Can't Catch Me: And Other Twice-Told Tales [Paperback]

Michael Cadnum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

Rekindling the excitement of adored childhood stories, this award-winning author uses unexpected points of view to deftly twist the themes of classic folktales. From the unrepentent Gingerbread Man and his tirades against overprotective parents, meddlesome neighbors, and untrustworthy foxes, to the giant's wife who simply wants Jack out of the picture so that she and her mate may continue collaborating on poetry, these ironic tales introduce complex, emotional topics within a familiar context. This sophisticated collection of rearranged myths features six previously unpublished works.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Concise writing cuts to the heart of the matter in this droll collection from National Book Award–finalist Cadnum (The Book of the Lion), whether it be a certain gingerbread boy's overbearing parents in the title story or a ghostly Ophelia bent on her own secret revenge in "Or Be to Not." Even the most urbane bears can be brought low when entrapped by a crusading pro-human Goldilocks in "Bear It Away," while a certain giant's wife manages to create a happy ending after a young thief escapes by beanstalk in "Mrs. Big." "Medusa," "Daphne" and "Give Him the Eye" offer stark insight into the behavior of Greek gods and goddesses as well as the brutal side of love. Meanwhile, elves, no matter how gifted, find little welcome when faced with human suspicions in "Naked Little Men" and "Elf Trap," while "Together Again" gives the truth behind that old nursery rhyme about a lord named Humpty Dumpty. Both adult and YA readers will enjoy this quirky assemblage of 18 traditional tales with a modern edge. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A writer to watch and enjoy." —Patricia A. McKillip, author, The Book of Atrix Wolfe

"Cadnum delves more into the psyche of the protagonist than fairy tales ever do."  —BookLoons

"[Cadnum] tangos with tart truths, waltzes with acerbic wit, and often and dances in the dark."  —Fantasy Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Tachyon Publications (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892391333
• ISBN-13: 978-1892391339
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,171,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Cadnum is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion.  A two-time Edgar Allen Poe Award nominee, and an award-winning poet, Cadnum's work is widely acclaimed.

He lives in Albany, California, across the bay from San Francisco, with his wife Sherina.

For more of the latest on Cadnum and his work visit his website www.MichaelCadnum.com
 

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "like something Kipling might have written", April 23, 2006

By 

busy reader (Waltham, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can't Catch Me: And Other Twice-Told Tales (Paperback)

I found this delightful book quite by accident while looking for another title by this wonderful author for my daughter. Can't Catch Me collects 18 whimsical tales, all retellings of familiar stories. "Bear It Away," is Goldilocks transformed into something Kipling might have written for his "Just So Stories": "How Bears Lost the Ability to Speak." "Can't Catch Me" retells the Gingerbread Man. "P-Bird" is the Phoenix. And so on. But although half the stories in this volume retell classic fairy tales, the stories are much more than that. They take familiar stories and make them magical again. For adults, for children, for anybody who grew up reading for the pleasure of discovery.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing compendium of new-age tellings, April 10, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can't Catch Me: And Other Twice-Told Tales (Paperback)

Can't Catch Me And Other Twice Told Tales by Michael Cadnum is an outstanding collection of interesting and insightful lore drawn from history and retold with a modernized and compelling philosophical perspective of contemporary wisdom and collective post-situation knowledge. Diligently feeding its readers with advice and worldly understandings of these once ancient tales of long ago and far away, Can't Catch Me gives the reader an intriguing compendium of new-age tellings. Can't Catch Me is very highly recommended for general fiction, philosophy, historical, myth, folklore enthusiasts for its adroit grasp of these ancient "twice-told" tales.

5.0 out of 5 stars "Words are alive.", November 3, 2011

By 

Kimberly Wade "Kimberly Todd Wade (author)" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can't Catch Me: And Other Twice-Told Tales (Paperback)

As I keep saying, fairy tales are not for me--until another great writer comes along to prove me wrong! The latest to do so is Michael Cadnum with Can't Catch Me. It's no surprise Cadnum is a poet. His prose is spare and lyrical, though easily accessible. All the stories in this collection are told in the first person POV, so we're granted direct access to the inner lives of such characters as Goldilocks and the Gingerbread Man. These retellings delight, but my favorite tales are the ones that include characters from Greek mythology. "Hungry" is a creepy, atmospheric horror story that delivers chills without gross-outs or splatter. "P-Bird" is a humor story with a great fabulist twist ending. Most of these stories would be appropriate to read to children, but a few of them do have adult themes and language. The book also has a beautiful cover illustration by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law.

This book was include in the gift bag I received at World Fantasy Con 2011.