My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me

My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me presents forty new fairy tales from contemporary writers who reimagine classic folklore traditions. This anthology, edited by Kate Bernheimer and Carmen Giménez Smith, brings together authors from diverse backgrounds to create original stories rooted in fairy tale elements. The collection features works from notable writers including Neil Gaiman, Michael Cunningham, and Joyce Carol Oates. Each story maintains connections to traditional fairy tale structures while introducing modern perspectives and innovative narrative approaches. The anthology won the 2011 World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology, marking its significance in contemporary fantasy literature. The contributors draw from various cultural traditions, from Grimm's fairy tales to lesser-known folkloric sources. The stories explore timeless themes of transformation, desire, and the complex relationships between parents and children, while questioning conventional fairy tale morality and expanding the boundaries of the genre.

Readers note this anthology provides modern retellings of classic fairy tales from diverse authors. The collection receives consistent 4-star ratings across platforms. Liked: - Fresh interpretations while maintaining dark fairy tale elements - Inclusion of lesser-known folk tales alongside familiar stories - Authors' notes explaining their inspirations and choices - Mix of writing styles from literary to experimental Disliked: - Uneven quality between stories - Some entries feel too abstract or academic - Several readers found certain stories pretentious - Length (500+ pages) intimidating for casual readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (80+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings) Review quotes: "Like finding hidden treasures in familiar territory" - Goodreads reviewer "Some stories brilliant, others impenetrable" - Amazon review "Worth it for Neil Gaiman's contribution alone" - LibraryThing member

Kissing the Witch by Emma Donoghue Dark retellings of classic fairy tales explore female relationships and power dynamics through interconnected stories that subvert traditional narratives.

The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter This collection transforms familiar fairy tales into gothic stories of female desire, violence, and transformation.

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado These stories blend fairy tale elements with horror and magical realism to examine women's experiences of trauma and sexuality.

The Merry Spinster by Daniel M. Lavery Folk tales and children's literature receive unsettling twists that challenge gender roles and familial relationships.

White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi This novel weaves fairy tale motifs into a haunted house story that explores inheritance, identity, and motherhood across generations.

🌟 The title comes from a Romanian folk tale "The Story of the Boy Who Went Forth to Learn Fear," hinting at the dark origins of many fairy tales 🌟 Editor Kate Bernheimer founded and edits the Fairy Tale Review, the first literary journal dedicated exclusively to fairy tales since 1927 🌟 Contributors include literary heavyweights like Neil Gaiman, Michael Cunningham, and Joyce Carol Oates, alongside emerging voices in contemporary fiction 🌟 Many stories in the collection draw from lesser-known folk tales from cultures beyond the familiar Western European canon, including Japanese, Russian, and Native American traditions 🌟 The book includes author commentaries explaining their relationships with the original tales they chose to reimagine, providing unique insights into the creative process