Fractured Fairy Tales [Paperback]

A.J. Jacobs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 1999

Long before Politically Correct Bedtime Stories invaded bookstores, Americans were getting their giggles from Fractured Fairy Tales, those delightfully twisted parables brought to us between the cliffhanger adventures of our favorite cartoon heroes, Rocky & Bullwinkle. This collection, illustrated with classic art from the animated series includes the comical retelling of 25 classics such as Pinocchio (who starred in his own variety show "The Pinocchio Doody Show"), Jack and the Beanstalk (did you know that Jack grew a beanstalk in the outfield so he could catch fly balls for his baseball team?), or King Midas (who became a dentist so he could give his patients gold fillings). This satirical humor loved for so long by so many, is a must-have for fans of the show and anyone who loves classic fairy tales--with a twist.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Long before Politically Correct Bedtime Stories invaded bookstores, Americans were getting their giggles from Fractured Fairy Tales, those delightfully twisted parables brought to us between the cliffhanger adventures of our favorite cartoon heroes, Rocky & Bullwinkle. This collection, illustrated with classic art from the animated series includes the comical retelling of 25 classics such as Pinocchio (who starred in his own variety show "The Pinocchio Doody Show"), Jack and the Beanstalk (did you know that Jack grew a beanstalk in the outfield so he could catch fly balls for his baseball team?), or King Midas (who became a dentist so he could give his patients gold fillings). This satirical humor loved for so long by so many, is a must-have for fans of the show and anyone who loves classic fairy tales--with a twist. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Inside Flap

Long before Politically Correct Bedtime Stories invaded bookstores, Americans were getting their giggles from Fractured Fairy Tales, those delightfully twisted parables brought to us between the cliffhanger adventures of our favorite cartoon heroes, Rocky & Bullwinkle. This collection, illustrated with classic art from the animated series includes the comical retelling of 25 classics such as Pinocchio (who starred in his own variety show "The Pinocchio Doody Show"), Jack and the Beanstalk (did you know that Jack grew a beanstalk in the outfield so he could catch fly balls for his baseball team?), or King Midas (who became a dentist so he could give his patients gold fillings). This satirical humor loved for so long by so many, is a must-have for fans of the show and anyone who loves classic fairy tales--with a twist.


From the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (January 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553373730
• ISBN-13: 978-0553373738
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A.J. Jacobs is the editor of What It Feels Like and the author of The Two Kings: Jesus and Elvis and America Off-Line. He is the senior editor of Esquire and has written for The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, New York magazine, New York Observer, and other publications.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No nostalgia here...save your money., August 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fractured Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

When I happened to find this book, I was instantly swept back to the 1960s: Rocky & Bullwinkle, Edward Everett Horton, Aesop, etc. I hoped this book would continue that pleasant nostalgic feeling.

Instead, Jacobs' book took me on a boring, fractured, intolerable ride. The only similarities between what Jay Ward did back then and what Jacobs has published are the artwork (which is minimal) and a few story titles.

Jacobs is neither clever, witty, nor original. All he has done is to introduce some fractured 1990s' buzzwords (for example, Beverly Hills 90210) into these charming classics.

Don't waste your money...watch the reruns on The Cartoon Network instead.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not What I Expected But Still Good, January 14, 2001

By 

"guido_joe" (VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fractured Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

I bought "Fractured Fairy Tales" thinking I was going to get the original fairy tales that were in "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show" instead; I got a modern version of the fairy tales they were not as good as the original but were still good just the same. I suggest that if u want the original stories save your money and watch the reruns but if you just want I good laugh buy this book.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Nostalgia - Exactly, April 27, 2001

By 

Jack Lokensky (Pomona, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fractured Fairy Tales (Paperback)

No, it's not Edward Everett Horton. This is a derivative work of the original Jay Ward Version. If you liked the old - you should like these. They are hysterical and relayed with the same wit as the ones from the Rocky & Bullwinkle TV show; however, they are not those stories!!