Fairy Tales

by Marianne Moore

Faber Stories, a landmark series of individual volumes, presents masters of the short story form at work in a range of genres and styles.

A wily cat, a strange romance, detestable daughters: the great American poet Marianne Moore retells three stories originally written by Charles Perrault to amuse the niece of Louis XIV.

Modern readers may be surprised to find that the prince does not wake Sleeping Beauty with a kiss - the more he cares, the less willing he is to intrude - and that his mother is descended from ogres.

Characterised by vivid imagery, uncluttered prose, inventive alliteration and a sly sceptic's wit, Moore's versions do more than tell a tale: 'Having seen a problem solved,' she writes, each one leaves 'a pattern of order in the mind.'

Bringing together past, present and future in our ninetieth year, Faber Stories is a celebratory compendium of collectable work.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Classics, Literary Fiction

44 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2019

About the author

Marianne Craig Moore (November 15, 1887 – February 5, 1972) was an American Modernist poet, critic, translator, and editor. Her poetry is noted for formal innovation, precise diction, irony, and wit.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will start by saying that I realised after reading the 3 classic fairy tales that I have in fact read these before in the Everyman's Children's Classic series so I have to say that I was familiar with all 3.

That said these are some of the classic versions of the stories and so have a warmth of familiarity some other translations are lacking. As such the name and influence of Marianne Moore may have coloured the more familiar telling of the stories (I remember reading far more brutal versions that is for sure) but I guess like may common stories we remember the version we choose to.

This is a great series of taster books and stories and I have to say I have not been disappointed yet there is a truly eclectic mix of stories which present a brilliant launch pad for further exploration.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute little cover pulled me in and it was nice to read a slight re telling of three classic fairy tales. An interesting little book that was fun to read.

[Hestia Istiviani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read in English but this review is in Bahasa Indonesia

Melengkapi Faber Stories itu seru juga meskipun kali ini aku hanya bisa melakukannya melalui Kobo.com. Kali ini aku memilih Fairy Tales berkat sinopsisnya yang membuatku tertarik. Sebab katanya, Marianne Moore melakukan penceritaan ulang yang membuat tiga dongeng (anak) menjadi lebih ramah pembaca segala usia.

Sejak bagian pendahulua, Moore mengatakan bahwa beberapa dongeng yang dituliskan oleh Perrault sepertinya agak aneh. Wajar saja, eranya berbeda dengan era Moore ketika itu. Maka ia pun mengadaptasinya dan menuliskan ulang menjadi dongeng yang tidak terlalu "berdarah-darah" atau kejam.

Tiga dongeng tersebut adalah Puss in the Boots, Sleeping Beauty, dan Cinderella. Bagi pembaca yang lebih familiar dengan versi Disney, jangan khawatir, versi Moore masih berbeda kok. Hanya persamaanya terletak pada ide besar.

Untukku pribadi, Fairy Tales versi Marianne Moore masih jauh lebih baik daripada milik Disney. Terlebih, punya Moore juga lebih singkat. Konflik tidak kompleks dan penyelesaiannya yang tidak bertele-tele. Wajar saja. Namanya juga dongeng, kan?

[Matthew Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little book contains three versions of fairy tales by Charles Perrault retold by Marianne Moore in the 1960s. I don't know that I have ever previously read versions of these tales, although I knew all three - Puss in Boots, The Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella - with the exception that I did not know part two of The Sleeping Beauty, and I found these versions to be perfectly engaging, although nothing mindblowing.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s just nothing quite like French fairy tales. These tales have a certain charm so indescribable, a bit of je ne sais quoi.

[connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

literally just a translation of the fairy tales, offers absolutely nothing new

[Kaitlyn Chatwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think these are close translations of the originals as they are not gruesome enough (I seem to remember Cinderella’s stepsisters cutting off their toes to fit the glass slipper which did not occur here). Reading like a nice PG rated version of the original, there is more detail of the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty stories which I had not known and rather liked. The Sleeping Beauty one is particular was intriguing as Maleficent was unnamed and had about 3 lines, then the story rapidly became about the Prince who saved her. I rather like Disney’s dark film version with Angelina Jolie, but this version was almost as fun with an ogre for a mother.

Finish reading my review here:

https://wordpress.com/view/kaitlyncha...

[Simon Howard]

This volume contains Marianne Moore's versions of three tales written by Charles Perrault for the niece of Louis XIV: Puss in Boots, The Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. These were first published in 1963; I read the 2019 Faber Stories 44-page paperback collection.

These versions deviate a little from the commonly received versions: Sleeping Beauty isn't awoken with a kiss and Cinderella's stepsisters aren't ugly, for example. However, I can't claim to have taken much from this book. The plots are essentially well-worn and the writing didn't strike me as especially notable, but perhaps that just makes me an uncultured heathen who doesn't appreciate Moore's greatness.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uuummmmm okay?
I thought this was going to be a fairytale retelling with fun twists, but it was just an original story with some unknown details added; especially the latter half of the Sleeping Beauty had a surprising twist (I guess?), but it was not interesting enough for me. (I’ve heard somewhere that Sleeping Beauty was raped when she was sleeping and woke up while giving birth to her child… I wonder how the very first story went like)

I didn’t hate it, but it’s just…. Meh.
Puss in Boots didn’t have any new info I didn’t know already. (And it’s still my favourite story out of these three stories.)

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harmless - it’s literally just the fairy tales translated, which I didn’t realise until I read it. Cinderella is too nice to those bitch stepsisters. Puss in boots is a fabulous swindler. Sleeping beauty’s Prince marries her but treats her as a side piece, which is kinda sus behaviour even by 17th century standards

[Stephen Theaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

These seem from the preface to be translations of Charles Perrault's stories rather than entirely new tellings. Puss in Boots and Cinderella held few surprises, but the second half of Sleeping Beauty was all new to me.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little read! I have read Angela Carter’s re-tellings of some of Charles Perrault’s fairytales and was interested to see how Marianne Moore retold them. They were wonderful and the perfect quick read to pick up. Definitely recommend!

[Chrissie Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

An enjoyable quick read. Moore retells three of Charles Perrault's well known fairy tales which is always lovely. There was a fun addition to the tale of Sleeping Beauty which was a delight. Overall a quick fun read that added little to the originals but was entertaining nonetheless.

[Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

great preface regarding fairytales and their evolution of language. the little text included Puss in Boots, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.

[Socialteaist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing terribly new, but enjoyable.

[Anne (Not of Green Gables) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine but entirely forgettable.

[yk]

unexpectedly funny, with an interesting set of new details in both “the sleeping beauty” and “cinderella”. i think moore’s version of sleeping beauty would have so much fun on r/justnoMIL

[✰matthew✰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

these stories were fine, i don’t think much was reworked or changed. but they were nice and easy to read, enjoyed.

[aisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don't know what i was expecting but i didn't think this would be a collection of retellings of fairy tales. it was okay but not so much like the original tales.

[trinah · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting little read

[Sophie]

I would have happily read an entire collection of Marianne's retellings. Three is not enough. Three is even less than an appetiser.

[Shiv · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and not so sweet set of fairytales.

[Katharine Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, three short fairy tales on Puss in Boots, The Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, really interesting to read the original stories and the whimsical fantasy around them

[booksandgreenpyjamas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the short stories but I didn't think there was anything special about this retelling.

[Oscar Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous! I love the odd details left in.

[Mollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

love marianne moore's voice in classic fairy tales - more hopeful whilst still keeping in the dark undertones of the original stories

[jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring as hell

[Teodora Muresan · Rating 5 out of 5]

made me feel like a child again

[C.W. Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean what is there to say? everyone should read fairytales

[Sofi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally entertaining but nothing new in this retelling other than presenting milder versions of the original (by Perrault). I do feel tempted to re-read those!