Politically Correct, the Ultimate Storybook: Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, Once upon a More Enlightened Time, and Politically Correct Holiday Stories [Hardcover]

James Finn Garner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Bedtime stories will never again be the same--at least not after reading James Finn Garner, who, in surprisingly true Fairy Godmother fashion, waved his authorial wand and revised a large collection of fairy tales and holiday lore in Politically Correct: The Ultimate Storybook. This volume compiles his three separately published books, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, Once Upon a More Enlightened Time, and Politically Correct Holiday Stories, examining the many "isms," whether glaringly obvious or more subtle, inherent in traditional favorites.

The tales begin similarly to their Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson predecessors, but veer suddenly to incorporate non-offensive, politically correct language and modern issues that range from overzealous lawyers to rampant real estate development to the destruction of the environment. Garner refashions over two dozen tales including Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, plucking damsels and the disenfranchised from captive plot lines, increasing their self-awareness, spunk and dialogue ten-fold, then settles them comfortably back into tales where they can live happily ever after as confident, happy, successful entrepreneurs with a social mission.

The disclaimers preceding each of the three sections, as well as the abundant use of politically correct speech throughout the collection, appears at times more of a pointed mockery than a true attempt to enlighten stories locked in medieval thought. The tales do however, offer a witty and clever alternative to spoon-fed tradition. --Mara Shurgot

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Smithmark Pub (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765108674
• ISBN-13: 978-0765108678
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James Finn Garner's best known book is "Politically Correct Bedtime Stories", which spent 64 weeks on the New York Times Best-seller list, including six weeks in the top position. The book was also a best-seller in England and Canada, and has been translated into more than 25 languages. Its sequels, "Once Upon A More Enlightened Time" and "Politically Correct Holiday Stories", were also best sellers sold around the world.

His most recent book is the seminal Clown Noir, "Honk Honk, My Darling: A Rex Koko, Private Clown Mystery." His other books include "Recut Madness: Favorite Films Retold for Your Partisan Pleasure" and "Apocalypse WOW: A Memoir for the End of Time".

A former columnist with Chicago Magazine, Garner has broadcast commentaries on National Public Radio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hysterical, Facetious Reflection of our own Monster, September 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Politically Correct, the Ultimate Storybook: Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, Once upon a More Enlightened Time, and Politically Correct Holiday Stories (Hardcover)

"Politically Correct Bedtime Stories" is, in truth, a hilarious book that will have you busting at the seams. However, it is also a mocking reflection of the Monster we have created that we call "Political Correctness." One excerpt that had me cringing was from "Chicken Little" when Henny Penny tends her garden with "...no fertilizer, insecticide, and no herbicide and allowed the various non-edible types of wildflower (sometimes called weeds) to mingle with her food crop..." Garner is indeed hysterical, but it also makes you step back and think a minute. What has our society really become? Is it really necessary to distinguish that Little Red Riding Hood is a "person" and not a "girl?" Since when was it offensive to denote someone's gender? I salute Mr. Garner on his awesome achievement, and I hope it shakes up people's minds as much as it shakes them up with laughter.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fun!, February 22, 2000

By 

Lorrie (Deerfield, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Politically Correct, the Ultimate Storybook: Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, Once upon a More Enlightened Time, and Politically Correct Holiday Stories (Hardcover)

When one has read every fairy tale out there, it's refreshing to come to one that has put a new twist on the old classics. It pokes fun at everybody by attempting to poke fun at nobody. Warning! Do not read this book if you are a person who takes things too seriously. If you're actually worried about every single person who may be offended by something, then this book probably isn't for you. For those of you who like to laugh at society, though, and the silly things we all say, then you've come to the right place. It's a more enlightened time, surely, when we are finally able to laugh at ourselves. Besides that, even though stories like "The Duckling That Was Judged On Its Personal Merits And Not On Its Physical Appearance," were deleted due to space reasons, this book will leave you in stitches!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the funniest books I have ever read., September 21, 1999

By 

Paul Jones "bookmanpaul" (Peyton, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Politically Correct, the Ultimate Storybook: Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, Once upon a More Enlightened Time, and Politically Correct Holiday Stories (Hardcover)

James Finn Garner has taken the Politically Correct movement to its logical extreme in Politically Correct, the Ultimtate Storybook and shown just how truly ridiculous it is. These stories are best read aloud to a group. However, you may have trouble finishing the story due to the necessary pauses while waiting for the laughter to die down.