Far North and Other Dark Tales

by Sara Maitland

More modern traditional tales' from an acknowledged master of the genre, drawing on the author's deep knowledge of classical mythology and traditional stories from every continent. Far North', based on an Inuit myth, is set among desperate women in the frozen north surviving against all odds. Here is a new version of the Grimms' tale of the seven swan brothers and their sister's vow of silence; the Sirens justify the mayhem they wreak on the Greek sailors, while a tribe struggles over the tattooing of babies in the Amazon, Sheherazade is still trying to stay alive by telling stories, and the Princess Kalito tries to free both her feet and her heart from their bindings. "An entertaining and through-provoking piece." The Midwest Book Review

Genres: Short Stories, Fairy Tales, Fantasy

252 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2008

About the author

Sara Maitland is a British writer and academic. An accomplished novelist, she is also known for her short stories. Her work has a magic realist tendency. Maitland is regarded as one of those at the vanguard of the 1970s feminist movement, and is often described as a feminist writer. She is a Roman Catholic, and religion is another theme in much of her work.

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was prescribed for me by a friend, and it hit the spot very well. :-) It was very dark, but quite exquisite. I particularly liked and related to the story 'How do I know who I am if I keep changing', but every story held me rapt from start to finish.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read the Far North story and it was great. I’d like to read the others

[Tiffany Lynn Kramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating for Far North comes down to most of the stories and style simply not being for me.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maitland draws inpiration for this collection of short stories from fairy tales, bible stories and traditional myths and legends, and weaves a beautiful, lyrical and deliciously dark book from her threads. Her writing focuses strongly on the feminine experience, and gives surprising and intriguing twists to familiar tales. The stand-out stories are Far North, based on an Inuit legend, and Slicing Gingerbread, a re-working of Hansel and Gretel.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some terrific stories in this collection, some eh. Some known to me previously, some not. All in all, I'm glad I read it. Sara Maitland really knocks it out of the park when she knocks it out of the park.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark, beautiful stories.

[Marytank]

Best book of short stories I have ever read. Read Hansel and Gretel, it is a very interesting twist on this old fairy tail. I will read more of Sara Maitlan's books, she has hooked me.

[Nicholas Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2158365.html

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara Maitland is awesome