Gem ’s Comments (group member since Sep 12, 2022)

Gem ’s comments from the Once Upon a Time... group.

Lisa wrote: "It does seem like Carter had to bring sexual relations into every tale..."
Yes! I don't necessarily care for this angle at all. When I read "The Bloody Chamber" I told my husband, "This is practically porn."

I finished "The Snow Child" and it was... (words escape me).

When I looked up the original tale, the child is usually a boy. A very different story than this retelling. Of course, the writer's imagination is one of the reasons I enjoy retellings. This author seems to have her mind on one thing and I don't think it enhances the stories.

I did not recognize The Erl-King at all. When I looked it up this is what I found: "Erlkönig" is a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It depicts the death of a child assailed by a supernatural being, the Erlking, a king of the fairies. It was originally written by Goethe as part of a 1782 Singspiel, Die Fischerin.

This is a translation by Edgar Alfred Bowring:

Who rides there so late through the night dark and drear?
The father it is, with his infant so dear;
He holdeth the boy tightly clasp'd in his arm,
He holdeth him safely, he keepeth him warm.

My son, wherefore seek'st thou thy face thus to hide?
Look, father, the Erl-King is close by our side!
Dost see not the Erl-King, with crown and with train?
My son, 'tis the mist rising over the plain.

"Oh, come, thou dear infant! oh come thou with me!
For many a game, I will play there with thee;
On my strand, lovely flowers their blossoms unfold,
My mother shall grace thee with garments of gold."

My father, my father, and dost thou not hear
The words that the Erl-King now breathes in mine ear?
Be calm, dearest child, 'tis thy fancy deceives;
'Tis the sad wind that sighs through the withering leaves.

"Wilt go, then, dear infant, wilt go with me there?
My daughters shall tend thee with sisterly care;
My daughters by night their glad festival keep,
They'll dance thee, and rock thee, and sing thee to sleep."

My father, my father, and dost thou not see,
How the Erl-King his daughters has brought here for me?
My darling, my darling, I see it aright,
'Tis the aged grey willows deceiving thy sight.

"I love thee, I'm charm'd by thy beauty, dear boy!
And if thou'rt unwilling, then force I'll employ."
My father, my father, he seizes me fast,
For sorely, the Erl-King has hurt me at last.

The father now gallops, with terror half wild,
He grasps in his arms the poor shuddering child;
He reaches his courtyard with toil and with dread,
The child in his arms finds he motionless, dead.

I read "Puss in Boots" and found the original, well two actually. I read "Costantino and His Cat" by Fiovanni Francesco Straparola and "The Master Cat; or, Puss in Boots" by Charles Perrault. I think Angela Carter's version was a bit spicer and more enjoyable.

Adriel wrote: "I did not read the introduction as it seemed a bit full of spoilers"

I generally don't read intros for this very reason.

Lisa wrote: "I found it overly wordy, pretentious, and archaic." and There were still a few instances of overbearing vocabulary...

I struggled with these issues but I generally assume that it is my own vocabulary lack of vocabulary that causes them. I'm glad I wasn't alone in this.

Adriel wrote: "I can actually get this one and have wanted to read it for a while so joining in. Just started so a bit behind."

No worries, you aren't behind. It's a short book, I'm reading a story every few days to stretch it out. Carter is an excellent writer, I think you'll enjoy.

The Tiger's Bride is also a retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." While not bad, I did not enjoy it as much as "The Courtship of Mr. Lyon."

I did not know the story of "Bluebeard." In "The Bloody Chamber" the author stayed close to the Charles Perrault tale. It was fun to read them both

I finished with "The Courtship of Mr. Lyon." This story is a retelling of "Beauty and the Beast." I enjoyed this story but then I love most things "Beauty and the Beast."

I like anything that shows girls they are capable human beings. Unfortunately, though society might be a bit better about girls/women than when I was a child it's still good for them to understand they can make their own choices and create their own lives.

I finished today. Initially, I didn't think I was going to enjoy this story but I love the fact that Princess Cimorene does not need rescuing. Life in her parents' kingdom doesn't fit her so she strikes out to find a life that does. This is a great story with a good moral for all kids but for girls especially, it's empowering.

I finished "The Bloody Chamber," I won't say too much until others have a chance to read it. This is a retelling of "Bluebeard," now I have to find "Bluebeard" to read.

I picked up my copy at the library, I hope to start reading today or tomorrow.

I started listening to this. Hopefully, when I'm doing my chores tomorrow I can make some progress.

Lisa wrote: "I think I must need to update my settings because I am not getting notifications when comments are made."

I had that problem previously but had not changed my settings, then it resolved itself.

Cheryl wrote: "Thank you for this! There are definitely some I'm excited to read!"

I'm glad you like the selections.

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Hello Fellow Fairy Tales Readers,


Welcome to our discussion about Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien.
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about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. If you would like to use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
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Summary

Can you imagine writing to Father Christmas and actually getting a reply? For more than twenty years, the children of J.R.R. Tolkien received letters from the North Pole - from Father Christmas himself! They told wonderful stories of mischief and disaster, adventures, and battles: how the reindeer got loose and scattered presents all over the place, how the accident-prone Polar Bear climbed the North Pole and fell through the roof of Father Christmas's house, and many others.

Hello Fellow Fairy Tales Readers,


Welcome to our discussion about Snow White by Jacob Grimm.
___________________________________________
about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. If you would like to use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
___________________________________________


Summary

Each day Snow White’s stepmother looks into a magic mirror to make sure she is the prettiest woman in all the land. But one day when the mirror says Snow White is prettier than her, she becomes so angry that she orders a hunter to kill the girl. The hunter takes pity on her, however, and lets her escape. Snow White wanders around until she arrives at the house of the Seven Dwarfs. When her stepmother finds out she’s still alive, she is determined to kill Snow White herself and succeeds by giving her a poisoned apple. The Seven Dwarfs cannot save Snow White and lay her in a glass coffin . . . until a prince rides by.

Hello Fellow Fairy Tales Readers,


Welcome to our discussion about Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.
___________________________________________
about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. If you would like to use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
___________________________________________


Summary

One starry night, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland - the island where lost boys play, mermaids splash and fairies make mischief. But a villainous-looking gang of pirates lurk in the docks, led by the terrifying Captain James Hook. Magic and excitement are in the air, but if Captain Hook has his way, before long, someone will be walking the plank and swimming with the crocodiles...