Discover 8 Twisted Fairy Tales for Adults
Book RaiderOnce upon a time, in a much less sophisticated world, fairy tales were sugar, spice, and nice. Nowadays, adults prefer our stories like prefer our martinis with a twist. Not worry, folks. We not talking about R versions of your beloved bedtime growing up. Rather, a playful, somewhat dark, unapologetically eccentric take on them.
Imagine Little Red Riding Hood with ninja or Cinderella as a tough-as-nails crime boss - intriguing, isn't it? I've scoured the four corners of the literary world to bring you an enthralling collection of Adult Twisted Fairy Tales. These stories will tickle your fancy, challenge your perspective, and make you question if the villain was really a villain at all (Spoiler alert: The big bad wolves aren't always the bad guys). Sounds fun? Let's journey through the twisted yet magical world of grown-up fairy tales, shall we?
Boy, Snow, Bird: A
by Helen Oyeyemi
Why Boy, Snow, Bird: A is on this list: If you thought Snow White was just about a jealous queen and a naive princess, this book will flip that around and have you questioning what truly makes a villain or a heroine.
It's the 1950s, and Boy Novak escapes an abusive father, moving to a small town in Massachusetts. She marries Arturo Whitman, a widower with a daughter named Snow. When they have their own daughter, Bird, her birth brings to light a hidden family secret about race and appearance. Suddenly we are drawn into a world of mirrors, reflections, and the distorted perception of beauty, where evil lurks deeper than skin and where the fairest of them all can be the real beast.
What readers like: Readers love the clever re-imagination of the Snow White tale told through a multi-generational and multi-racial perspective. The book dives into themes of identity, perception, beauty and the idea of 'the other.' Helen Oyeyemi's lyrical writing brings each character to life making it hard to put this twisted fairy tale down.
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Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English
by Philip Pullman
Why Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm: A New English is on this list: This book takes the traditional tales from the Brothers Grimm and gives them a dark, grown-up spin. It's perfect for those looking for a taste nostalgia infused with a streak of mature storytelling.
This book brings together 50 of the Brothers Grimm's classic tales, but not as you remember from your childhood. Instead, Philip Pullman masterfully remixes and reinterprets these well-known tales, adding a touch of dark intrigue and complex narrative that's captivating enough for an adult audience. Some tales may start familiarly, but be prepared for unexpected, often chilling turn of events that jab a mature spinning spindle straight through your childhood memories.
What readers like: Readers love the blend of familiarity and surprise in this collection. They appreciate Pullman's skill in maintaining the essence of the original fairy tales while introducing new, thought-provoking elements. They have praised the book's balance of the magical and macabre, and appreciate the dashes of wry humor sprinkled throughout. If you grew up with the Brothers Grimm and are ready for a grown-up version, readers highly recommend this book.
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Horse, Flower, Bird: Stories
by Kate Bernheimer
Why Horse, Flower, Bird: Stories is on this list: If you're the type of person who enjoys their fairy tales with a healthy portion of the uncanny, and a side of eerie beauty, you'll want to get your mitts on this book. Bernheimer conjures up her own magic kingdom of twisted fairy tales, which are every bit as otherworldly and disconcerting as they are compelling.
This collection of short stories takes some elements traditional to fairy tales - animals, flowers, the elements - and spins them in quite unexpected ways. Forget about finding morals or life lessons here; the appeal is much more about the strange journeys these pieces will lead you on. These tales will feels both alien and nostalgically familiar in the best way possible.
What readers like: Readers praise Bernheimer's ability to use simple, delicate prose to craft an atmosphere where peculiarity and wonder walk hand in hand. They're drawn by the subtle horror and gentle beauty in each story, resulting in a comforting yet chilling reading experience. Just remember - these fairy tales might be more Grimm than Disney.
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The Robber Bride
by Margaret Atwood
Why The Robber Bride is on this list: Settle in with this cunning tale spun with a twist, where the tooth fairy has nothing on the villain’s stealing more than just molars. It’s your classic fairy tales turned upside-down and ran through the reality blender.
In this beguiling bachelor trip into the dark side of good old grim, the familiar fairy tale damsel in distress is nowhere to be found. Instead, we meet Zenia, a siren who would give Rumpeliltskin the gold boot. She has a knack for preying on her three 'friends' and robbing them of their men, money and almost, their minds. But the story doesn't end here, as the tables turn in this deliciously complex narrative of deceit, power, and resilience.
What readers like: Readers fell hard for Atwood's sardonic wit and the uncanny way she takes the fluff out of fairytales to serve you raw, unfiltered reality – with a side of revenge. The complex women characters and unconventional plotline makes this a wild carriage ride that oft begs the question - who is the real villain in the game of lives?
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A Wild Swan: And Other Tales
by Michael Cunningham
Why A Wild Swan: And Other Tales is on this list:
Michael Cunningham masterfully revives the world of fairy tales, but with a twist the kind that is made, not for tucking children into bed, but for keeping adults on the edge of their seats. Doors of pure innocence are thrown wide open, letting in shadows of dark quests, moral conundrums, and harsh truths. The tales are familiar, amalgamating your childhood joy, wonder, but this time, intertwining with the hidden and often suppressed layers of adult life.
What readers like: Readers absolutely adore this book for its masterful blend of the familiar and unsettling. It's like savouring a deliciously forbidden fruit – innocence mashed up with a certain edginess that makes the tales even more captivating. The narratives are insightful and heartbreaking, wrapped up in Cunningham's lyrical prose. It's the kind of book adults wish they had when they were kids, but are grateful they have now.
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Dorothy Must Die
by Danielle Paige
Why Dorothy Must Die is on this list: This isn't the Oz you knew from your childhood. The yellow brick road is tarnished and Dorothy isn't the sweet, innocent girl. It brings a dark and twisted vision of a beloved fairy tale, making it perfectly fit for adult readers who crave complex themes and characters.
Here, Dorothy returned to Oz, only to overtake it and turn into a power-crazed antagonist. Now, it's up to a new girl, Amy Gumm - also from Kansas - to take Dorothy down. Imagine witches good and evil being flipped on their hat-tips, munchkins with piercings, and flying monkeys turned into oppressive surveillance systems. It's delightfully terrifying.
What readers like: Readers love the intricate plot twists, the vivid and eerie descriptions of Oz's dark side, and the sophisticated character development. Expect the unexpected as Danielle Paige masterfully spins a familiar tale into a radically different narrative. It's a dash of nostalgia combined with a lot of wicked fun.
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Beasts of Prey
by Ayana Gray
Why Beasts of Prey is on this list: While 'Beasts of Prey' may not be the standard 'Once upon a time' fairytale, it packs a wallop of twisted folklore and mythology that adults will relish. This thrilling tale spins with dark enchantments and monstrous creatures, taking us far from the clichéd ‘happily ever after’.
Inextricably into a dangerous game of survival in a world populated by magical beasts and dark forces, unlikely allies Koffi and Ekon must set aside their differences to defeat a mysterious creature terrorizing their city. This richly woven tale blends gritty realism with magical fantasy, redefining what it means to be hero or monster.
What readers like: Readers revel in the novel's lush world-building, complex characters, and heart-stopping plot twists. Ayana Gray’s narrative transports us into a realm of mythical beasts and treacherous magic, engaging readers with its riveting blend of adventure, mystery, and exploration of resilience amidst chaos. If you've got a thing for dark fairytales and the blurred lines between heroes and villains, this book's got your name on it.
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Through the Woods
by Emily Carroll
Why Through the Woods is on this list: Remember those sweet, innocent fairy tales your parents told you with cherry on top? Yeah, Through the Woods isn’t one of them. Instead, Emily Carroll offers a twisted rendition that's definitely made for grown-ups.
This visually stunning graphic novel is five chills-down-your-spine tales knitted into one. Frail damsels, woods deeper than they should be, and families with secrets too grotesque to utter; this is no picnic in the park. Beginning with 'It came from the woods. Most strange things do.', the book takes you on a ride through the dark side of traditions and folklore where each story is a journey through fear, dread and anxiety.
What readers like: Readers enjoy the depth of the stories coupled with the stunning visuals. The overarching sense of dismay and impending doom has piqued their interest and kept them hooked. Fans of the genre appreciate the way Emily Carroll has breathed a new, eerie life into familiar fairy tales and have applauded her ability to weave haunting narratives that linger long after the book is closed.
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