What do you think?
Rate this book
Truly Grim Tales
Based on the well-known fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen, these retellings will intrigue and disturb readers. From a futuristic "Little Red Riding Hood" in which giant clams and carnivorous beasts stalk humans, to the real reason why the giant in "Jack and the Beanstalk" needs to eat human bones, to a version of "Snow White" told from the wicked stepmother's point of view, fans of fairy and folk tales will find much to interest them.
132 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Priscilla Galloway
28 books1 followerPriscilla Galloway is an award-winning Canadian children's literature author and former English teacher. She received a PhD from the University of Toronto in 1977 with her dissertation titled "Sexism and the senior English literature curriculum in Ontario secondary schools."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 15, 2019
A collection of fairytale retellings where there is more to the story than ‘happily ever after’. Perspectives you might have wondered about but could never truly have guessed. These are stories that are ‘grim’ as the title suggests but with nuggets of hope that trickle through your imagination. Sometimes the trickle of hope is not for the character you would like it to be though...
And I really like the cover!
Of the stories, I particularly liked:
The Name takes you on a touching and somewhat sad journey of Rumpelstiltskin through the eyes of the titular character himself.
A Bed of Peas
Did you ever wonder who Rupunzel's real parents were and whatever became of them? You'll embark on their incredible journey to be together and find their precious child as the story touches on a variety of fairytales. This one was my clear favorite of the collection.
The Voice of Love is a bittersweet retelling of The Little Mermaid. This story lacks any hope but it still grabbed my attention and didn't let go.
The Good Mother is the story of Little Red Riding Hood set in a post-apocalyptic future where creatures roam the world searching for human blood and little old grandmas just have to live by themselves on islands surrounded by man-eating giant clams. As the creatures become sentient how will the world change to incorporate them to create a place where humans and creatures can coexist? Leave it to a soft-hearted little girl in a red cloak and her grandmother to find a way.
The Prince is a very different take on Cinderella from the viewpoint of the prince with just a small foot fetish. She needn't have gotten all dolled up as he only noticed her naked feet within the glass slippers. Poor Stephen, poor in more than just this way, the prince does not even give him a second thought once Cinderella's tiny feet hit the ballroom floor.
And I really like the cover!
Of the stories, I particularly liked:
The Name takes you on a touching and somewhat sad journey of Rumpelstiltskin through the eyes of the titular character himself.
A Bed of Peas
Did you ever wonder who Rupunzel's real parents were and whatever became of them? You'll embark on their incredible journey to be together and find their precious child as the story touches on a variety of fairytales. This one was my clear favorite of the collection.
The Voice of Love is a bittersweet retelling of The Little Mermaid. This story lacks any hope but it still grabbed my attention and didn't let go.
The Good Mother is the story of Little Red Riding Hood set in a post-apocalyptic future where creatures roam the world searching for human blood and little old grandmas just have to live by themselves on islands surrounded by man-eating giant clams. As the creatures become sentient how will the world change to incorporate them to create a place where humans and creatures can coexist? Leave it to a soft-hearted little girl in a red cloak and her grandmother to find a way.
The Prince is a very different take on Cinderella from the viewpoint of the prince with just a small foot fetish. She needn't have gotten all dolled up as he only noticed her naked feet within the glass slippers. Poor Stephen, poor in more than just this way, the prince does not even give him a second thought once Cinderella's tiny feet hit the ballroom floor.
September 23, 2020
Важните, или поне по-особено хубавите книжки винаги те намират някак така, извънредно, между другото, на ръба на това да ги подминеш, защото си тръгнал да търсиш съвсем конкретни като имена или поне като идея заглавия. Така и тази книжка изникна неочаквано сред десетките хиляди заглавия на големия онлайн кашон със вехтории Книжен пазар. Представям си странният ѝ път до България, защото това е едно старо заглавие, ненамеримо в електронен формат и вероятно несъществуващо извън задокеанските книжарници на севера. Как ли точно се е качила на самолета за родината ни, случайно взета на някое летище или като сувенир от антикварна книжарничка в Монреал или Торонто, и после е била забравена в хотела, или в някое кафене, а може и да е била пусната на свобода – вариантите са десетки. И ето, вече съм запленена от тази книжка, без да отгърнала дори една нейна страничка, без да съм попила дори една нейна дума, без да имам идея в какъв мрачен свят на погубени приказки ще се озова…
Истинските мрачни приказки са много особени вариации около класическите истории за лека нощ, показващи моментите преди или след началото на онова, което ще доведе до И заживели щастливо, твърде често оборвайки подобно положително твърдение, намеквайки за ужаса на реалността, способен да вгорчи всяка мечта за озахарено щастие. Защото принцът може да си пада просто по изящни стъпала в прозрачни обувки, а няма никакво значение какво лице и сърце има над тях; вълкът може да е вълчица, и то с малки, за които да носи прясна кръв във свят, където добитък, освен човешкият, просто няма, а вещицата на Хензел и Гретел може би не е сенилна човекоядка, а древна магьосница, която някога си е говорила с огледала.
Мотивите на Румпелщилсхен , както и уж магията му да преде злато могат да имат най-тъжно-човешките обяснения на света; великаните от света на Джак може би са извънземни, покосени от тежък дефицит на костен мозък, а мистерията на Марулка или Рапунцел може да се дължи на родителите ѝ, които пък защо да не са пустинни горди лъвове от древно племе. Пяната, останала след малката русалка може да крещи за кръв, която да измие срама от напразната саможертва в името на любовта, а на злата кралица на бъдещето можете дамо да ѝ стискате палци да ликвидира Снежанка, защото всеки заслужава своя хубав край след живот на болка и мъчения.
Още едно съкровище, което ще ви се случи, когато е готово да ви се случи. Мракът настъпва, в него светлината е рядък лукс, и общо взето идва от острието на ножа. Елегантни, раняващи и смущаващи. Различни, умни и някак превъзхождащи векове захаросани мечти за добър край. Великолепие, очарование и красота, но само в тъмните краски. Такива истории не са лека нощ, а за истинско събуждане с писъци…
Истинските мрачни приказки са много особени вариации около класическите истории за лека нощ, показващи моментите преди или след началото на онова, което ще доведе до И заживели щастливо, твърде често оборвайки подобно положително твърдение, намеквайки за ужаса на реалността, способен да вгорчи всяка мечта за озахарено щастие. Защото принцът може да си пада просто по изящни стъпала в прозрачни обувки, а няма никакво значение какво лице и сърце има над тях; вълкът може да е вълчица, и то с малки, за които да носи прясна кръв във свят, където добитък, освен човешкият, просто няма, а вещицата на Хензел и Гретел може би не е сенилна човекоядка, а древна магьосница, която някога си е говорила с огледала.
Мотивите на Румпелщилсхен , както и уж магията му да преде злато могат да имат най-тъжно-човешките обяснения на света; великаните от света на Джак може би са извънземни, покосени от тежък дефицит на костен мозък, а мистерията на Марулка или Рапунцел може да се дължи на родителите ѝ, които пък защо да не са пустинни горди лъвове от древно племе. Пяната, останала след малката русалка може да крещи за кръв, която да измие срама от напразната саможертва в името на любовта, а на злата кралица на бъдещето можете дамо да ѝ стискате палци да ликвидира Снежанка, защото всеки заслужава своя хубав край след живот на болка и мъчения.
Още едно съкровище, което ще ви се случи, когато е готово да ви се случи. Мракът настъпва, в него светлината е рядък лукс, и общо взето идва от острието на ножа. Елегантни, раняващи и смущаващи. Различни, умни и някак превъзхождащи векове захаросани мечти за добър край. Великолепие, очарование и красота, но само в тъмните краски. Такива истории не са лека нощ, а за истинско събуждане с писъци…
August 12, 2020
This was a great take on the fairy tales we are familure with. Galloway took different perspectives, twists or just completetly changed up the old fairy tales making them different, unique and in someways better then what we are familure with. Somepeople say rewriting something that already exists with your own take on it is a copout but I think it is a true sign of creativity to take something well known and make it your own.
November 28, 2021
I didn't get it at all.
My brother gave me this though so I read it and am do thankful for the gift from my brother. 💗
My brother gave me this though so I read it and am do thankful for the gift from my brother. 💗
November 18, 2009
"The Name" is a dark take on Rumpelstiltskin. Telling the story from the viewpoint of a heartbroken man, the author really changes things up and gives you a new view on this old story. I enjoyed it a lot.
"Blood and Bone" is an odd twist on Jack and the Beanstock about a devastating disease and the disturbing ingredient needed to prolong the lifespan of the afflicted. It's another grim tale, to be sure, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. The choices made by the lead protagonist weren't well thought out . . .
"A Bed of Peas" isn't the fairy tale you may think it might be. This one wasn't my favorite because I felt a disconnect and disinterest to the characters and storyline. It also wasn't grim enough for me ;)
"The Good Mother" more than makes up for the lack of grimness in the previous tale and is a truly imaginative take on a classic fairy tale. Sad, desperate and a great little read.
"The Voice of Love" is about a doomed prince and a mermaid. It just didn't grab me.
The rest of these tales are variants of the same. Classic fairy tales told from a very different perspective and all were fascinating to me.
"Blood and Bone" is an odd twist on Jack and the Beanstock about a devastating disease and the disturbing ingredient needed to prolong the lifespan of the afflicted. It's another grim tale, to be sure, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. The choices made by the lead protagonist weren't well thought out . . .
"A Bed of Peas" isn't the fairy tale you may think it might be. This one wasn't my favorite because I felt a disconnect and disinterest to the characters and storyline. It also wasn't grim enough for me ;)
"The Good Mother" more than makes up for the lack of grimness in the previous tale and is a truly imaginative take on a classic fairy tale. Sad, desperate and a great little read.
"The Voice of Love" is about a doomed prince and a mermaid. It just didn't grab me.
The rest of these tales are variants of the same. Classic fairy tales told from a very different perspective and all were fascinating to me.
Read
November 3, 2008Truly Grim Tales by Priscilla Galloway is a book filled with gory and interesting stories. The title does explain each story within the book but there are some changes. The stories are tales retold by Priscilla Not all the stories have grim tales but actually include some romance and social problems. I thought that each tale had its own unique characteristics and matched the story nicely. The book, as a whole, is one of its kind and anyone who is looking for something "new" to read is welcome to reading this one!
March 30, 2012
I loved this book so much as a..tween (what a terrible word). The branding of these stories as the "truth" is a bit irritating, but the lesson in changing perspectives is lovely. They're mostly heart-renderingly sad - i think the happiest one is Rapunzel, in which there's some hope for a happy family after a lot of heartbreak - but, to be fair to the back of the book, they ring completely emotionally true to me.
January 30, 2015
Such a great approach to the old stories. Galloway doesn't just reimagine plot and setting, she takes on a new point of view in each of these. Jack and the Beanstalk as told by the giantess? Rumpelstiltkin's side of the story? Rapunzel's "real"mom's life story? Lots of good stuff here. The last story confused me all the way up to the end, then I burst into laughter.
November 3, 2010
I was not overly impressed with this collection of retold Grimm fairy tales; however, some were quite good. The one that sticks with me the most is the Jack and the Beanstalk retelling. I also recall the Red Riding Hood version, but not necessarily for a good reason.
November 17, 2011
This has everything that I love.
Interesting narrative/perspective twists.
Really interesting narrative voice.
REALLY INTERESTING PLOTS.
Short stories are HARD and Priscilla Galloway does an amazing job.
I wish she'd do a Truly Grim Tales 2 with other fairytales.
Interesting narrative/perspective twists.
Really interesting narrative voice.
REALLY INTERESTING PLOTS.
Short stories are HARD and Priscilla Galloway does an amazing job.
I wish she'd do a Truly Grim Tales 2 with other fairytales.
May 7, 2012
A really quite strong collection of retellings... some are better than others but the ones that are good are *really* good. I was unexpectedly very impressed and I'm surprised this collection hasn't gotten more attention!
August 10, 2013
Not usually a fan of short stories but these held my interest. Liked the change in point of view for the retelling of these however found them a bit grim for my liking. However would recommend the book for those who like to read unusual tales.
Read
June 12, 2014this book has a good hook that would make other people want to read it.this book is a good book there is a good amount of adventure and quality thing that happen in this book. i would like to have other people read this book also its a good book.
January 29, 2015
Rewritten fairy tales. The details were very interesting, but the endings were not. I could apply the original endings to a few, but mostly there were no endings. Reviews are good for this book and there is a second book, so my dislikes are in the minority.
May 6, 2012
A great re-working of classic fairy tales. I loved how the perspective of the other character(s) is brought to light. A great read.
September 8, 2012
Awesome fairytale retellings.
Want to read
October 20, 2009Eight classic tales retold with a strange/disconcerting twist.
December 14, 2013
I was excited to start a collection of Grimm tales. Some were funny, but then it got old.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews