Book Review: Grimm Tales: For Young and Old by Philip Pullman

Edition: Paperback, 444 pages
Published By: Penguin Classics
Genre: Adult, Fairytales, Retellings, Horror
Rating: 3 stars
Completed: 27th February 2017

In this beautiful book of classic fairy tales, award-winning author Philip Pullman has chosen his fifty favourite stories from the Brothers Grimm and presents them in a’clear as water’ retelling, in his unique and brilliant voice.

From the quests and romance of classics such as ‘Rapunzel’, ‘Snow White’ and ‘Cinderella’ to the danger and wit of such lesser-known tales as ‘The Three Snake Leaves’, ‘Hans-my-Hedgehog’ and ‘Godfather Death’, Pullman brings the heart of each timeless tale to the fore, following with a brief but fascinating commentary on the story’s background and history. In his introduction, he discusses how these stories have lasted so long, and become part of our collective storytelling imagination.

These new versions show the adventures at their most lucid and engaging yet. Pullman’s Grimm Tales of wicked wives, brave children and villainous kings will have you reading, reading aloud and rereading them for many years to come.

When I think about it, I didn’t actually read that many fairy tales because I watched a lot of the Disney classic films but the first one I watched was Snow White. It’s not my favourite now as I love Beauty & The Beast but Snow White was definitely my favourite as a young girl.

Book Review: The Shining by Stephen King

Edition: Paperback, 497 pages
Published by: Hodder, Mass Market Paperback
Genre: Adult, Classics, Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller
Rating: 4 stars

Danny was only five years old but in the words of old Mr Halloran he was a ‘shiner’, aglow with psychic voltage. When his father became caretaker of the Overlook Hotel his visions grew frighteningly out of control.

As winter closed in and blizzards cut them off, the hotel seemed to develop a life of its own. It was meant to be empty, but who was the lady in Room 217, and who were the masked guests going up and down in the elevator? And why did the hedges shaped like animals seem so alive?

Somewhere, somehow there was an evil force in the hotel – and that too had begun to shine…

I’ve finally gotten around to reading my second Stephen King novel! And it had to be the Shining because its probably King’s most famous and best work. I prepared myself for a creepy and scary read.

The Shining follows Jack Torrance who gets a new job as the caretaker of the Overlook hotel in Colorado Rockies and brings along his wife Wendy and five year old son Danny, who has the ‘shine,’ meaning he knows what people are thinking and can experience visions of what is going to happen. When a snowstorm hits the hotel, things start to go horribly wrong, as the hotel develops a mind of its own and Danny’s visions spiral out of control.