one I'd want to read more than once
May 19, 2025
I honestly don't know what to say, I could not bring myself to read much of the stories that were in this anthology, they were just too gross and too weird and not to my liking. I loved the first Anthology that I read with some of these authors of Snow White blood red, but this one just did not spark my interest. I am trying to decide if I should even look for other anthologies by these authors or not.
January 5, 2015
An introduction into the world of märchen (fairy tales), and how the authors in this book entwined them with horror. It gives the history of both fairy tales and Christianity, the intertwining of each to the other. Each chapter has a short introduction, which suggests either horrific events, or a kind of lightness to the tale.
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