Fractured Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

by A.J. Jacobs (Author) "Once upon a time there was a witch named Grizelka who chalked up a very enviable record when it came to witchery..." (more)
Key Phrases: terrible troll, funny little man, handsome young prince, King Midas, Herman Cappachino, Snow White (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Long before there were "Politically Correct Bedtime Stories", Americans were getting their giggles from "Fractured Fairy Tales", a regular feature on "Rocky and Bullwinkle" in the 1960s. Now, for the first time, these delightfully warped parables are available in read-aloud book form, illustrated with classic art from the show.

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Later Printing edition (November 3, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553099809
• ISBN-13: 978-0553099805
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #906,969 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not What I Expected But Still Good, January 15, 2001

By	"guido_joe" (VA) - See all my reviews

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.

11 of 13 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!!