Once Upon a Time: A Treasury of Modern Fairy Tales [Hardcover]

Lester Del Rey (Editor), Rita Kessler (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 23, 1991

Ten of the top writers of fantasy present their views of the ways and byways of fairyland:
ISAAC ASIMOV -- A most unusual knight meets an even more unusual dragon.
TERRY BROOKS -- A boy and an elf discover courage conquers more than monsters.
C.J. CHERRYH -- Three wishes -- and the strangest love story ever told.
LESTER DEL REY -- The little princess didn't really believe in a fairy godmother.
SUSAN DEXTER -- The hermit boy didn't know that his pet fawn was a unicorn.
WAYLAND DREW -- Each traveler claimed precedence -- until a stranger joined them.
BARBARA HAMBLY -- Three strange children from a dragon's lair were loved, until . . .
KATHERINE KURTZ -- A fairy learns of faith and love from a holy man.
ANNE McCAFFREY -- Humans and the descendants of Pegasus seek to escape their prison.
LAWRENCE WATT-EVANS -- Killing a dragon is easy -- once one knows how.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This collection of 10 well written stories nicely illustrates the concept that fairy tale themes are universal, and that modern fantasy writers can give them a sophisticated, psychological and realistic approach while still providing a sense of wonder for all ages. In Barbara Hambly's Changeling, a hard-working Marchlord slays the dragon devastating his countryside and brings home to his wife and children what he finds in its lair: a mute child with two unusual companions. Anne McCaffrey's "The Quest of a Sensible Man" features a prince who seeks a suitable mate for his flying horse. The eponymous "Thistledown" in Susan Dexter's tale is a unicorn colt saved from from predatory hounds by a mute boy suspected of witchcraft. The spoiled princess in "The Fairy Godmother," by Lester del Rey, learns the rudiments of wise rule when she is taken in by an old couple after an attempted abduction. In Wayland Drew's "The Old Soul," an old woman's tale of the fall of a powerful city jolts three travelers out of their self-important lives . Illustrations not seen by PW .
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-- In these ten short stories, YAs will sample the sure, skillful craftsmanship of Isaac Asimov, Terry Brooks, C. J. Cherryh, Lester del Rey, Susan Dexter, Wayland Drew, Barbara Hambly, Katherine Kurtz, Anne McCaffrey, and Lawrence Watt-Evans. Dragons, witches, princesses, princes, and others inhabit these modern tales of myth and magic. The text, full of wit, playfulness, imagery, and spirituality, is enhanced by the beautiful illustrations. A superb addition to any collection, this volume is a treasure.
- Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; 1st edition (October 23, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345362632
• ISBN-13: 978-0345362636
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,067,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, Wayland Drew's Story is Worth The Price Alone, December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Once Upon a Time: A Treasury of Modern Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

Simply a masterpiece of a book. Some funny stories, some serious all very original. Wayland Drew's story may even affect the way you think about your life. The Old Soul is one of the best short stories I have ever read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I cannot believe that I finally found it!, October 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Once Upon a Time: A Treasury of Modern Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

For six years I have been searching for this collection. How many libraries and book stores have I searched since leaving this book on my elementary school's shelf six years ago? Once upon a Time's stories may be modern, but have already become classic in my memories of childhood. I memorized every one. Each is more real to me than my own life was; every tale has become engrained in my consciousness. Moreover, its illustrations were exquisite; enthralling; inspiring.They burned their surreal images into my memory and flicker coaxingly where reality meets dream; where conscious meets subconscious. And there also lay the hope of finding this childhood friend, this inspiration, once more. Its stories have become fabled within me: intangible and elusive as the dreams they teased, and yet I am sure that this old book will live up to its legend when I hold it in my hands and gaze into its glimmering illustrations again.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tales that will stay in your mind for YEARS! Excellent book!, January 16, 1998

By 

Aine MacDermot (Ontonagon, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Upon a Time: A Treasury of Modern Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

Regardless of what the "experts" say, I would recommend this book to everyone!
The stories are very well-thought-out and they will stick in your mind for years (as they have mine!) The artwork in this book is FANTASTIC, as well (I wish someone would sell prints of some of these). Personally, I stumbled upon this book by accident... and it has become one of those that I will save for my children, and re-read, throughout the years.
BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!! Right now, don't even hesitate!