When you think of fairy tales, do you think of princesses in love, magic that cures all, and a happily ever after? What about vindictive villains? Maybe you secretly root for the bad guy or wish your prince charming would sweep you off to a castle. Or, if you’re like me, you like your fairy tales a little darker, more sinister, a little closer to the original writings where Snow White’s step-mother was forced to dance in red-hot iron shoes or Rumpelstiltskin got so mad he stomped himself into the ground then ripped himself in half trying to get out. Dark fairy tales take us on wild, dangerous adventures. Adventures with complex characters, unique worlds, and an underlying feeling of, well, darkness. So break out the pumpkin spice whatever, curl up in your coziest blanket, and take a romp through some fantastic stories with some treacherous characters.
Peter Pan: mischievous, exciting, complex. He charms lost children, those that are neglected, abused and worse. He promises them paradise and the chance to stay young forever. He promises fun and magic. But Peter’s promises aren’t the whole truth. In Neverland, the children will stop aging and see wonders they never imagined, but at what cost? A war has raged in Neverland for centuries, one in which the children are expected to fight with savage intensity and complete devotion to Peter. Be forewarned, “The Child Thief” is an intense, violent and harsh retelling of Peter Pan. It isn’t for everyone. But if you’re willing to brave the dark, you’ll find beautiful writing, an unexpected plot and dramatic illustrations. Want to spend more time in a less extreme but still twisted Neverland? Check out “Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook” by Christina Henry.
In “The Book of Lost Things” by John Connolly, 12-year-old David lost his mother and feels like he is losing his father, too. He turns to his books for solace. But when they start whispering to him, David finds himself thrust into a dangerous world full of beasts and monsters, and to find his way out, David must embark on a quest to discover the secrets in a mysterious book, preciously guarded by the king. Don’t be fooled by the young narrator and whimsical cover — this is not a book for kids. David encounters many a dark fairy tale character on his travels and there are definite horror elements throughout his journey. For more spooky October content, try Connolly’s “Nocturnes” and “Night Music” short story anthologies.
For all those tired of the more familiar fairy tales, experience the Russian folktale of Koschei through Catherynne M. Valente‘s “Deathless.” Traditionally, Koschei is a menacing villain, often taking the role of antagonist to a hero or love, but in Deathless, he is transported to modern times, living through major events in Russia throughout the twentieth century. There’s romance, betrayal, quests, magical beings and so much more. Read this one with the internet close by as there are references to Russian culture, folklore, and society you may need to learn more about. If that’s not your cup of tea, however, don’t worry. You don’t need to know every reference to enjoy this beautifully written story. If you’re interested in reading the original Koschei folk tale, you can read Andrew Lang‘s “Koschei the Deathless and Other Fairy Tales.”
And finally, take a trip back to the classic storytellers: The Brothers Grimm. Fairy tales were originally tales of warning with grave endings. “The Annotated Brothers Grimm” features annotations for each tale on cultural references, translation nuances, and more. It’s an excellent way to re-experience those classic stories.
I hope your Halloween week is full of fun, spookiness, magic and monsters!
