The Wild Swans

by Berlie Doherty

This text is an illustrated retelling of the classic fairy tale.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Berlie Doherty née Hollingsworth is an English novelist, poet, playwright and screenwriter. She is best known for children's books, for which she has twice won the Carnegie Medal.She has also written novels for adults, plays for theatre and radio, television series and libretti for children's opera.

Reviews

[Ericafh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot more. Girls in fairytales have it so rough, goodness. Not only was her birth the cause of her brothers' "disappearance" (changing into swans), which was not her fault! She felt horrible for it and did her very best to try and save them. Also, we love an active protagonist who takes things into her own hands to get what she wants. Loses points for lack of consent; girlie isn't allowed to speak so the Prince is basically like, you're pretty, I'm taking you home. And then she can't even (well doesn't choose to so that she doesn't break the rules for saving her brothers) speak to save her life when she's accused of witchcraft and sent to be burnt at the stake! But she makes the shirts in time and gets saved by her brothers so it's a happy ending - except for the youngest brother who's arm is a swan wing bc she didn't finish the last shirt in time. I've always wondered what happens to him afterwards

[Jess Munnery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd say short and sweet but I'm not sure sweet fits that ending.