Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears

Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears is a 1995 anthology of reimagined fairy tales edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling. The collection features contributions from acclaimed authors including Joyce Carol Oates, Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, and Gene Wolfe. The anthology presents twenty-two stories that transform traditional fairy tales into contemporary narratives. Classic stories like The Wizard of Oz, Sleeping Beauty, and Hansel and Gretel are retold from new perspectives and in different settings. The stories range from dark fantasy to horror, exploring adult themes and complex interpretations of familiar tales. Each author brings their distinct style and voice to their chosen fairy tale, creating unique variations on timeless stories. These retellings examine themes of transformation, power, and human nature, while challenging traditional fairy tale conventions and expected outcomes. The collection demonstrates how classic stories can be reimagined to reflect modern sensibilities and concerns.

Readers note this anthology delivers darker, more gothic takes on fairy tales compared to the previous volumes in the series. Positives cited include Victoria Tarbert's "The Beast" for its haunting atmosphere and Pat Murphy's "The True Story" for its feminist perspective. Several reviewers appreciated the experimental nature of Susan Wade's "Golden Fur" and the fresh interpretations of classic tales. Common criticisms mention uneven quality between stories, with some readers finding certain entries pretentious or difficult to follow. A few reviews note that the collection gets weighed down by similar themes of sexuality and violence. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.83/5 (489 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "Some truly innovative reimaginings mixed with stories that try too hard to be edgy." Another noted: "The darker tone works well for most stories but becomes repetitive by the end." Reviews indicate this collection appeals more to readers seeking literary interpretations rather than traditional retellings.

Black Swan, White Raven by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling This anthology presents reimagined fairy tales with dark undertones and modern twists from multiple authors.

Snow White, Blood Red by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling A collection of classic fairy tales retold with mature themes and contemporary settings transforms familiar stories into complex narratives.

The Starlit Wood by Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe Authors from different genres rewrite fairy tales in new settings, from space stations to wild west frontiers.

My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me by Kate Bernheimer Forty contemporary writers retell fairy tales through different cultural lenses and narrative styles.

The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter A collection of traditional fairy tales transformed into gothic tales with feminist themes and psychological depth.

🌟 The anthology's title alludes to multiple fairy tales, with "Ruby Slippers" referencing The Wizard of Oz and "Golden Tears" echoing various tales featuring magical transformations involving gold. 🌟 Editor Ellen Datlow has won multiple prestigious awards, including nine World Fantasy Awards, six Hugo Awards, and the 2007 Karl Edward Wagner Award for her outstanding contribution to the genre. 🌟 Neil Gaiman's contribution to this collection came during the same period he was writing "Stardust," his own acclaimed adult fairy tale novel, showing his deep engagement with fairy tale reimaginings in the 1990s. 🌟 This collection is part of a six-book series of adult fairy tale anthologies, with other titles including "Snow White, Blood Red" and "Black Thorn, White Rose." 🌟 Co-editor Terri Windling pioneered the modern movement of adult fairy tale retellings through her Fairy Tale Series of novels, which began publishing in 1987 with Steven Brust's "The Sun, The Moon, and the Stars."