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To Spin a Darker Stair
Forget everything you think you know about fairytales…
64 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
440 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 31, 2013
To Spin a Darker Stair is a collection of two short stories, the first is a reprint of Catherynne M Valente’s, A Delicate Architecture and an original short, Oracle’s Tower, by Australian author Faith Mudge. The cover and and internal illustrations are by Kathleen Jennings (who was interviewed by Galactic Chat here).
I was lucky enough to get the book for $5 during Fablecroft’s World Fantasy Awards special offer – Kathleen Jennings has been nominated for her work across a number of projects, including many local and international small presses and Fablecroft have been an active supporter of her work. You should still be able to get it at the all inclusive price here.
The two stories are fairytale inversions or alternates, a growing fave genre of mine. I like works that examine the often simplistic, often conservative morals of fairytales and either examine and reinterpret them or show the other side of the story.
A Delicate Architecture is the first Valente I have read and the writing is as good as I would expect it to be from her reputation. The writing is rich and poetic which suits the subject matter of the story perfectly – a girl purportedly made from confectionary seeks the glamour of the Imperial capital. This story is heartbreaking.
Oracle’s Tower, while less consciously rich in its prose manages to create a beautiful fairytale ambience. It feels more consciously fairytale like to me. Valente charms you with her command of language. Mudge rearranges the fairytale building blocks and tropes so that the work has a familiarity but the reader is not sure where they are being led. I don’t want to say much more about the stories themselves. I had no knowledge of the fairytales they were to riff off beforehand and I think a clean reading approach to the stories is the best way to experience them.
Thematically the stories fit well together and I appreciate the effort Fablecroft went to create this book. They can’t be making too much on this offer and yet we get a very rich deal in the bargain -Valente, Mudge and Jennings in a bound book for less than the coffee and croissant you could enjoy while finishing it.
If you like fairytale retellings and you want to see two skilful proponents with different approaches and styles I think you’ll like it.
December 16, 2015
Firstly: oh my goodness look how CUTE this is! Seriously, this itty bitty 50-odd page bookling is so cute. Does this count as a chapbook? I don't know the official definition of chapbook, but part of me thinks this should be one, while part of me thinks no! Chaps won't read this! This is a ladybook, or a dreamerbook, or something.
Yes, well. Anyway.
This delightful product, whatever it is, comprises two short stories that riff off different fairy tales. Catherynne M Valente's "A Delicate Architecture" is the first, and I know I read it in Troll's Eye View but my memory is bad enough that I had forgotten the kinks in the tale. Which was good and bad, since it got to break my heart all over again. This is Valente at her best, spinning an impossible and impossibly beautiful story about a girl and her confectioner father and the dark dark things that can be done in the name of hunger (in all its many variations). This story is complemented by Faith Mudge and "Oracle's Tower." While it wasn't clear to me which fairy tale was being meddled with by Valente until very near the end, it's clear relatively early on who Mudge is playing with. This does not, of course, prevent the story from working in dark and sometimes sinister ways. This is not a nice story. It is very clever, though, and very nicely told.
Both of the stories are given that extra something by the illustrations of Kathleen Jennings. The front and back covers are hers, and within there are four more pictures of the women featured in the stories. They're line sketches (... I am no artist, so forgive me if I get the terminology wrong), and they are delightful and beautiful and add a great deal to the overall feel of the package.
Also? my copy came wrapped as a present. That definitely adds to its specialness.
Full disclosure: I am friends with Tehani Wessely, owner/editor of Fablecroft.
Yes, well. Anyway.
This delightful product, whatever it is, comprises two short stories that riff off different fairy tales. Catherynne M Valente's "A Delicate Architecture" is the first, and I know I read it in Troll's Eye View but my memory is bad enough that I had forgotten the kinks in the tale. Which was good and bad, since it got to break my heart all over again. This is Valente at her best, spinning an impossible and impossibly beautiful story about a girl and her confectioner father and the dark dark things that can be done in the name of hunger (in all its many variations). This story is complemented by Faith Mudge and "Oracle's Tower." While it wasn't clear to me which fairy tale was being meddled with by Valente until very near the end, it's clear relatively early on who Mudge is playing with. This does not, of course, prevent the story from working in dark and sometimes sinister ways. This is not a nice story. It is very clever, though, and very nicely told.
Both of the stories are given that extra something by the illustrations of Kathleen Jennings. The front and back covers are hers, and within there are four more pictures of the women featured in the stories. They're line sketches (... I am no artist, so forgive me if I get the terminology wrong), and they are delightful and beautiful and add a great deal to the overall feel of the package.
Also? my copy came wrapped as a present. That definitely adds to its specialness.
Full disclosure: I am friends with Tehani Wessely, owner/editor of Fablecroft.
April 11, 2012
Very beautiful, if only it were longer!
August 17, 2019
A lovely pair of dark fairy tales.
September 25, 2013
To Spin a Darker Stair is a chapbook published by FableCroft Publishing and edited by Tehani Wessley. It contains two short stories, one each by Australian author Faith Mudge and well-know US author Catherynne M Valente, and gorgeous illustrations by Kathleen Jennings. Both stories are fairytale retellings with a sinister twist.
The first story is "A Delicate Architecture" by Catherynne M Valente. From what I've read of Valente in the past (about half of Palimpsest and maybe a short story or two), I've found her to be on the borderline of the kind of stories I enjoy. For example, I found Palimpsest a bit too literary for my liking. "A Delicate Architecture", on the other hand, was on the right side of the scale for me to enjoy. Valente deftly crafts a story about a girl with an unusual upbringing. It's surreal in the way that some fairytales are, but it's lovely. The ending made me happy, and I appreciated the foreshadowing leading up to it, evident only in retrospect. I was not, as I read, trying to guess which fairytale was being retold which I think augmented the reveal.
The other story is "The Oracle's Tower" by Faith Mudge. I had only read one other story by Mudge, which appeared in One Small Step, so she is a fairly new author to me (as well as fairly new generally, I gather). "The Oracle's Tower" is a different sort of fairytale. (The start put me in mind of some of Rowling's Tales of Beedle the Bard, interpret that as you will.) The choice of main character, giving voice to a character marginalised in the traditional telling, allows Mudge to put a very different spin on the tale. The original story isn't exactly cheery, so I found Mudge's darker retelling particularly haunting. I will certainly be keeping an eye on Mudge's future output.
To Spin a Darker Stair is a very thin volume that punches above its weight class. I recommend it to fans of fairytale retellings, especially those looking for a quick read. This volume is quite different to other things FableCroft have released and it will be interesting to see what other innovative projects they come up with in the future.
4.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
The first story is "A Delicate Architecture" by Catherynne M Valente. From what I've read of Valente in the past (about half of Palimpsest and maybe a short story or two), I've found her to be on the borderline of the kind of stories I enjoy. For example, I found Palimpsest a bit too literary for my liking. "A Delicate Architecture", on the other hand, was on the right side of the scale for me to enjoy. Valente deftly crafts a story about a girl with an unusual upbringing. It's surreal in the way that some fairytales are, but it's lovely. The ending made me happy, and I appreciated the foreshadowing leading up to it, evident only in retrospect. I was not, as I read, trying to guess which fairytale was being retold which I think augmented the reveal.
The other story is "The Oracle's Tower" by Faith Mudge. I had only read one other story by Mudge, which appeared in One Small Step, so she is a fairly new author to me (as well as fairly new generally, I gather). "The Oracle's Tower" is a different sort of fairytale. (The start put me in mind of some of Rowling's Tales of Beedle the Bard, interpret that as you will.) The choice of main character, giving voice to a character marginalised in the traditional telling, allows Mudge to put a very different spin on the tale. The original story isn't exactly cheery, so I found Mudge's darker retelling particularly haunting. I will certainly be keeping an eye on Mudge's future output.
To Spin a Darker Stair is a very thin volume that punches above its weight class. I recommend it to fans of fairytale retellings, especially those looking for a quick read. This volume is quite different to other things FableCroft have released and it will be interesting to see what other innovative projects they come up with in the future.
4.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
May 1, 2012
To Spin a Darker Stair was a very interesting,clever and well written book. It consists of two different stories by two different authors. The first story, A Delicate Architecture is written by Catherynne M. Valente. The second story, The Oracle's Tower is written by Faith Mudge. While both stories are wonderfully written I preferred The Oracle's Tower over A Delicate Architecture because I fell it holds more relevance with todays readers and could be a completely new story in its own right and not just a retelling. Having said that, A Delicate Architecture is an extremely imaginative back story to one of fairy tales characters that we love to hate. I will not say which because the discovery for me was part of the fun of reading this story. The surprising aspect for me was when I had finished reading this I actually felt pity and sadness for a character I had always associated with hate and fear. The Oracle's Tower is written in the style of many of the popular fantasy childrens books that are on the shelves today. I loved this story and my only complaint is that I wished it had been longer! This is a story that I feel could be developed into a whole new creation in its own right. Just a fantastic little story all around! There is one more suggestion that I have when you are reading A Delicate Architecture and that is not to form a definite opinion right away. I say this because the more I think about this story, the more I appreciate its complexity and depth. I feel that there are many layers to this story that I will begin to understand and appreciate the longer I think on it! I am happy to have received this book through Goodreads First Reads! I have had the privelege to read the creative thoughts of two very talented authors that I might other wise never have had the opportunity to read! Thanks Goodreads!
January 27, 2014
To Spin A Darker Stair is a short chapbook that pairs two fairytale reworkings: "A Delicate Architecture" by Catherynne M Valente and "The Oracle's Tower" by Faith Mudge. Valente's story is a reprint, picked specifically to complement the story by Mudge.
Thematically, the stories are well-matched. Both carry a strong fairytale atmosphere and give the reader a sense that anything is possible. Both have a similar angle on their protagonist.
However, this similarity is a double-edged sword. "A Delicate Architecture" is a wonderfully deft tale, full of rich detail. Pairing it with "The Oracle's Tower" serves to highlight the flaws in the latter--flaws that may have perhaps been overlooked if paired with a more contrasting story.
For example, "A Delicate Architecture" simply launches into the tale, drawing the reader along with a strikingly unique situation. "The Oracle's Tower", in contrast, follows a worn path wherein the narrator urges the reader to listen to her tale in a somewhat clumsy attempt to impart a sense of wisdom and urgency. This approach always tends to backfire a little for me; I rarely like being told what to do. The ending was likewise framed, setting out a possible conclusion to the story without being at all satisfying. It came across as a writer's frantic attempt to wrap up the tale before the word count blew out.
Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Being only 51 pages, it is the perfect travel book and I devoured the whole lot in a single bus trip. The illustrations and cover art by Kathleen Jennings beautifully ties the stories together.
Thematically, the stories are well-matched. Both carry a strong fairytale atmosphere and give the reader a sense that anything is possible. Both have a similar angle on their protagonist.
However, this similarity is a double-edged sword. "A Delicate Architecture" is a wonderfully deft tale, full of rich detail. Pairing it with "The Oracle's Tower" serves to highlight the flaws in the latter--flaws that may have perhaps been overlooked if paired with a more contrasting story.
For example, "A Delicate Architecture" simply launches into the tale, drawing the reader along with a strikingly unique situation. "The Oracle's Tower", in contrast, follows a worn path wherein the narrator urges the reader to listen to her tale in a somewhat clumsy attempt to impart a sense of wisdom and urgency. This approach always tends to backfire a little for me; I rarely like being told what to do. The ending was likewise framed, setting out a possible conclusion to the story without being at all satisfying. It came across as a writer's frantic attempt to wrap up the tale before the word count blew out.
Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Being only 51 pages, it is the perfect travel book and I devoured the whole lot in a single bus trip. The illustrations and cover art by Kathleen Jennings beautifully ties the stories together.
February 6, 2016
I received this bookling for Christmas and read it in two sittings (deliberately, to space it out). I'm probably a bit slow but it took me a while to twig at the fairytale behind A Delicate Architecture, but once I did it left me with a most delightful feeling of satisfaction. A beautiful, well-crafted story.
I just finished Oracle's Tower so it's still fresh in my mind. I enjoyed the original take on Rapunzel, though I think I felt a tiny bit let down by the ending.
The artwork is stunning and the font is quite large which makes it easy to read. A lovely way to sit and spend some time.
I just finished Oracle's Tower so it's still fresh in my mind. I enjoyed the original take on Rapunzel, though I think I felt a tiny bit let down by the ending.
The artwork is stunning and the font is quite large which makes it easy to read. A lovely way to sit and spend some time.
May 8, 2012
I'm sorry that I didn't realize the Valente tale was a reprint but it's a fantastic retelling in any case and I was happy to read it again. It's made up of so many of the things I really love about Valente's work. I enjoyed the Mudge story too but it didn't strike me as especially memorable and I was a little confused as to why these two stories in particular were paired. I agree with the reviewers that said a third story at least might have made this seem like a more complete offering?
October 27, 2014
So I ended up with this book because it was part of the Pozible (Australian Kickstarter) rewards for "Cranky Women of History" and I actually kicked up my donation in order to receive this chapbook with a Cat Valente story.
Both stories were lovely, both were brilliant subversions, both were stories written by writers who know how to do things with language that make intricate cathedrals look simple and complicated embroideries seem tame. They overwhelm you with words in the best possible way.
Both stories were lovely, both were brilliant subversions, both were stories written by writers who know how to do things with language that make intricate cathedrals look simple and complicated embroideries seem tame. They overwhelm you with words in the best possible way.
May 14, 2012
What an amazing little book! A great twist on classic fairytales, but that does not destroy the classic fairytales. Great illustrations, too, as they make you think about the stories in more vivid detail (although the descriptions are amazing as well!).
October 7, 2014
Having finally got around to reading this, I absolutely loved it. Two beautiful, gorgeous stories; weaving the somewhat more sympathetic than expected backstories of two famous fairytale villainesses.
April 18, 2012
A short book containing two stories inspired by fairy tales. The first, A delicate Architecture by Catherynne Valente, is a prequel of sorts while the second, Oracle's Tower by Faith Mudge, is a darker retelling. Though neither is particularly hard to guess, I won't say which fairy tale is the inspiration for either, as the discovery is part of the pleasure of reading.
The Valente story is just exquisite. Not only it turns the original story into a tragedy, it could also be a completely new fairy tale in itself.
The Mudge has a nice idea but for some reason the execution feels flawed. Maybe it's the way the narrator talks, maybe it's that it follows the original story almost step by step, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much.
Both stories are illustrated by Kathleen Jennings's simple but incisive artwork.
I feel the book's main weakness is in the fact that there isn't enough contrast between the pieces; a third or fourth story in the same vein would've given more substance and vision to the book.
As it is, it makes for nice reading but feels more like an appetizer rather than a whole meal.
The Valente story is just exquisite. Not only it turns the original story into a tragedy, it could also be a completely new fairy tale in itself.
The Mudge has a nice idea but for some reason the execution feels flawed. Maybe it's the way the narrator talks, maybe it's that it follows the original story almost step by step, but I didn't enjoy it quite as much.
Both stories are illustrated by Kathleen Jennings's simple but incisive artwork.
I feel the book's main weakness is in the fact that there isn't enough contrast between the pieces; a third or fourth story in the same vein would've given more substance and vision to the book.
As it is, it makes for nice reading but feels more like an appetizer rather than a whole meal.
May 22, 2016
Sweet, short, bitter and a little twisted. Stunning.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews