The Ghost Writer

by Loreth Anne White

“Fairy tales were not initially intended for children.

“Their stories were larger than life, violent, dystopian.” She sets her glass down. “Often about girls controlled by the whims of fathers, kings, wicked witches. And their rebellious subtext slid right past court censors. In many of their renditions, groups of fairies—intelligent, independent women—stepped in to put things right.” She smiles. “Your early domestic thrillers, if you will. Women getting their just rewards, sometimes in over-the-top ways.”