Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Book Review: A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

✰✰✰½ If you have you ever wondered just what it was that made Hansel and Gretel run away from home, then this is the book for you. There's more to their story than a trail of bread crumbs and an edible house.

Follow Hansel and Gretel as they face beheadings and evil substitute parents. There's also the moon who likes to eat children and a handsome young murderer. The children face challenge after challenge even leading the villagers to fight against a dragon that has invaded their kingdom. But perhaps their greatest challenge of all is their quest to find forgiveness for the parents who betrayed them.


Throughout the book, the stories are peppered with warnings from the narrator about the more gruesome parts which serves as a temptation to read on. These stories are loosely based on the classic tales by the Brothers Grimm. While the stories may indeed be grim, these are fairy tales after all. Perhaps the twins will live happily ever after...or perhaps not. Read them if you dare.


The Bottom Line:
A Tale Dark & Grimm is a morbid and fun book for readers who enjoy the gruesome. Gidwitz weaves a tale that holds interest throughout. Recommended for tweens, teens, and adults who enjoy fairytale retellings. However, kids who are a wee bit squeamish might want to pass this one up.

Details:
A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz. Published by Dutton Children's Books in 2010. 192 p. ISBN: 978-0-525-42334-8

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