Review: A Stunningly Good Example of the Re-imagined Folk Tale
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 5, 2012
There is currently a substantial sub-genre of re-imagined and re-purposed fairy tales and folk stories. On the middle grade and YA front we are seeing new variations on Roman, Greek, Welsh, Norse and even, finally, American and Appalachian tales. For more advanced readers there are variations and new stories being written by masters like Neil Gaiman, and there are multiple volumes of reworkings of Snow White, Red Riding Hood, and the like, (from feminist, post-feminist, Marxist, hyper-erotic, and you-name-it points of view). Almost all of these efforts, regardless of their overall success, have a great deal to recommend them.All of that is by way of noting that this novella/short story, (which is still, amazingly, free for Kindle), is a wonderful addition to the canon. Our hero has more depth and develops more during the story, than is usually the case. The mystical traveler has the perfect air of charming danger and restrained other worldly power than gives stories like this their energy. And the language is way, way beyond the standard fare. Atmosphere builds slowly but inexorably. Small observations and little throw away descriptions are perfect gems hidden within the narrative. Big themes are suggested, but not belabored. Many of these re-imaginings revolve around one or two clever ideas, but they often thin out or run out of steam once that idea has been exhausted. But here, the story just keeps building and evolving, until it reaches its final compelling conclusion.If you like modern fairy tales, this is worth a try. If you'd like to see what's new since the Grimm boys set down their quills, this is a great place to start.