One Sentence Summary:
A collection of horror and fantasy short stories that explore the darker and more twisted aspects of classic fairy tales.
Book Genre:
Horror/Fantasy
Main Topic of the Book:
The book primarily focuses on revisiting and reimagining popular fairy tales, giving them a darker and more horrific twist.
Key Ideas:
- Fairy tales are not always as innocent and magical as they seem.
- Human nature and desires can lead to disturbing and terrifying consequences.
- The power of storytelling to both enthrall and horrify audiences.
Main Parts of the Book and Short Summary:
- Introduction: King sets the tone for the book by explaining his love for fairy tales and his desire to retell them in his own unique way.
- The Wind Through the Keyhole: This novella within the book is set in the world of King’s popular Dark Tower series. It follows the gunslinger Roland as he recounts a fairy tale to his companions to pass the time during a storm.
- Remains: A retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale, but with a twist. A group of six dwarves must take care of the dead bodies of Snow White and Prince Charming as they come to life and wreak havoc on the kingdom.
- Ayana: A retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale set in modern times. A young girl must confront the growing violence and darkness within her new husband, who is suffering from a mysterious illness.
- The Little Green God of Agony: A wealthy man hires a healer to help him with his chronic pain, only to discover that the source of his suffering is a little green demon living inside him.
- That Bus is Another World: A group of students on a school field trip find themselves transported to another world filled with terrifying creatures and impossible challenges.
- The Man in the Black Suit: Set in the 1950s, a young boy encounters the devil while on a fishing trip and must face his deepest fears.
- Final Thoughts: King reflects on the power of storytelling and how it can both entertain and frighten audiences.
Key Takeaways:
- Fairy tales can be a great source of inspiration for horror and fantasy stories.
- King’s unique writing style and ability to blend different genres keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
- The book challenges readers to see familiar stories in a new and unsettling light.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Stephen King is a bestselling author known for his horror and suspense novels. He has published over 60 books and has sold over 350 million copies worldwide. King is also the recipient of numerous awards, including the Bram Stoker Award and the National Medal of Arts.
Target Audience:
Fans of Stephen King’s work, particularly those who enjoy horror and fantasy stories. This book may also appeal to readers who are interested in reimagined fairy tales and dark retellings.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
Fairy Tale was published by Scribner and was first released in 2012.