Review: Fable

Ashenputtel ~illustration by Ricardo Jorge

Fable by various authors
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Source: complete digital copy courtesy of publisher

When I was first approached for a review for this collection of stories, I’ve not heard of The Pigeonhole previously.  It’s an interesting concept of serialised books accompanied with rich illustrations and the capability to discuss, with readers and authors, one’s thoughts on margins.  A stave is released per week so you’d have something to look forward to, in the week; just like looking forward on receiving that shiny new mags.  I couldn’t say no since Kate Forsyth, one of my favourite authors, was contributing to this particular book.

This collection of short stories (or fables) are divided into 8 staves.  The first stave contained 2 classics: Ashenputtel by Brothers Grimm (better known these days as Cinderella) and The LIttle Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson.  Both are very well known stories featuring intelligent and courageous girls with a happy and an unhappy ending each.  And so, the tone of the book is set… all stories featured bright, resourceful girls each unique with their own real struggles of life (whether it be identity, love, equality, justice, etc.) and some emerged victorious.

‘I fear you not, I shall hold fast,’ she said.  ‘You are my one true love and I shall not leg you go.’ ~Heart of Flesh, Heart of Stone: a Retelling of ‘The Ballad of Tam Lin’ by Kate Forsyth

The Farmer and the Badger ~illustration by Ricardo Jorge

Typically, fables are short in length but clear in its message, utilising mythical beings or nature to illustrate their meanings.  The stories in these collections (the old, the new, the new but old stories) have set forward life lessons but have also incorporate some modern (even recent) issues.  These are stories that will never age… no matter how old you are, which century you live in, there are lessons to be learnt.

Whilst I’m familiar with Kate Forsyth’s works (many fantasy novels and a few fairy tale retellings), I don’t know any of the other authors.  I loved Forsyth’s wonderful characters here (was a little sad that the stories were short!) but was gratified with the array of talent in the proceeding staves.  I’m looking forward to getting to know these new authors better.  Do check out these stories, there are so many things to be dissected and discussed!

Thanks to The Pigeonhole for copy of book in exchange of honest review