[Caly]

Hi guys--

I just looked through all the topics and didn't seem to find one about fairy tales so I just hope I am not doing a repeat post. If so, point me in the right direction please.

On to the topic--

Does anyone know of some good authors who base their fantasy books on fairy tales? I love fairy tales, esp when they are re-worked as an adult story (historically fairy tales were for adults, not children, so I think this is a better treatment of them).

I've read a ton already, and now I am not sure where to turn for more fairy tale novelizations.

Here's what I've read already:

McKinely--she is pretty hit and miss. Some books are excellent, others are annoying

Marlierrer (can never spell her name) and LOVE her.

Maguire--Wicked was too philosophical but Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister was Excellent

Donna Jo Napoli--interesting author, not sure if I like her or not. Definetly liked Sirena, based on Greek myth though, not fairy tales.

I can't think of any others right now.

I'd really appreciate any reccs you guys can give me. It doesn't seem like I have the same taste as a lot of people here, so we shall see what happens.

Caleyna

[FitzChivalry]

Try Neil Gaiman's Stardust, it isn't a novelization of a known fairy tale but it's a whole new fairy tale made up by Gaiman and it's for adults.
Can't go wrong with Gaiman.

[Rob B]

Charles de Lint
Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood incoroporates many myths and fairy tales.
Angela Carter
Jeffrery Maguire
China Mieville's King Rat

[Caly]

I forgot about Stardust, but I totally loved it. Have you seen the illustrated version? Bit or mini-porno in there.

I haven't read any of the others, but now they are on my list to check out. So many books, so little time!

Thanks guys,
Caleyna

[Cadfael]

I read a series a few years ago by a lady called Nancy Springer, although not stricly an adaptation of a particular fairy story, there are elements of fairy tales there...

Book of the Isle Series

Dark Moon (1976)
The Book of Suns (1977)
The White Hart (1979)
The Silver Sun (1980)
The Sable Moon (1981)
The Black Beast (1982)
The Golden Swan (1983)


[This message has been edited by dennizm (edited August 19, 2001).]

[e-Morgana]

You could try The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey. It has the evil sorceror who turns women into swans by day but who revert to human form by night. I think this is based on a fairy tale from somewhere?

[cassandra]

Sherri Tepper's "Beauty" is a reworking of a number of major fairy tales. The central one is Sleeping Beauty, who is the main character of the book.
I feel I should warn you somehow about this book. Tepper uses her sci-fi/fantasy books to perpetuate her beliefs about society, women, men, the environment, morals, just about everything. Beauty is very very good, IMO, but it's brutal at times. Definately for adults only. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Rob B]

Give The Tooth Fairy by Graham Joyce a try. VERY intersting take on the taker of teeth.

[Barbarossa]

More a sppof of fairy tales would be "bring me the head of price charming" by Zelazny and Sheckley.
Very reccomendable anyway. There are sequels too, I beleive, but I never got my hands on those.

[FitzChivalry]

There sequels are:
If at Faust You Don't Succeed
A Farce to be Reckoned With.

Those two are good reads too.