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oyceterThe Armless Maiden is a collection of stories and poems (and the occasional essay) of fairy-tale rewrites, much like Windling and Ellen Datlow's Snow White, Blood Red series of anthologies (which I love and own all of). This one is a themed anthology, however; Windling notes that many of the pre-Victorian versions of fairy tales are on the dangers of childhood, on how mothers and fathers can be just as deadly as the wolf in the woods, and how children conquer and overcome these dangers and hardships. Some of the stories and poems are more suited to this theme than others, but then, some of my favorite stories are ones that don't quite fit. So I'm not really arguing.
Particular stories I liked: Jane Yolen's "Allerleirauh," a very creepy version of "Donkeyskin," which I have actually read in another anthology. It's still good though. Patricia A. McKillip's "The Lark and the Lion" takes the "Psyche and Cupid" story and adds an additional chapter, which I liked very much, given that I tend to severely doubt most happily ever afters. I also loved what her princess turned into. Tappan King's "Wolf's Heart" actually started out as another story, but I like what she ended up with.
Others could feel a little heavy handed -- Charles de Lint's "In the House of my Enemy" got on my nerves a little just because it seemed to predictable, and while I was suitably frightened and disturbed by the beginning of Munro Sickafoose's "Knives," the second half changes tones. I suppose that was the author's point, and I do believe stories of recovery are important as well. The second half is done well and is a convincing look at recovery and choices, but I think it's the POV switch that jerks me out of the story.
I also liked Nancy Etchemendy's "The Lily and the Weaver's Heart," though it is a bit rote. Luckily, though the general storyline went with my expectations, Etchemendy didn't quite do everything I thought she would, which was a pleasant surprise.
My favorite part was actually Terri Windling's afterword, which tells her own childhood survivor story and explains why she was drawn to the world of fairy tales and folklore. It's entirely real, no fantasy at all, and yet it is centered around fairy tales, on appearances and deceptions and how by whitewashing the past, even "just" children's stories, we allow the same things to happen in silence.
Recommended, although maybe just for a Windling or fairy tale completist.
Particular stories I liked: Jane Yolen's "Allerleirauh," a very creepy version of "Donkeyskin," which I have actually read in another anthology. It's still good though. Patricia A. McKillip's "The Lark and the Lion" takes the "Psyche and Cupid" story and adds an additional chapter, which I liked very much, given that I tend to severely doubt most happily ever afters. I also loved what her princess turned into. Tappan King's "Wolf's Heart" actually started out as another story, but I like what she ended up with.
Others could feel a little heavy handed -- Charles de Lint's "In the House of my Enemy" got on my nerves a little just because it seemed to predictable, and while I was suitably frightened and disturbed by the beginning of Munro Sickafoose's "Knives," the second half changes tones. I suppose that was the author's point, and I do believe stories of recovery are important as well. The second half is done well and is a convincing look at recovery and choices, but I think it's the POV switch that jerks me out of the story.
I also liked Nancy Etchemendy's "The Lily and the Weaver's Heart," though it is a bit rote. Luckily, though the general storyline went with my expectations, Etchemendy didn't quite do everything I thought she would, which was a pleasant surprise.
My favorite part was actually Terri Windling's afterword, which tells her own childhood survivor story and explains why she was drawn to the world of fairy tales and folklore. It's entirely real, no fantasy at all, and yet it is centered around fairy tales, on appearances and deceptions and how by whitewashing the past, even "just" children's stories, we allow the same things to happen in silence.
Recommended, although maybe just for a Windling or fairy tale completist.