Grimm Retold Reviewed by Logan Lynch
Grimm Retold (Speculation Publications), edited by LCW Allingham and River Eno, embraces the darkest parts of beloved Grimm fairytales while refreshing each one for a modern audience. This collection explores varying power dynamics, revenge, and justice with surgical precision and in stunning prose. With perfectly eerie stories from Tanith Lee, J.R. Harlow, TT Madden, and more, this collection grips readers and pulls them through tales fraught with despair, gore, and other disturbing themes.
F. Ffrench’s “Rampion (The Hungry Girl)” is a perfect reimaging of “Rapunzel” about two fierce women who operate by a naturally Grimm logic. In this tale, a man struggles to find the food his pregnant wife craves and turns to a witch for help. When her offer is too much to consider, he makes a difficult choice, and his new daughter suffers the consequences. Ffrench’s writing successfully balances classic fairy tale tropes with eerie depictions of cannibalism for a masterfully executed story that honors the Grimm legacy.
David Kenneth Mitchell’s “The Elves and the Shoemaker” follows Luke, a struggling cobbler, as he creates a collection of head-turning shoes for a pro footballer. This humorous story takes a bloody turn when Luke receives some unexpected help. Mitchell’s flawless character creation is apparent in Luke’s new devotion to his elven helpers and their high-brow human taxidermy. In a story with darkly comical “why not?” moments, Mitchell sprinkles in critiques of fast fashion and the social media-focused younger generations, updating the tale by juxtaposing the old and the new.
“Wilful” by Jade Jiao follows cynical and egotistical Martha in the wake of her young daughter’s death. Feeling their relationship was a constant tug-of-war, Martha is ready for the competition to end—that is, until Samantha’s arm pops up during her funeral. Jiao’s writing skillfully evokes the eternal tension of mother-daughter relationships with loaded gazes and short-lived standoffs. Navigating themes of self-absorption, judgment, and blame, Jiao’s characterization of Martha and her internal world creates the perfect platter for this morbid tale.
“Fitcher’s Chick” by Ef Deal is a beautiful and haunting retelling of “Fitcher’s Bird” with elevated themes of sisterhood, grief, and retribution for sexual assault. The story follows Grethel as she rises through the ranks of Fitcher’s drum corps, enduring a mix of support and cryptic warnings from other girls. On one cold night after a performance, Grethel learns the true meaning of those warnings and sets Fitcher’s world ablaze. In this story, Ef Deal perfectly captures the complexities of strained sisterhood and trauma alongside a powerful dose of feminine rage, providing readers with a fiery catharsis.
The stories here beautifully balance classic fairytale feelings with a refreshingly modern tone. While a few stories fell flat for me, the ones I enjoyed made it impossible to pick a favorite. Grimm Retold covers an impressive range of horrid experiences in often unique and grotesque voices, making it the perfect read for anyone who truly loves fairytale horror. Intensely eerie, these stories will haunt you long after you put the book down.
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Logan Lynch is studying English Language and Literature at Stevenson University and the publishing intern with Neon Hemlock. They are also the Associate Editor at The Greenspring Review, Stevenson’s literary and media magazine, where you can find some of their writing. They live in Maryland.