Into the Forest discussion

Here is a place to share your 2014 Challenge progress!

I just finished Beauty, #2 on the challenge list. I quite enjoyed it, and will try more of hers. It seemed to me that the Disney movie took several lines from the novel, but I might be wrong. Nonetheless, I think I will watch the movie again! Though the Beaumont and Villeneuva versions of B&B have never been my favorite fairy tales, the gender dynamics are too forced, to me, I find I do tend to enjoy retellings of B&B. And yet, I enjoy all the other of the B&B fairy tales in Tatar's The Classic Fairy Tales! Maybe because the others are written more like fairy tales, where character development isn't even attempted, whereas the more common versions of B&B (Beaumont) try to make it into a novella. Anyone else feel that way about B&B?

(view spoiler)[

Also, for anyone who's read Beauty, I still have issues with her relationship with the Beast. The feelings of guilt, when he is a man 200+ years her senior who has kidnapped her, seems inappropriate to me. I think for this reason it only scored a 3 for me. Carter's short story "The Lady and the Tiger" is still my favorite B&B retelling. (hide spoiler)]

I read the Beaumont and Villeneuve versions last year, and I agree with what you're saying. It's astonishing how different the retelling are from that original novella by de Villeneuve! The meaning is completely opposite!

From what I understand, "Beauty and the Beast" was an original creation of de Villeneuve. It did have some folkloric elements, but the story as a whole was hers. Villeneuve had a definite agenda, definite plot and characters, etc. It really was a "novella" in every sense of the word. Beaumont simplified it with her abridgment, but it still retained some of that "novella" air. And some of that agenda too.

The de Villeneuve version was all about arranged marriages - the advantages of submitting to them, how unimportant love is, etc. Of course, it was written at a time when arranged marriages were the norm -- at least for that social class. Once you get out of that "arranged marriage" context, a lot of "Beauty and the Beast" retellings do end up seeming creepy! I really disliked the current group read Beastly for that very reason.

I should re-read Beauty one of these days! I haven't read it in at least ten or fifteen years! I might read more into the situation/story as an adult than I did as a teen. Have you read Rose Daughter? It follows the tale a bit more imaginatively, as I recall, though I don't remember how Beauty got in the castle to begin with.

Melanti wrote: "I read the Beaumont and Villeneuve versions last year, and I agree with what you're saying. It's astonishing how different the retelling are from that original novella by de Villeneuve! The meani..."

I didn't realize she wrote another B&B retelling! I'll have to keep an eye out for it. It would be interesting to see how her perspective has changed, particularly since the description says Rose Daughter was written 20 yrs. after Beauty.

Hm. It occurs to me that many of the stories that have a strong "Obey your husband" message came out of the French salons. This is "Obey your husband/family", Perrault teaches not to question your husband too ("Bluebeard", etc)... Andersen teaches to obey and submit to God, but that's not the same thing. The messages in Grimms' however, are a lot more subtle in contrast.

Wonder if that's just a coincidence of the authors I've read so far, or if perhaps the French authors just had a big influence on each other?

Since I was a child I always found B&B creepy. However a few years ago I really enjoyed the one where Beauty falls in the love with the man in her dreams. Which version is that? I believe it's in the Maria Tatar collection or is it somewhere else? Another good B&B re-telling is Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier

My copy of The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories arrived which will be my collection of fractured Fairy Tales!

I couldn't find a B&B retelling where she dreams of her love in the Tatar, but I'm sure it exists! I'll have to pick up Heart's Blood sometime. I read Daughters of the Forest years ago and enjoyed it. I haven't decided whether I'm going to reread it for the group read or not, but I don't remember that much from it, so I'll probably reread it.

Can't wait to hear what you think about The Bloody Chamber!

Beauty dreams of the handsome prince in the de Villeneuve version... But she turns her back on the dream guy in order to honor her obligation to the Beast.

So, perhaps someone took a few cues from that version.

I have a question. I chose my myth to be banshees. When you state to read a modern retelling of the myth. Do y'all mean to read any story about that myth I chose? I am confused at what books I need to search for. lol Sorry. Please help :D

Robin wrote: "I have a question. I chose my myth to be banshees. When you state to read a modern retelling of the myth. Do y'all mean to read any story about that myth I chose? I am confused at what books I need..."

Hi Robin, the challenge was
"4. Read a Greek Myth with which you are not familiar (or have forgotten most of)
5. Then read a modern retelling of that Myth (published 2000 and later)

Is there a particular Myth or Tale about Banshees that you have in mind? Maybe it could be:
11.Read a fairy tale that you are not familiar with and.....
12.then read a retelling or critical book about that tale.

However you brought up an important subject. I have been looking for modern re-tellings of Greek Myths and I am not finding a lot of them! When I go on the Goodreads lists Rick Riordan and his Olympian series keeps popping up or else Romances, but there has got to be more!
I am going start up a new topic looking for recommendations

Oops I'm so tired I just skipped over where it said Greek lol!!! Wow. Well I shall search for something else. But j think you answered my question thank you!!

I've bumped up an old thread on Greek and Roman mythology. There are lots of suggestions there!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I think I decided to read about medusa. I found books retelling of the myth. But what books are there that tell about the myth that I can read. I hope that makes sense.

Anything that talks about Perseus should have it.

It's in Metamorphoses and that's the source I would recommend. You could either read the whole thing OR it's broken up into manageable segments if you wanted to just read Perseus's story. (End of Book 4/Beginning of Book 5)

Other sources -
Bulfinch's Mythology
The Histories
Mythology

(Actually all of these sources have multiple stories so they'd be good sources for a lot of myths.)

Thank you :)

Ooooo I'm going to attempt troll: a love story!! I can't wait!!

Alicia wrote: "Finished The Mirror's Tale and now reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. This one could take a while! I'd be tempted to ask if a 1000 page book could count for two as it..."

Alicia - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is very long, I agree, but it's worth it. (I'm generally a fast reader and it took me about a week and a half, if I recall correctly...)

I am starting my collection of "fractured" Fairy Tales: The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter. I am creeped out by the first story, although I must admit the writing is good!

If one is not averse to YA books, Neal Shusterman has a series called Dark Fusion that brings mythological & Folklore themes into a modern urban setting. First one - Dread Locks. is based on Medusa.

Has anyone read Alif the Unseen yet? It looks like it might have some 1001 Arabian Nights connections... I'm wondering what story (if any!)

Melanti wrote: "Has anyone read Alif the Unseen yet? It looks like it might have some 1001 Arabian Nights connections... I'm wondering what story (if any!)"

Alif the Unseen is on my "to read" list, but I think it is more Urban Fantasy/thriller in a Middle Eastern setting, rather than Arabian Nights inspired. For the challenge I will be reading . Believe it or not, I have only read the stories in this book as children's books or in Disney films. I've never read the originals!

Melanti wrote: "Has anyone read Alif the Unseen yet? It looks like it might have some 1001 Arabian Nights connections... I'm wondering what story (if any!)"

I've seen Alif the Unseen come in at the bookstore I work at, but I can't decide how Arabian Night-inspired it actually is. I'm agreeing with Jalilah.

I can't decide whether to read Haroun and the Sea of Stories or Throne of the Crescent Moon. Both look good, so I might read both. I'm going to wait until I've finished the edition of Arabian Nights I have at home first though, which I'm reading at a snail's pace, so it will probably be the 2nd half of the year before I get to the reading based on Arabian Nights.

Jalilah wrote: "Melanti wrote: "Has anyone read Alif the Unseen yet? It looks like it might have some 1001 Arabian Nights connections... I'm wondering what story (if any!)"

Alif the Unseen is on ..."
The summary made me think there was a very slight possibility. It does seem like more UF and thriller than retelling though.

Margaret wrote: "I can't decide whether to read Haroun and the Sea of StoriesHaroun and the Sea of Stories or Throne of the Crescent Moon. ..."
Never read the second book but I loved Haroun and the Sea of Stories. It's just a fun kids' story one one level, but on another level it's a long allegory on the importance of free speech. And some jokes that are funny for adults that the kids just won't get/care about. Lots of fun and definitely more approachable than his books for adults.

This might be a silly question, but I'll go ahead and ask it:
do group reads, both in this group as well as group reads from other groups count in a challenge?
This is my first one, so I've been wondering.

I always have counted them. Don't see any reason not to.

I also count group reads in reading challenges.

Okay good to know! I am reading Persian Folk and Fairy Tales for another group, so that can count as a Non-European Fairy- Folk tales and both Daughter of the Forest and Fitcher's Brides would count as an Adult Endicott Fairy Tale re-tellings. There are so many Endicott Mythic Fiction books I want to read.
I still gave not decided on a Greek-Roman Myth and a retelling. Aldo not sure about Urban Legends.

Alicia wrote: "Troll: A Love Story was written in present tense, and thus rather disappointing. I gave it 3 stars.

I've now read some mythology online for tales of Eris, one of them at http://magic..."


Troll has been on my to read list for awhile now. Why exactly did you not like it? Although there are some books on the Mythic Fiction list that I truly loved for example (Someplace to Be Flying, The House of the Spirits Bear Daughter ,there were others I was not particularly impressed with like Spirits of the Ordinary: A Tale of Casas Grandes,The Moon's Wife and Human Croquet.

Alicia wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Troll has been on my to read list for awhile now. Why exactly did you not like it?"

It's purely my inability to sink into a story written in present tense. It just doesn't work for..."

Interesting Alicia! We all have our reading quirks! Mine is I can't get into a story that is in a made up universe. It has to be in our world for me to get pulled in. That leaves a lot of Fantasy that I can't read!

Alicia wrote: "Troll: A Love Story was written in present tense, and thus rather disappointing. I gave it 3 stars..."

Present tense, up until about 18 months ago, used to have the same effect on me, too. But nowadays it seems impossible to avoid. I've found it can be done well: you know when that happens because you don't at first notice it's in present tense.

For challenge progress I have completed my selection for:

#1 Endicott YA Fairy Tale: The Magic Circle
#2 Endicott Adult Fairy Tale: Fitcher's Brides
#3 Endicott Mythic Fiction: Sexing the Cherry
#4 Original Myth: Apuleius | Greeka.com | Analysis 1 | Analysis 2
#5 Modern retelling of #4: Psyche in a Dress
#6 Fractured Fairy Tales: The Glass Casket
#7 Unfamiliar tales Arabian Nights: SKIPPED for 2014
#8 Urban Legends: by N.E. Genge; by Brandon Toropov; by Albert Jack; by Gail de Vos
#9 Arthurian legend: The Sword in the Stone
#10 Non-European collection: The Chinese Fairy Book
#11 Unfamiliar fairy tale: "Petrosinella" and "Persinette"
#12 A retelling of #11: Bitter Greens

Alicia wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Interesting Alicia! We all have our reading quirks! Mine is I can't get into a story that is in a made up universe. It has to be in our world more me to get pulled in. That leaves a..."

Our world with changes, "speculative fiction" "alternative history" I like.
Or for example books like Beauty by Robin McKinley where it is unclear where the story takes place. But I guess that is why I prefer Fairy Tales and Mythic fiction over straight Fantasy or Science Fiction!

Leah wrote: "Alicia wrote: "Troll: A Love Story was written in present tense, and thus rather disappointing. I gave it 3 stars..."

Present tense, up until about 18 months ago, used to have the sa..."

How did you like Sexing the Cherry Leah? I ordered from the library and been wanting to read it for ages!

Jalilah wrote: How did you like Sexing the Cherry Leah? I ordered from the library and been wanting to read it for ages!"

I rated it 4 stars, and I expect I'll be thinking about it off and on until I read it again someday. If you'd like to read my review it's here.

Also check out Melanti's review and Chris' review.

I loved Sexing the Cherry but I agree with Leah's review that she's not for everyone. She has a lot of beautiful imagery and phrases, but she's sort of drifty and poetical.

It's more something written with the art of writing in mind than something written for sake of a particular plot or characters. I like that sort of thing once in awhile, but I know not everyone does.

As a bonus, it is set in this world - more or less.

Leah wrote: "Jalilah wrote: How did you like Sexing the Cherry Leah? I ordered from the library and been wanting to read it for ages!"

I rated it 4 stars, and I expect I'll be thinking about it off and on unti..."

Thanks for letting me know! I think I'll skip Sexing the Cherry for the time being. At the moment I am more in the mood for literature that entertains me. And I am sure there are plenty of other Endicott Mythic fiction books that will. I am rather enjoying The Moon's Wife which is also from that list.

Daughter of the Forest will count as my Endicott Adult Fairy Tale retelling and now I am reading Persian Folk and Fairy Tales for my non- European a Folk and Fairy Tale collection. I can recommend it for everyone who has not decided what they'll read.

I also still have not decided which Greek-Roman myth I'll read.

Jalilah wrote: "I think I'll skip Sexing the Cherry for the time being. At the moment I am more in the mood for literature that entertains me..."

In that case, Jalilah, skipping for now is your best bet. I will wait until at least next year to read another Winterson for the same reason. Now I'm ready to dig into some lighter, fun reads. :D

Oooh, I just found out that they FINALLY released a Kindle version of The Heavenly Fox by Richard Parks.

I try to read all/most of the Mythopoeic nominees and it's always bugged me that I couldn't get this one because it was so rare.

Parks does a lot of fairy tale/folk tale related work, so I'm really hoping he measures up to my expectations.

Melanti wrote: "Oooh, I just found out that they FINALLY released a Kindle version of The Heavenly Fox by Richard Parks.

I try to read all/most of the Mythopoeic nominees and it's always bugged me..."

I bought that one as well! Last month I think, but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. It's been on my TBR list for a while.

Chris recommended Wolves and Witches a while ago for a fractured fairy tale, and I saw today it was on sale for 2.99, so I thought I'd share in case anyone else wants to give it a try. I read a couple of her short stories and really liked them. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B...

Have any of you selected a Greek-Roman Myth and a re-telling of that myth yet? I can't make up my mind!

Margaret wrote: "Chris recommended Wolves and Witches a while ago for a fractured fairy tale, and I saw today it was on sale for 2.99, so I thought I'd share in case anyone else wants to give it a t..."

Thanks, I'll try that one!

Jalilah wrote: "Have any of you selected a Greek-Roman Myth and a re-telling of that myth yet? I can't make up my mind!"

I have absolutely no clue at all! I did pick up the first volume of Fables this morning though, for the Fractured Fairy Tales category. Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile

I'm narrowing mine down, does that count? :D

I'll post the couple I found over in our Greek and Roman Myths thread.

Alicia wrote: "I finished Eris, don't recommend it. I'm now deciding on a fractured fairy tale. Suggestions are welcome!"

I see you're reading Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West right now and that definitely counts as a fractured tale from what I've heard about it!

I see The Grimm Legacy on your TBR and that would fit somewhat as well, though I only gave it 3 stars so I can't recommend it wholeheartedly...

I adore Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories (reprinted in Burning Your Boats: The Collected Short Stories) and it basically started the whole thing.

If you like graphic novels (or at least want to give them a try), I keep hearing the Fables series by by Bill Willingham is good. The first one is Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile. I'm not actually a big graphic novel fan myself, but I'm planning trying it anyway... Maybe it'll surprise me!

Hm.
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom was a fun, absurd read. I've also heard The Stepsister Scheme is a lot of fun.

TV Tropes has a huge page on fractured tales with lots of examples - both film and books, so for all who're interested:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...

I just started The Squire's Tale by Gerald Morris for the King Arthur category...

It's quite funny as you can probably tell from the cover! I thought it was going to be a generic King Arthur story, but it's actually a retelling of a specific episode - Gawain's quest for the white hare - told from his squire's point of view. It looks like book 2 in the series is Gawain and the Green Knight.

Alicia wrote: "I finished Eris, don't recommend it. I'm now deciding on a fractured fairy tale. Suggestions are welcome!"

Wicked is definitely a fractured fairy tale! I really loved that one, though Son of a Witch disappointed me (though some of my friends like it better than Wicked).

I also recommend Six-Gun Snow White.

Hi everyone.

I'm just joining the challenge and have spent some time searching books to read and discovered I already have some of the boxes checked:) I'd actually have a few more if I could count a couple books read before 2014-).

Recently, I listened to an audiobook of King Arthur. I also listened to Thumbelina and was really surprised at the time that I had never known the story because the title was certainly well known to me. I had always thought of her more as a fairy like Tinkerbell.

Today, I just finished The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. That checks box # 5, now I just have to go back and read about a few Greek gods!

Margaret wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I finished Eris, don't recommend it. I'm now deciding on a fractured fairy tale. Suggestions ."I also recommend Six-Gun Snow White.


Since I could not make it though all of The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories(read about half the stories), I feel like I still want to read some other fractured fairy tales. I have not read Catherynne M. Valente yet. Would Six-Gun Snow White be a good places to start?

Jalilah wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Alicia wrote: "I finished Eris, don't recommend it. I'm now deciding on a fractured fairy tale. Suggestions ."I also recommend Six-Gun Snow White.


Since I could ..."

I think so! It's a western re-telling of Snow White (you probably gathered that). I think it's a great place to start with her.