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mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
1.0
I disliked this almost immediately. The story itself is fine, if not a little average.
What ruins it is how often Gidwitz chooses to break the fourth wall. Throughout the entire novel Gidwitz insists on intruding on events as an omniscient narrator. I hate this kind of storytelling. It completely breaks the immersion to have this unnecessary intrusion on the situation. It feels as if the author doesn't trust their audience or wants to force the reader to experience the book from their specific, narrow perspective. In this case Gidwitz seemed obsessed with the idea that the reader know that this was the 'real' story no holds barred. And constantly reiterating how dark this story is or telling little kids to leave the room if it's too much has the exact opposite effect. I'm a squeamish adult, but even for me the subject matter isn't all that bad. I've read more unsettling or creepy middle grade stuff before; which makes it even worse. This barely scratches the surfact yet Gidwitz is hyping the material like it's Stephen King for kids. It honestly feels very out of touch adult underestimating kids. Kids can handle way more than you'd think, on that we agree. However, I feel as if Gidwitz is still coming from a place of underestimation if he feels as if this book is particularly out there. It also feels as if I'm reading Gidwitz's random thoughts he jotted down as he wrote. At one point he tells this anecdote about how he used to come to the sad part in books and he'd try to disassociate himself from the moment in order to guard against the hurt. This has absolutely no benefit to the story. I am naturally processing my emotions as I read. If I need to take a moment for myself I will do that. I don't need a narration to interrupt the book in an attempt to relate to me or cushion the blow.
Outside of that glaring issue everything else is merely okay. Hansel and Gretel tripping through lesser known fairytales. Then around halfway it finally becomes one continuous story. I would have preferred if this were like a traditional novel in that it's one long story the whole time and the chapter breaks were used where they worked the best in the narrative. Instead the breaks are clearly delineated lines between the fairytales. This hurts the overall narrative as it feels less like one story that Hansel and Gretel are driving forward and more like a series of reimagined fairytales featuring Hansel and Gretel. Eventually the story does becomes more linear. Despite this change, the chapters being so specifically defined continues, which is unfortunate. Every single chapter starts off with 'once upon a time' adding to how disjointed it felt.
The characters aren't developed at all. There clearly is supposed to be an arc of the kids coming into their own by the end except the detached way the story is conveyed left me feeling entirely unsympathetic to the kids' plights. They're two dull kids who randomly decide to stop being...selfish? I guess? They don't really have any faults to overcome. Gretel also noticeably has more to do and more significance than Hansel; a decision that made me question why the twins were chosen as the backbone of the story in the first place.
There was never any suspense because Gidwitz was always telegraphing what was coming next. This made the book a slog most of the time.
I was taken in by the cover and the promise of a fun, edgy spin on a popular tale. Admittedly, this book did have its own original take on Hansel and Gretel. I did like the actual concept. It just wasted its potential in the execution.
What ruins it is how often Gidwitz chooses to break the fourth wall. Throughout the entire novel Gidwitz insists on intruding on events as an omniscient narrator. I hate this kind of storytelling. It completely breaks the immersion to have this unnecessary intrusion on the situation. It feels as if the author doesn't trust their audience or wants to force the reader to experience the book from their specific, narrow perspective. In this case Gidwitz seemed obsessed with the idea that the reader know that this was the 'real' story no holds barred. And constantly reiterating how dark this story is or telling little kids to leave the room if it's too much has the exact opposite effect. I'm a squeamish adult, but even for me the subject matter isn't all that bad. I've read more unsettling or creepy middle grade stuff before; which makes it even worse. This barely scratches the surfact yet Gidwitz is hyping the material like it's Stephen King for kids. It honestly feels very out of touch adult underestimating kids. Kids can handle way more than you'd think, on that we agree. However, I feel as if Gidwitz is still coming from a place of underestimation if he feels as if this book is particularly out there. It also feels as if I'm reading Gidwitz's random thoughts he jotted down as he wrote. At one point he tells this anecdote about how he used to come to the sad part in books and he'd try to disassociate himself from the moment in order to guard against the hurt. This has absolutely no benefit to the story. I am naturally processing my emotions as I read. If I need to take a moment for myself I will do that. I don't need a narration to interrupt the book in an attempt to relate to me or cushion the blow.
Outside of that glaring issue everything else is merely okay. Hansel and Gretel tripping through lesser known fairytales. Then around halfway it finally becomes one continuous story. I would have preferred if this were like a traditional novel in that it's one long story the whole time and the chapter breaks were used where they worked the best in the narrative. Instead the breaks are clearly delineated lines between the fairytales. This hurts the overall narrative as it feels less like one story that Hansel and Gretel are driving forward and more like a series of reimagined fairytales featuring Hansel and Gretel. Eventually the story does becomes more linear. Despite this change, the chapters being so specifically defined continues, which is unfortunate. Every single chapter starts off with 'once upon a time' adding to how disjointed it felt.
The characters aren't developed at all. There clearly is supposed to be an arc of the kids coming into their own by the end except the detached way the story is conveyed left me feeling entirely unsympathetic to the kids' plights. They're two dull kids who randomly decide to stop being...selfish? I guess? They don't really have any faults to overcome. Gretel also noticeably has more to do and more significance than Hansel; a decision that made me question why the twins were chosen as the backbone of the story in the first place.
There was never any suspense because Gidwitz was always telegraphing what was coming next. This made the book a slog most of the time.
I was taken in by the cover and the promise of a fun, edgy spin on a popular tale. Admittedly, this book did have its own original take on Hansel and Gretel. I did like the actual concept. It just wasted its potential in the execution.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Loved the narrator breaking the 3rd or 4th wall and just step in between stories to warn you for parts that are gruesome or that it isn't the end and many other things. Really laughed a lot while reading those.
Also loved that all the stories though separate got woven into one big story.
Also loved that all the stories though separate got woven into one big story.
vtsarahd's review against another edition
3.0
I purchased this book for my fourth grade classroom as it was nominated for the Nutmeg Book Award in Connecticut for the intermediate grades. While the book started off entertainingly and I enjoyed the narrator's interjections throughout the text, the content was very disturbing and a bit much for elementary students. The book was well-written and each fairy tale was cleverly woven in with the next, but I might think twice if I were buying it for a child that is sensitive to violent content.
puzzlegirl30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
akookieforyou's review against another edition
4.0
I was actually pleasantly surprised by how much I liked and enjoyed this semi-retelling of fairy tales.
mbenzz's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this! I was afraid it was gonna be cheesy and childish, but it's actually really good! It's not something that should be read to children under 10 (as the author mentions numerous times throughout the book), but it's certainly a book that grown-ups who love their Grimm stories can get into! Glad I gave it a shot...getting ready to start book 2 in the series!
katdfleming's review against another edition
4.0
My fourth grade students (boys particularly) LOVED this book/series. They had a long waiting line for it and asked our librarian to order copies for the school library. (Which she did.) GREAT for reluctant readers.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
From the book cover Reader: beware. Warlocks with dark spells, hunters with deadly aim, and bakers with ovens retrofitted for cooking children lurk within these pages. But if you dare, turn the page and learn the true story of Hansel and Gretel – the story behind and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches. Come on in. It may be frightening, it’s certainly bloody, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but unlike those other fairy tales you know, this one is true.
My reaction
What a wild – and disturbingly scary – ride! Gadwitz returns to the original Grimm tales, which were much darker and violent than what we commonly tell our children today, and makes them even scarier, darker, more violent, gory, disgusting, disturbing and nightmare-producing. In fairness, he does frequently include an aside warning that “little kids should be sent to the movies with the babysitter – NOW” before the bloodier more disturbing sections.
Children (and adults) meet horrific injuries and deaths here – beheadings, eviscerations, even cutting one’s own finger off. Parents kill their children. Children murder their parents. As Hansel and Gretel make their way through the book they are tortured, beaten, starved (or fattened), cold, hungry, alone and frightened. There is no one they can trust, as adult after adult betrays them. It is a bleak world, indeed, this kingdom of Grimm. It’s also quite an adventure and the children are brave, steadfast, intelligent, resourceful, courageous and pure.
My library shelves Gadwitz’s books in the YA section, but I know that some consider it appropriate for younger children. I don’t think I would give it to children under age 9, and not even to the more sensitive children under age 12.
My reaction
What a wild – and disturbingly scary – ride! Gadwitz returns to the original Grimm tales, which were much darker and violent than what we commonly tell our children today, and makes them even scarier, darker, more violent, gory, disgusting, disturbing and nightmare-producing. In fairness, he does frequently include an aside warning that “little kids should be sent to the movies with the babysitter – NOW” before the bloodier more disturbing sections.
Children (and adults) meet horrific injuries and deaths here – beheadings, eviscerations, even cutting one’s own finger off. Parents kill their children. Children murder their parents. As Hansel and Gretel make their way through the book they are tortured, beaten, starved (or fattened), cold, hungry, alone and frightened. There is no one they can trust, as adult after adult betrays them. It is a bleak world, indeed, this kingdom of Grimm. It’s also quite an adventure and the children are brave, steadfast, intelligent, resourceful, courageous and pure.
My library shelves Gadwitz’s books in the YA section, but I know that some consider it appropriate for younger children. I don’t think I would give it to children under age 9, and not even to the more sensitive children under age 12.
misspippireads's review
4.0
"Are there any small children in the room now? If so, it would be best if you just...hurried them off to bed. Because this is where things start to get, well...awesome. But in a horrible, bloody kind of way."
If you prefer not to read about blood, gore, fights and magic, I would pass this title up...well, maybe. I would have to agree with the quote, it is awesome. Awesome, as in the definition of awe. Gidwitz put the classic tales and gave them new twists, while maintaining the old feel of blood, guts and gore. The original tales are not pretty. The original tales were gathered from the German people at that time and the folklore was bloody. Life is not always happy ever afters and those original tales reflected that feeling of right and wrong, revenge and reward. If you enjoy a good fairytale, find a copy of A Tale Dark & Grimm. Gidwitz wove the tale of Hansel and Gretal, but he offers a couple more stories on his website at http://www.adamgidwitz.com/tales-dark-new.
Johnny Heller returns to read! I previously heard him read Flawed Dogs and Al Capone Does My Shirts. I enjoy listening to him read. When I placed the first CD in the player, it felt like welcoming a friend back. Thanks for a great listen, Johnny.
Reviewed from a library copy.
If you prefer not to read about blood, gore, fights and magic, I would pass this title up...well, maybe. I would have to agree with the quote, it is awesome. Awesome, as in the definition of awe. Gidwitz put the classic tales and gave them new twists, while maintaining the old feel of blood, guts and gore. The original tales are not pretty. The original tales were gathered from the German people at that time and the folklore was bloody. Life is not always happy ever afters and those original tales reflected that feeling of right and wrong, revenge and reward. If you enjoy a good fairytale, find a copy of A Tale Dark & Grimm. Gidwitz wove the tale of Hansel and Gretal, but he offers a couple more stories on his website at http://www.adamgidwitz.com/tales-dark-new.
Johnny Heller returns to read! I previously heard him read Flawed Dogs and Al Capone Does My Shirts. I enjoy listening to him read. When I placed the first CD in the player, it felt like welcoming a friend back. Thanks for a great listen, Johnny.
Reviewed from a library copy.
blackberryblues's review against another edition
4.0
Good for its demographic. A Tale Dark and Grimm is the sort of book that lingers in the back of your throat after you read it.