13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unique and beautiful, November 26, 2002
This review is from: The Ogre's Wife - Fairy Tales for Grownups (Paperback)
This is a fantastic book, in every sense of that word. I've seen Parks' stories in a lot of magazines, and while I always remembered the story, I didn't always realize that the guy who wrote it was the same guy who wrote that =other= story I liked--and that other one, and that other one... "Oh, wow, that was him too?" Finally, here's a collection of his works all in one place, side by side. This is like buffet night at your favorite restaurant. Yum!
Anyone who's enjoyed the Datlow/Windling fairytale-retellings series should pick up this book. But there's a lot more going on here than just the Grimms reimagined. Fairy tales can take many forms. There are ghost stories here and science fiction stories and stories that defy genrification. Parks draws from a variety of world cultures and mythologies ... all the diverse manifestations of the collective unconscious. Looking back over the collection after I read it, I was surprised that the individual stories weren't longer--each one packs a lot of punch into an economical space. They're completely readable--and rereadable. And the sense of wonder ... I don't know how Parks manages to be so profound and down-to-earth at the same time. It's quite a gift.
For some reason I'm reminded of Andy Duncan and Michael Bishop. Maybe that's not so strange; all three of them are writers with unique sensibilities and styles, difficult to categorize, wide-ranging in subject matter, and generally brilliant. Or maybe it's a geographical association in my mind. Still, it might be useful information, so I recommend Parks to any other Bishop and Duncan fans out there, too.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bravo, October 21, 2002
This review is from: The Ogre's Wife - Fairy Tales for Grownups (Paperback)
I finished this easily one afternoon and evening, taking time out between each story to do small chores and odd jobs. The stories are so readable that one is tempted to gobble them like popcorn, and they're too good to be treated that way. You have to let each one sink in before going on to the next. Also, they're all so different in style and content that it's best to come to each one after a short intermission, ready for a different experience. A really fine collection. I'd like to read more by him.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A read-aloud collection, February 28, 2003
This review is from: The Ogre's Wife - Fairy Tales for Grownups (Paperback)
If you thrilled to The Brothers Grimm when you were twelve this collection is for you. This short story collection is exceptional and I am sure you will enjoy it. The stories range from fairy tales - not for children - to science fiction to supernatural and all retain a nice distictive style that should leave you with a "Oh Yeah" feeling.
Judgement Day is God's monolog and you just have to read it to see where the author takes you. Doing Time In the Wild Hunt says a lot about husbands and wives in a small space and might make you think about picking up some flowers on the way home. Then sit down and read aloud to her, or him, The Orges Wife; the best read-aloud story I have read in a long time. Doppels touches on the same husband/wife theme but in a science fiction setting. All the other stories are great. A fine collection. If you are a short story fan pick it up, you''ll be pleased.
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