This beautifully illustrated collection of fairy tales was given to me when I was 9 or 10 and I loved it. I haven't read it since, but recently found it again and here we are.
The book includes 10 stories, most of which are apparently by a Frenchman called Charles Perrault, who lived in the 17th century. His stories were published in the 1680s and 90s and have been translated, adapted and retold frequently since then.
The stories are retold here by Susie Saunders and the edition is illustrated by Monique Gorde.
I had one big shock when re-reading this collection - it concerned the ending to Sleeping Beauty. I remember the ending as the prince kissing the sleeping princess and her waking up. Have I been wrong all these years? I was very disturbed to read on and find that the prince's mother came from a family of ogres and that she'd go on to try and eat the princess and her children! Did anyone else know about this??
Aside from this, I greatly enjoyed getting a bedtime story again. :-)
Challenges: Centuries Challenge, Childhood Favorites, Once upon a Time III
6 comments:
Fairy tales in their original form were often disturbing. I don't know a lot about them, but I'm thinking they weren't really meant for kids.
Lezlie
Yep...that's Perrault's Sleeping Beauty alright :P The Grimm's version, Briar Rose, is different, so I'm guessing that was the one you grew up with.
I just finished a book about this very topic which I plan to review soon. I love fairy tales :)
Lezlie - do you know who they were meant for then?
Nymeth - can't wait for your review - any other books on this topic you'd recommend?
Joanna ~ I want to say they were dark fantasy stories for adults, but honestly, I have no idea. I don't know why I have that concept stuck in my brain.
Lezlie
I think the original fairy stories are fascinating. In the early Grimm version of Rapunzel, the witch discovers that she has had a gentleman caller after she ends up pregnant.
Lydia - wow, really? I must read up on fairy tales, this all sounds fascinating!
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