A TALE DARK AND GRIMM

Hi, welcome back

I'd like to wish all of you celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Happy Paddy's Day!

I can't believe it's still winter. Our weather system has gone screwy in Toronto, Canada. People are out in shorts and t-shirts. March is always an unpredictable month, but I can't remember a time where I shed my winter coat and gloves this early. Canadian's wouldn't dare think of putting away their snow shovels, or removing snow tires, surely expecting to receive one more dumping of snow. The greatest of all is to see so many smiling faces. People are happy, lounging at patio's, strolling through the streets, all grinning like Cheshire cats. 

This brings me to my next book choice, A Tale Dark and Grimm, one that will have you jumping out of your seats cheering for the hero and heroine of the story. It will make you smile, even laugh at times, and leave you gasping for breath, as your heart hammers in your chest shouting out warnings of dangers ahead.

A Tale Dark and Grimm is a modern day twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, which were often times very dark and scary, but so much fun to read.

The Brothers Grimm

Wilhelm (left) and Jacob Grimm (right)

German classic writers, the brothers Grimm collaborated together to create the fairy tales that still share a popularity today. 

         

Please find below a link to their fairy tales. 

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~spok/grimmtmp/

 

Adam Gidwitz: (1982-)

An American author, and teacher. Adam Gidwitz  now resides in France where he is writing full time. His debut novel A Tale Dark and Grimm is suitable for middle and upper grade readers.

Adam Gidwitz has written a brilliant adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. He has woven together eight of the stories to create one marvelous adventure, starring the hero Hansel and the heroine Gretel. 

Adam Gidwitz did not soften or dull down the gruesomeness of the Grimm tales, instead played with the ideas, creating a fantasy story that is fun, scary and at times very humorous. This tongue and cheek story moves along at a freight train speed, one you’re going to want to buckle up your seats belts.

A Tale Dark and Grimm

 

  

Hansel and Gretel never got a break, their lives always immersed in  danger. Their parents the king and queen of the kingdom were not all smiles and sweetness, but ruled by desire and greed, and went to all lengths to attain what they wanted. Hansel and Gretel discovered this first hand, and saw no choice but to flee the castle.   

Leaving behind the only home they knew they wandered together into the woods, both  hungry and tired. As in the original tale of Hansel and Grethel, they came across a house made  of cake, owned by a kind woman, a baker who invites them inside. At first all is fine, Hansel and Gretel happily settle into their new lives. Beware of what looks good on the surface. Not all is what it appears to be. Hansel and Gretel soon learn this lesson, their lives again in jeopardy. 


Hansel and Gretel narrowly escape, and once again are on the run, wandering deeper into the woods. Their tales of adventure continue one leading into the next, each with its own harrowing experiences. By the end of the book the tales are intricately woven together and come full circle to a hero’s welcome.  

A wonderful imaginative read! Enjoy!

Happy reading,

Bye Rosalyne