Happily Ever After / edited by Jonathan Klima, w/ introduction by Bill Willingham

Ready for some more Fairy Tale retellings? Happily Ever After is the latest of its kind rehashing, with some clever alterations and tongue-in-cheek humor, the well-known, age-old fables and stories. Edited by John Klima and featuring an introduction by Bill Willingham, author and the "Fables" series which includes the latest novel edition, Peter and Max, this is a can't miss book with some great stories. Long established fairy tale franchises such as Snow White, Cinderella and The Emperor's New Clothes are reinvented, retailored and retread with pinache and nuance . . . and a little sprinkling of pixie dust. Some of today's most famous fantasy and fiction authors like Gregory Maguire (Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West), Susanna Clarke (Dr. Strange & Mr. Norrell) and Karen Joy Fowler (Sister Noon) join in the fun. Of particular note are stories by Neil Gaiman and Peter Straub; Straub's Cinderella retelling, "Ashputtle", is a must read and Gaiman's take on that all too familiar troll under the bridge is as good as it gets. Other authors include Charles de Lint, Garth Nix & Patricia Briggs as well as several newcomers. This a great volume of fairy tale retellings for any audience. (SF HAPPILY)