What do you think?
Rate this book
Grim Fairy Tales
Ten haunting tales of the ghostly, decadent, and supernatural by Adam Nicke, author of Temptation and Denial.
Written in the style of late 19th century masters of the macabre, each weirdly twisting tale is haunted by characters confronting their inner turmoil and the dark recesses of the soul.
Escape the modern age and let the lush, sensuous language within these pages wash over you as gently as the crimson hues of twilight on an early Autumn evening.
Cult collection back in print after 22 years. Best read by candlelight.
Written in the style of late 19th century masters of the macabre, each weirdly twisting tale is haunted by characters confronting their inner turmoil and the dark recesses of the soul.
Escape the modern age and let the lush, sensuous language within these pages wash over you as gently as the crimson hues of twilight on an early Autumn evening.
Cult collection back in print after 22 years. Best read by candlelight.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
26 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Adam Nicke
5 books71 followersAdam Nicke was born and raised in South Wales and has resided in the small border town of Chepstow since he was a teenager.
He graduated from the University of the West of England in 1995 with a BA (Hons) in Literary Studies, the same year the first edition of his Grim Fairy Tales was published.
Fate took a nasty turn in the following years until finally, in 2015, Adam Nicke collapsed with what was subsequently diagnosed as a tennis ball-sized brain tumour. Mary Shelley died of a brain tumour and new research has posited that Edgar Allan Poe may have died of one.
His Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories, ten haunting tales of the ghostly, decadent, and supernatural. This is how the poet Paul Verlaine defined decadence after critics used the term disparagingly to describe the Symbolist school of writers:
His Temptation and Denial is set in the Georgian era and is a ghostly tale of immortal love, a love that transcends physical death; the character of Sebastian in this work is very much a Byronic Hero, inspired by Lord Macauley's description of such a protagonist:
His Mallard the Quack is an anarchic comedy set in an 18th-century quack doctors' practice in Wales and has topped Goodreads' list of anti-Trump books for over two years! Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of fairground sideshows, resurrectionists, quack doctors, medieval superstitions … and haunted furniture!
His Immortal Seduction is a steamy, supernatural tale of love, lust, reincarnation, immortality, time slips back to the year 1891, and passionate encounters in the seemingly abandoned woodland apothecary shop of the immortal occultist Lucius d'Orléans. Suitable for broad-minded adults only.
Adam Nicke's Facebook author page and its two spinoff groups have over 650,000 followers. He is also a vegan.
He graduated from the University of the West of England in 1995 with a BA (Hons) in Literary Studies, the same year the first edition of his Grim Fairy Tales was published.
Fate took a nasty turn in the following years until finally, in 2015, Adam Nicke collapsed with what was subsequently diagnosed as a tennis ball-sized brain tumour. Mary Shelley died of a brain tumour and new research has posited that Edgar Allan Poe may have died of one.
His Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories, ten haunting tales of the ghostly, decadent, and supernatural. This is how the poet Paul Verlaine defined decadence after critics used the term disparagingly to describe the Symbolist school of writers:
"I love this word decadence, all shimmering in purple and gold. It suggests the subtle thoughts of ultimate civilization, a high literary culture, a soul capable of intense pleasures. It throws off bursts of fire and the sparkle of precious stones. It is redolent of the rouge of courtesans, the games of the circus, the panting of the gladiators, the spring of wild beasts, the consuming in flames of races exhausted by their capacity for sensation, as the tramp of an invading army sounds". - Paul Verlaine
His Temptation and Denial is set in the Georgian era and is a ghostly tale of immortal love, a love that transcends physical death; the character of Sebastian in this work is very much a Byronic Hero, inspired by Lord Macauley's description of such a protagonist:
“… a man proud, moody, cynical, with defiance on his brow, and misery in his heart, a scorner of his kind, implacable in revenge, yet capable of deep and strong affection.”
His Mallard the Quack is an anarchic comedy set in an 18th-century quack doctors' practice in Wales and has topped Goodreads' list of anti-Trump books for over two years! Mallard the Quack plunges the reader into the world of fairground sideshows, resurrectionists, quack doctors, medieval superstitions … and haunted furniture!
His Immortal Seduction is a steamy, supernatural tale of love, lust, reincarnation, immortality, time slips back to the year 1891, and passionate encounters in the seemingly abandoned woodland apothecary shop of the immortal occultist Lucius d'Orléans. Suitable for broad-minded adults only.
Adam Nicke's Facebook author page and its two spinoff groups have over 650,000 followers. He is also a vegan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 19, 2021
Simple word game. Check out this word list: dark, Gothic, atmospheric, creepy, weird, twisted. If at least four of them appeal to you, you have a strong reason to go for this book.
Let’s try another game. Do you like short stories where:
(a) the plot goes from point A to point B to point C in a straightforward and predictable manner?
(b) the plot is more of a slice of life recounting than a progressive narration?
(c) a surface-level read doesn’t suffice and you need to delve deep into the lines to understand what’s happening?
(d) Where the ending will leave you feeling “What the heck did I just read?”
If your answer is anything but (a), you have one more strong reason to go for this book.
Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of ten dark Gothic stories. All the stories are set in the Victorian era and that time period adds to the creepiness of the tales. Quite like the original Grimm Brothers tales, these convert the mundane into the extraordinary. Every story is mind-boggling, in the sense that it will not leave you even after you complete it. You will find yourself introspecting over the thoughts, words, and actions of the characters, over the abrupt ending, over the purpose of the story. (This last point sounds bad but is good! Consider it an existentialist way of understanding the short variant of storytelling.)
You will not find any typical or even likeable characters in this collection. The entire collection is strongly hinged on atmosphere and plot. The author has a background in philosophy and it shows in his writing as every protagonist seems to have a deeper personality than what is revealed through the words.
Of the ten stories, my favourite was The Sins of the Fathers. How I loved the twist created by the time slip! Some other tales that I relished were The Lake, On a Clear Day, A Thing of Beauty is a Joy to Behold (Was this a variation of Kafka’s Metamorphosis?), A Day in the Life of Abraham Marainein, How my Father Taught Me to Hate Myself (that ending blew my mind!), From the Blood of Innocence and In a Perfect World. That’s 8 stories out of 10. Hence 4 stars. The remaining two stories were a bit too abstruse for me.
Linguists will rejoice in the vocabulary and writing flourishes of the author. Every sentence is constructed beautifully. In some cases though, I felt that he went overboard with the use of adjectives and similes. But this is a trivial issue when viewed against the overall writing standard. His writing seems to have a distinct, almost unique style. A special 0.25 stars for the writing.
One mistake I made was to opt for the Audible version of this book. Though the narrator was outstanding (Full marks to his performance!), the stories are such that I felt like going back a few pages and rereading. Unfortunately, in the audio version, this meant that I was stuck rewinding the audio until I could make sense of the twist. Furthermore, the other reviews show that the printed copy is illustrated as well. Hence I think this book will provide a better reading experience if read than heard.
For those interested, the book is available for free to KU subscribers. If you want a thinking person's short stories rather than the tried-and-tested, check out this book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
Let’s try another game. Do you like short stories where:
(a) the plot goes from point A to point B to point C in a straightforward and predictable manner?
(b) the plot is more of a slice of life recounting than a progressive narration?
(c) a surface-level read doesn’t suffice and you need to delve deep into the lines to understand what’s happening?
(d) Where the ending will leave you feeling “What the heck did I just read?”
If your answer is anything but (a), you have one more strong reason to go for this book.
Grim Fairy Tales is a collection of ten dark Gothic stories. All the stories are set in the Victorian era and that time period adds to the creepiness of the tales. Quite like the original Grimm Brothers tales, these convert the mundane into the extraordinary. Every story is mind-boggling, in the sense that it will not leave you even after you complete it. You will find yourself introspecting over the thoughts, words, and actions of the characters, over the abrupt ending, over the purpose of the story. (This last point sounds bad but is good! Consider it an existentialist way of understanding the short variant of storytelling.)
You will not find any typical or even likeable characters in this collection. The entire collection is strongly hinged on atmosphere and plot. The author has a background in philosophy and it shows in his writing as every protagonist seems to have a deeper personality than what is revealed through the words.
Of the ten stories, my favourite was The Sins of the Fathers. How I loved the twist created by the time slip! Some other tales that I relished were The Lake, On a Clear Day, A Thing of Beauty is a Joy to Behold (Was this a variation of Kafka’s Metamorphosis?), A Day in the Life of Abraham Marainein, How my Father Taught Me to Hate Myself (that ending blew my mind!), From the Blood of Innocence and In a Perfect World. That’s 8 stories out of 10. Hence 4 stars. The remaining two stories were a bit too abstruse for me.
Linguists will rejoice in the vocabulary and writing flourishes of the author. Every sentence is constructed beautifully. In some cases though, I felt that he went overboard with the use of adjectives and similes. But this is a trivial issue when viewed against the overall writing standard. His writing seems to have a distinct, almost unique style. A special 0.25 stars for the writing.
One mistake I made was to opt for the Audible version of this book. Though the narrator was outstanding (Full marks to his performance!), the stories are such that I felt like going back a few pages and rereading. Unfortunately, in the audio version, this meant that I was stuck rewinding the audio until I could make sense of the twist. Furthermore, the other reviews show that the printed copy is illustrated as well. Hence I think this book will provide a better reading experience if read than heard.
For those interested, the book is available for free to KU subscribers. If you want a thinking person's short stories rather than the tried-and-tested, check out this book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
June 4, 2018
Good book
The stories all had underlying story threads within the overall narrative. I liked the different type fonts used in each story as well; making each story look like a separate book.
The stories all had underlying story threads within the overall narrative. I liked the different type fonts used in each story as well; making each story look like a separate book.
September 8, 2021
When the author gave me a copy of this book, he reckoned I could easily read it in an hour or two. No way! It was like being given a box of Belgian chocolates – they taste delicious, but if you eat them all in one sitting, it is just too much. Likewise, these short stories are full of opulent, baroque imagery, death and moral ambiguity, and characters that are often more repellent than sympathetic. I kept thinking of jewel encrusted black velvet, violent storms, desolation … this is Gothic to the max, an English ‘Sturm and Drang’, with oodles of ‘Weltschmerz’. For my sanity, I had to ration myself to one story a day.
The stories are sometimes narrated in the first person, sometimes in the third. They are set in a (very dark) 19th century world. In all the main protagonist is male – generally young and disaffected. None are happy – and when happiness does dare to strike, it is shut down unmercifully.
The exception to this – and my favourite – is the first story: ‘The Jewellery Box’. An old man goes through his jewellery box of precious stones, each stone reminding him of some aspect of his dead wife, Ophelia. It is like a sacred ritual, a prayer with the jewels becoming rosary beads. This is the only story in the book without a nasty twist at the end. Just a beautifully written ode to a long-lost love.
The writing is quite sumptuous throughout, and the imagery really vivid – sometimes too vivid, and you recoil in horror. Some of the stories I found just a bit too horrific/evil, such as ‘A Day in the Life of Abraham Marainein’ and ‘How my Father Taught Me to Hate Myself’ – but they are true to the gothic genre.
Some quotes which give you a taste of the writing:
Yes, it is over-the-top, but it fits the gothic genre perfectly. I am not a great fan of gothic tales, but I did enjoy (most) of this book. It is well worth a read – and if you are a gothic fan – it is a must.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.
The stories are sometimes narrated in the first person, sometimes in the third. They are set in a (very dark) 19th century world. In all the main protagonist is male – generally young and disaffected. None are happy – and when happiness does dare to strike, it is shut down unmercifully.
The exception to this – and my favourite – is the first story: ‘The Jewellery Box’. An old man goes through his jewellery box of precious stones, each stone reminding him of some aspect of his dead wife, Ophelia. It is like a sacred ritual, a prayer with the jewels becoming rosary beads. This is the only story in the book without a nasty twist at the end. Just a beautifully written ode to a long-lost love.
The writing is quite sumptuous throughout, and the imagery really vivid – sometimes too vivid, and you recoil in horror. Some of the stories I found just a bit too horrific/evil, such as ‘A Day in the Life of Abraham Marainein’ and ‘How my Father Taught Me to Hate Myself’ – but they are true to the gothic genre.
Some quotes which give you a taste of the writing:
“The old house had lain empty for many years. Like an aged Dickensian spinster, it seemed to have relinquished any claim to the present, and by simply doing nothing had become an anachronism.”
“What to do, what to do? Flee now, or stay and have all the evils of body and circumstances turn to bare slavering teeth on his flesh and sinews?”
…“The immortality of those canvases contrasted so sharply with the transience of his fading youth. How he longed to escape to another time, another place, where the amaranth of his lost adolescence would bloom once again.”
“He went out to observe; often he went out simply to make his superior presence known. … but like those addicted to the Gothic novel, he sought the sublime experience through terror.”
“The cool green grass beneath my feet shone, as each heavy blade stood crowned with a heavy dewdrop suspended in eternal animation like a glutinous gem”
Yes, it is over-the-top, but it fits the gothic genre perfectly. I am not a great fan of gothic tales, but I did enjoy (most) of this book. It is well worth a read – and if you are a gothic fan – it is a must.
I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the author.
May 19, 2019
This is a absolutely awsome book, I enjoyed every page, And it's in my top 10 books , also I have recommended it to all my friends and family. Carnt wait to get more books by Adam Nickes.
August 23, 2017
Review - Grim Fairy Tales, 2nd Edition Print Version
I originally review this book in 1995, back when I published a newsletter called VRI NEWS (full text of that review is below). I was delighted to learn of a second edition and promptly bought myself a new copy.
The most important thing you should know about this book, is that in this day and age of Kindle books and impermanent literature, this book is well worth owning in printed book form. The trade paperback size is small and light, the paper of the 146 pages has a pleasing texture, the smooth, almost velvety, matt cover is an aged and burnt-orange color version of the original black and white cover, and the fonts suit well the mood of the entire collection of classic gothic stories.
The physical form of this book is great for those moments when you wish to slip away from the humdrum, and instead experience the sublime – preferably by candlelight and with a goblet of dark red. At this price this book is also a great gift for friends!
---
Original review:
Very rarely does one come across fiction works that make you stop and think, or even stories that are written with such obvious passion.
Such is the case with Grim Fairy Tales, a collection of short stories by Adam Nicke. The book is billed as Gothic/Fantasy/Horror, a short but amazing 57 pages, replete with illustrations from the very talented Jocelyn Almond.
Although I don’t normally review books in VRI NEWS that aren’t at least 50% vampire related, this book transcends the rule. There is one story that is specifically about vampires called “From The Blood of Innocence,” that deals with an interesting couple and their search for the origin and substance of the vampire. Other stories include the hair raising “The Lake” and “How My Father Taught Me To Hate Myself”. Also of note are the thought provoking “A Day In The Life of Abraham Marainein” and “On a Clear Day”. My absolute favorite is “In a Perfect World.”
As a whole each story provides different points of view, and in a twisted kind of way there is a ‘moral’ or message to each work. Finally Nicke’s style of writing is very vivid and touching – I personally hope to read more of his work in the future.
I originally review this book in 1995, back when I published a newsletter called VRI NEWS (full text of that review is below). I was delighted to learn of a second edition and promptly bought myself a new copy.
The most important thing you should know about this book, is that in this day and age of Kindle books and impermanent literature, this book is well worth owning in printed book form. The trade paperback size is small and light, the paper of the 146 pages has a pleasing texture, the smooth, almost velvety, matt cover is an aged and burnt-orange color version of the original black and white cover, and the fonts suit well the mood of the entire collection of classic gothic stories.
The physical form of this book is great for those moments when you wish to slip away from the humdrum, and instead experience the sublime – preferably by candlelight and with a goblet of dark red. At this price this book is also a great gift for friends!
---
Original review:
Very rarely does one come across fiction works that make you stop and think, or even stories that are written with such obvious passion.
Such is the case with Grim Fairy Tales, a collection of short stories by Adam Nicke. The book is billed as Gothic/Fantasy/Horror, a short but amazing 57 pages, replete with illustrations from the very talented Jocelyn Almond.
Although I don’t normally review books in VRI NEWS that aren’t at least 50% vampire related, this book transcends the rule. There is one story that is specifically about vampires called “From The Blood of Innocence,” that deals with an interesting couple and their search for the origin and substance of the vampire. Other stories include the hair raising “The Lake” and “How My Father Taught Me To Hate Myself”. Also of note are the thought provoking “A Day In The Life of Abraham Marainein” and “On a Clear Day”. My absolute favorite is “In a Perfect World.”
As a whole each story provides different points of view, and in a twisted kind of way there is a ‘moral’ or message to each work. Finally Nicke’s style of writing is very vivid and touching – I personally hope to read more of his work in the future.
January 4, 2018
This volume is a must-have for any devotee of gothic literary confection. The illustrations by Jocelyn Almond are exquisite, as well. In addition, I would consider it sine que non for anyone aspiring to a well-rounded private library worth digging into for prosody gems unexpected as the need arises and recurs.
August 2, 2023
Gina Williams Baccigalopi
I finished reading Adam Nicke’s, Grim Fairy Tales and they were delectable!! Some of the endings took my breath away after realizing what had just happened! Adam is a spectacular writer and anyone who buys his collection can read it for themselves and see what I’m talking about! Some of the stories will make you think about what you just read but you will catch on quite quickly!
I finished reading Adam Nicke’s, Grim Fairy Tales and they were delectable!! Some of the endings took my breath away after realizing what had just happened! Adam is a spectacular writer and anyone who buys his collection can read it for themselves and see what I’m talking about! Some of the stories will make you think about what you just read but you will catch on quite quickly!
January 24, 2022
I wont give away the stories in Grim Fairy Tales, but Adam Nicke captures the reader immediately as you start the story. His vivid descriptions are so clear, it is like you are in the story and it ends so amazing, I will re-read the story again to savor every moment of the story again. Great reading and excellent writing. I will be buying more of his books, I enjoy his imagination.
January 21, 2022
I was thoroughly engrossed from the first page to the last… Mr. Nicke has a way with the English language that dives deep into your soul and makes you feel is though you are a part of the story.
Extremely well written, and a great escape from the modern world.
Extremely well written, and a great escape from the modern world.
September 30, 2023
This book is one of the best reads for me. It draws you in as if you are a part of the stores. The way the words flow is so eloquent and I look forward to reading more of Adam Nicke's work. This book will not disappoint.
June 18, 2024
I found this to be a quick read but loved it. This one's a keeper.
October 16, 2024
I love this book! Each story takes you off on a delicious eerie tale, definitely becoming one of my favorite reads!
August 17, 2020
I’d been reading a lot of novels and biographies recently. Feeling a need to return to the short story form, I was attracted to Grim Fairy Tales. This was initially through my fondness of Gothic, in all it’s forms, and my love of Hans Christian Anderson. Of course these could be very tenuous links, but sometimes one just has to take the plunge into something new!
Rather than write a story by story Review, which could prove to be a bit lengthy and maybe even tedious, I shall pick out highlights that stayed with me well after I finished reading. That is not to say those I do not mention are in anyway, diminished by their exclusion.
Adam Nicke writes in a very stylised manner, harking back to a 19th Century approach. It took me a page or two to lock into this style, and was thankful that my Kindle has a built in Dictionary! It works though. It is very heavy on atmosphere, so much so, I could almost ‘smell’ the locations. Then I hit what I would describe as the Lovecraftian tinged - The Lake. It has that kind of cosmic, unreal horror to it, which creeps into the mind rather than attacks full on. For someone who, as a kid was brought up on Herbert van Thaal’s collated - Pan Book of Horror Stories, this was dark nostalgia unleashed.
Blood of the Innocence, has been written about by others and is probably the most directly accessible Story of the collection. Written in letter form, it has everything. A slow building Bram Stoker-ish tale that has a neat turn which I hadn’t seen coming. At this point, for me Grim Tales turned from a 4 Star rating to 5. And still they came. The closing story - In a Perfect World, is wonderfully poignant. It’s reaching for something we have lost, or maybe it never was. It feels like the Author was directly inviting the reader to find that ‘something’. It still echoes within me, and is the perfect way to close this collection of stories and vignettes, which continue resonate beyond the duration of reading. To my mind that is the purpose of any Art no matter what form it takes: to leave a feeling, a trace, a ghost, even.
Briefly, on reflection, these stories seemed to me to exist in one place; a kind of dream world. That would certainly explain the haunted feeling.
Perfect bedtime reading for those who sleep in a candlelit Garret.
Rather than write a story by story Review, which could prove to be a bit lengthy and maybe even tedious, I shall pick out highlights that stayed with me well after I finished reading. That is not to say those I do not mention are in anyway, diminished by their exclusion.
Adam Nicke writes in a very stylised manner, harking back to a 19th Century approach. It took me a page or two to lock into this style, and was thankful that my Kindle has a built in Dictionary! It works though. It is very heavy on atmosphere, so much so, I could almost ‘smell’ the locations. Then I hit what I would describe as the Lovecraftian tinged - The Lake. It has that kind of cosmic, unreal horror to it, which creeps into the mind rather than attacks full on. For someone who, as a kid was brought up on Herbert van Thaal’s collated - Pan Book of Horror Stories, this was dark nostalgia unleashed.
Blood of the Innocence, has been written about by others and is probably the most directly accessible Story of the collection. Written in letter form, it has everything. A slow building Bram Stoker-ish tale that has a neat turn which I hadn’t seen coming. At this point, for me Grim Tales turned from a 4 Star rating to 5. And still they came. The closing story - In a Perfect World, is wonderfully poignant. It’s reaching for something we have lost, or maybe it never was. It feels like the Author was directly inviting the reader to find that ‘something’. It still echoes within me, and is the perfect way to close this collection of stories and vignettes, which continue resonate beyond the duration of reading. To my mind that is the purpose of any Art no matter what form it takes: to leave a feeling, a trace, a ghost, even.
Briefly, on reflection, these stories seemed to me to exist in one place; a kind of dream world. That would certainly explain the haunted feeling.
Perfect bedtime reading for those who sleep in a candlelit Garret.
September 20, 2021
Thank you to Adam Nicke who offered a complimentary audiobook for review even though my Audible account gave us quite a runaround for it. Fiasco aside, I still snagged up a few of his novels on audio so stay tuned for more reviews!
I don't always read short story compilations and one of the reasons is because they are hard for me to rate and review. I want to talk about each story and pick apart all the juicy details involved. We all know that isn't possible unless you want a book sized review. Who would even read that? I also struggle when not all of the stories are exciting for me. So I typically don't add these to my rotation much. However, when Nicke and I connected through Goodreads, I was fully intrigued by Grim Fairy Tales and happily discovered I did not have any of my fears come true.
I had an instant Poe vibe mixed with an almost Lovecraftian prose. The setting takes place in 19th century Victorian era with a deliciously dark atmospheric beauty to the imagery. Honestly, this needs to be printed in a leather bound binding with an embossed cover and yellowed pages. It would look splendid on my shelf. Each story is expertly written; the narration was superb and not only did his voice fit the time period but made my audiobook appreciation shiver in delight as his cadence caressed each story and nudged the characters into a deeper existence. However, you can't highlight your favorite portions and re-read your favorite excerpts without the dreaded rewind. If you're a lover of the graceful writing style of this era you'll want to savor the physical (ebook) copy over audio. For my tight schedule this fit but I'll probably be adding ebook to my collection too.
My favorite story was The Lake. That one haunted me the most and tugged at my phobia of what lurks in water depths all too well. I don't have a least favorite but thanks to audio and my lack of a pen when listening, I didn't get the chance to notate all of the ones that still make me think back. A certain blood-tasting gentleman comes to mind right off the bat. Now I am not a linguist, nor am I gifted in grammar, psychology, the arts or anything culturally significant to expertly rate the authenticity that went into this, but I love the Victorian era, horror, and gothic narratives from that time and this completely checked all my boxes.
All of my thanks to Adam Nicke for bringing his collection to my world. All thoughts are my own and I look forward to indulging in more of his masterful work.
I don't always read short story compilations and one of the reasons is because they are hard for me to rate and review. I want to talk about each story and pick apart all the juicy details involved. We all know that isn't possible unless you want a book sized review. Who would even read that? I also struggle when not all of the stories are exciting for me. So I typically don't add these to my rotation much. However, when Nicke and I connected through Goodreads, I was fully intrigued by Grim Fairy Tales and happily discovered I did not have any of my fears come true.
I had an instant Poe vibe mixed with an almost Lovecraftian prose. The setting takes place in 19th century Victorian era with a deliciously dark atmospheric beauty to the imagery. Honestly, this needs to be printed in a leather bound binding with an embossed cover and yellowed pages. It would look splendid on my shelf. Each story is expertly written; the narration was superb and not only did his voice fit the time period but made my audiobook appreciation shiver in delight as his cadence caressed each story and nudged the characters into a deeper existence. However, you can't highlight your favorite portions and re-read your favorite excerpts without the dreaded rewind. If you're a lover of the graceful writing style of this era you'll want to savor the physical (ebook) copy over audio. For my tight schedule this fit but I'll probably be adding ebook to my collection too.
My favorite story was The Lake. That one haunted me the most and tugged at my phobia of what lurks in water depths all too well. I don't have a least favorite but thanks to audio and my lack of a pen when listening, I didn't get the chance to notate all of the ones that still make me think back. A certain blood-tasting gentleman comes to mind right off the bat. Now I am not a linguist, nor am I gifted in grammar, psychology, the arts or anything culturally significant to expertly rate the authenticity that went into this, but I love the Victorian era, horror, and gothic narratives from that time and this completely checked all my boxes.
All of my thanks to Adam Nicke for bringing his collection to my world. All thoughts are my own and I look forward to indulging in more of his masterful work.
May 22, 2019
Adam Nicke's stories filled my mind with wonderfully intriguing images. I could almost see and feel everything as it was described so eloquently. I have reread this amazing collection of short stories, as a means to re-inspire my own creative endeavors
December 11, 2019
Modern Gothic Shorts
If you want to try gothic stories out but find many of the traditional ones too wordy here is the perfect combination of gothic and short stories! Very high on my recommendation list!
If you want to try gothic stories out but find many of the traditional ones too wordy here is the perfect combination of gothic and short stories! Very high on my recommendation list!
July 26, 2020
Loved this book. Each tale left me wanting to know more about the characters in them.
January 12, 2020
What incredible fairy tales, deliciously grim and macabre, each story had a surprise ending. Highly recommended for anyone (like me) who loves tales of the unexpected!
August 27, 2020
If i could give this book less then 1 star I would!. One of the worse books I've read so far! And I've read alot of crappy books!! Seriously waste of time
March 17, 2024
"Grim Fairy Tales" is a captivating collection that breathes fresh life into classic tales of yore. Nicke's unique storytelling prowess shines through each page, offering readers a delightful twist on familiar narratives. With a perfect blend of darkness and whimsy, this book transports readers to enchanting realms where nothing is quite as it seems.
What truly sets "Grim Fairy Tales" apart is Nicke's ability to infuse these age-old stories with modern relevance. Through clever reinterpretations and imaginative retellings, he tackles timeless themes such as love, loss, and the struggle between good and evil, resonating with readers of all ages.
Each story is a gem in its own right, meticulously crafted with vivid imagery and rich character development. From the haunting forests of "Snow White" to the eerie depths of "The Little Mermaid," Nicke effortlessly captures the essence of each tale while adding his own distinctive flair.
Furthermore, "Grim Fairy Tales" is not just a feast for the imagination; it also serves as a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Through the trials and tribulations of his characters, Nicke invites readers to reflect on the complexities of morality and the power of redemption.
In sum, "Grim Fairy Tales" is a must-read for anyone seeking an enchanting escape into a world where magic and reality collide. Adam Nicke's masterful storytelling will leave you spellbound from beginning to end, proving that even the darkest tales can hold a glimmer of hope.
November 24, 2023
I just finished this book.
I loved the stories. Very well written. This is my second book written by this author. Each story was written with such rich beautiful wording that it made me feel as if I were there inside the the tale experiencing it myself.
I love the cover art and recommend buying the hard back book. It is one you will want to keep in your collection. I'm ready to order my next book👍👍
I loved the stories. Very well written. This is my second book written by this author. Each story was written with such rich beautiful wording that it made me feel as if I were there inside the the tale experiencing it myself.
I love the cover art and recommend buying the hard back book. It is one you will want to keep in your collection. I'm ready to order my next book👍👍
June 20, 2023
I enjoyed the ten stories immensely. The first time I read the book I stayed up all night and read all ten stories. It was a lot to digest some of the stories are a bit dark and haunting. So I decided to read one story each morning and think about it throughout the day. I am happy I did. Love the author's writing I could feel the pain of some of the characters.
February 16, 2022
Major yawn, here I was expecting something much better, but it's a huge letdown. Sorry, but I won't be recommending this to anyone.....unless they can't sleep. Try again, but I won't be reading another of your books until you take some college classes on how to write. .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2023
This book is magical. It’s so beautiful. Captivating. Haunting. With poetic unique style. Amazing book. A gift and treasure. Each page is haunting. Please read this incredible book. A beautiful escape. Iam an old soul and I was transported to a world I know.
October 6, 2023
This is a book of short stories which took my eye .. each one with its own unique meaning.. my favourite which is a spoiler is the river .. which I have mention on my group page had me gripped from start to finish .
I cannot recommend Adams books enough and I am hoping he writes more.
I cannot recommend Adams books enough and I am hoping he writes more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
A philosophical adventure. Ten emotive journeys. I thoroughly enjoyed Grim Fairy Tales. Not only were the stories varied in subject and written eloquently, they were also very thought-provoking. Adam Nicke is a true wordsmith. I highly recommend his books.
September 16, 2020
Review
Adam Nicke's Grim Fairy Tales is an intriguing example of gothic storytelling reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe. This collection of short stories draws you in from the very first page, compelling you to continue reading until the end. Nicke is extremely descriptive; you can actually see the people, places, and things he writes about. He takes you on a journey through time, easily transporting you to the world he has re-created. It is impossible not to become engrossed in the stories, and each little gem leaves you wanting more. However vile the actions of the protagonist may be, it is hard not to sympathize with their plight. Each story is simply magnificent, although my personal favorite is "From the Blood of Innocence". Everyone should read this book. You will want to read it again and again.
Adam Nicke's Grim Fairy Tales is an intriguing example of gothic storytelling reminiscent of Edgar Allen Poe. This collection of short stories draws you in from the very first page, compelling you to continue reading until the end. Nicke is extremely descriptive; you can actually see the people, places, and things he writes about. He takes you on a journey through time, easily transporting you to the world he has re-created. It is impossible not to become engrossed in the stories, and each little gem leaves you wanting more. However vile the actions of the protagonist may be, it is hard not to sympathize with their plight. Each story is simply magnificent, although my personal favorite is "From the Blood of Innocence". Everyone should read this book. You will want to read it again and again.
October 26, 2023
Mesmerizing and grim.
When I read these macabre fairy tales, the time flew by. They are like poetry cascading into rich and dark dreams. Cathartic!
When I read these macabre fairy tales, the time flew by. They are like poetry cascading into rich and dark dreams. Cathartic!
January 21, 2024
There are very few other contemporary writers who can do what Adam Nicke can: make words dance. This is the first of his works I listened to. I have his books on my to-read shelf.
May 13, 2024
Very deep, dark, Gothic and grand, but not to be enjoyed in one reading.
Pace yourself and you'll be able to appreciate the artistry, the accuracy at work behind the scenes.
Pace yourself and you'll be able to appreciate the artistry, the accuracy at work behind the scenes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews