Book Review (Anthology): Snow White, Blood Red (3 Stars)

Edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

Read in October 2008

Warning: Spoilers

Average rating: 3.05 stars

Like a Red, Red Rose by Susan Wade (4 stars) ~ Several fairy tale motifs are present in this story including a cottage in the woods, an innocent girl, a witch and a prince. Wades recombines the old ingredients into a new recipe as effective as any of the traditional variations.

The Moon is Drowning While I Sleep by Charles de Lint (3 stars) ~ The dream world crossing over into the real world and possibly into Faerie just didn’t do it for me.

The Frog Prince by Gahan Wilson (2 stars) ~ Even worse than the dream world in the previous story, this story has a delusional man convinced he’s hallucinating himself as the frog prince.

Stalking Beans by Nancy Kress (1 star) ~ This adult fairy tale was too adult for me and too male as well, especially since it was written by a female.

Snow-Drop by Tanith Lee (4 stars) ~ Riveting retelling of Snow White from a completely twisted and different point-of-view.

Little Red by Wendy Wheeler (3 stars) ~ Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf’s point of view

I Shall Do Thee Mischief in the Wood by Kathie Koja (2 stars) ~ Again a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, from the wolf’s point of view and turned on it’s head.

The Root of the Matter by Gregory Frost (3 stars) ~ An average retelling of Rapunzel.

The Princess in the Tower by Elizabeth A. Lynn (4 stars) ~ A very good retelling of Rapunzel, from a male perspective, poignant ending.

Persimmon by Harvey Jacobs (2 stars) ~ Thumbalina but again, too “adult” for my tastes.

Little Poucet Steve Rasnic Tem (2 stars) ~ Another little known fairy tale that was too “X” rated for my tastes.

The Changelings by Melanie Tem (2 stars) ~ Pitiful mother of a changeling child and the ending will leave you disappointed by the delusion.

The Springfield Swans by Caroline Stevermer and Ryan Edmonds (4 stars) ~ A wonderful retelling of “The Wild Swans” using a baseball team theme.

Troll Bridge by Neil Gaiman (4 stars) ~ Grimm told it first, but Gaiman told “Three Billy Goats Gruff” better.

A Sound, Like Angels Singing by Leonard Rysdy (3 stars) ~ It’s not until you are almost finished that you realize this the Pied Piper told from the point of view of a deaf or at least tone-deaf mother rat.

Puss by Esther M. Friesner (4 stars) ~ Immortal cats with wings, personalities and powers but bound to mortals by honor.

The Glass Casket by Jack Dann (4 stars) ~ My favorite short story of the collection. Reminded me of “The Inner Light” my favorite Star Trek TNG episode that one a Hugo.

Knives by Jane Yolen (3 stars) ~ A short dark poem about Cinderella.

The Snow Queen by Patricia A. McKillip (4 stars) ~ My second favorite story of the collection – a modern day love triangle between Gerda and Kay (who are married) and Neva (the Snow Queen).

Breadcrubs and Stones Lisa Goldstein (3 stars) ~ Hanzel and Gretel meet the Holocaust – full of regrets and secrets held too closely to the breast and unto the deathbeds of the survivors.

GR Status Updates:

10/01/2008	page 1	0.24%
10/01/2008	page 22	5.33%	“I finished the introductions, now on to the first adult faery tale of the collection.”
10/02/2008	page 50	12.11%	“Finished first tale Like a Red, Red Rose.” 1 comment
10/02/2008	page 50	12.11%	“Finished first tale Like a Red, Red Rose.”
10/04/2008	page 80	19.37%	“Finished second tale “The Moon is Drowning While I Sleep” by Charles de Lint. I’d give it three stars.”
10/05/2008	page 88	21.31%	“Finished the thrid tale “The Frog Prince.” I’d give it two or three stars.”
10/05/2008	page 104	25.18%	“Finished “Stalking Beans.” I’d give it two stars.”
10/05/2008	page 130	31.48%	“Finished “Snow-Drop.” I would give this short story by Tanith lee a rating of four stars.”
10/05/2008	page 147	35.59%	“Finished “Little Red” and I would give this short story a rating of three stars.”
10/07/2008	page 161	38.98%	“Finished “I Shall Do The Mischief In The Wood” another retelling of Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf’s point of view. A two star rating”
10/08/2008	page 172	41.65%	“Partway through “The Root of the Matter” which is a retelling of Rapunzel.”
10/09/2008	page 196	47.46%	“Finished “The Root of the Matter” which is a retelling of Rapunzel. I would rate this short story with three stars.”
10/11/2008	page 214	51.82%	“Finished “The Princess in the Tower” which is another retelling of Rapunzel. I would rate this short story with four stars.”
10/12/2008	page 228	55.21%	“Finished “Persmission” which is a retelling of Thumbalina. I would rate this short story with two stars.”
10/12/2008	page 228	55.21%	“Finished “Persimon” which is a retelling of Thumbalina. I would rate this short story with two stars.”
10/12/2008	page 228	55.21%	“Finished “Persimmon” which is a retelling of Thumbalina. I would rate this short story with two stars.”
10/15/2008	page 248	60.05%	“Finished “Little Poucet” and I would rate this short story with two stars.”
10/16/2008	page 258	62.47%	“In the midst of “The Changeling.:”
10/18/2008	page 274	66.34%	“Finished “The Changeling” and it only rates, maybe, two stars. Started “The Springfield Swans.”” 1 comment
10/20/2008	page 296	71.67%	“Finished “The Springfield Swans” and “Troll Bridge.” Both of those adult fairy tales rate four stars.”
10/21/2008	page 320	77.48%	“Finished “A Sound, Like Angels Singing” (3 stars) and I’m in the Midst of “Puss.””
10/28/2008	page 338	81.84%	“Finished “Puss” (4 stars) and starting “The Glass Casket.””
10/28/2008	page 357	86.44%	“Finished “The Glass Casket” (4 stars easily – probably my favorite in the collection thus far) and starting “Knives.””
10/28/2008	page 360	87.17%	“Finished “Knives” (3 stars) was a short dark poem about Cinderalla. Now starting “The Snow Queen” by Patricia McKillip.”
10/29/2008	page 385	93.22%	“In the middle ot “The Snow Queen” by Patricia McKillip.”
10/29/2008	page 389	94.19%	“Finished “The Snow Queen” by Patricia McKillip and it’s as good as I could have hoped – definitely four stars. Starting the last story!”
10/29/2008	page 406	98.31%	“Finished “Breadcrumbs and Stones” (three stars) and that concludes this anthology.”

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