11 Fairy Tale Books for Adults to Enjoy when They're Still Young at Heart ...

By Alison

11 Fairy Tale Books for Adults to Enjoy when They're Still Young at Heart ...

Every single one of us grew up listening to fairytales. But did you know that fairytales weren't originally intended for children? If you think about it, they often have a very dark side. So it's no surprise that many writers produce rather more grown-up versions of the stories that we're so familiar with. Try these dark, twisted, wonderful fairytales for adults and young adults …

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1

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Ransom Riggs)

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Ransom Riggs) What an absolutely irresistible title! If you enjoy this tale about a mysterious orphanage, you'll be happy to know that the third in the series has just come out.

2

The Sleeper and the Spindle (Neil Gaiman)

The Sleeper and the Spindle (Neil Gaiman) Neil Gaiman is a master at creating dark fairytale worlds, so don't miss this retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty. There's an illustrated edition to make it even more special.

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The Sleeper and the Spindle is a retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty, written by the masterful Neil Gaiman. It is an illustrated edition, making it a perfect gift for adults who still have a soft spot for fairytales. The book is a dark and twisted fairytale, with Gaiman's signature style of writing and his knack for creating unique worlds. It is a must-read for any fan of fairytales, and is a great addition to any bookshelf.

3

The Book of Lost Things (John Connolly)

The Book of Lost Things (John Connolly) How does a child cope with the loss of his mother? By escaping into his books and a fantasy world. But is it really fantasy?

4

The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern)

The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern) Everyone loves a circus - but this is no ordinary circus. It only opens at night, and is full of magic …

5

Beautiful Creatures (Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl)

Beautiful Creatures (Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl) amazon.com

Witches often make an appearance in fairy tales, so it's no surprise to see them in Beautiful Creatures. If you like the Sookie Stackhouse novels, you might enjoy this series.

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6

The Bloody Chamber (Angela Carter)

The Bloody Chamber (Angela Carter) Any list of modern fairytales has to include something by Angela Carter. She's a wonder at updating familiar stories and giving them a darkly compelling twist. If you think there's nothing new to add to stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Bluebeard (itself a pretty dark story), read this … but not if you're easily scared!

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Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber masterfully reinvents classic narratives with a feminist slant that will resonate with many. Her prose, both lush and seductive, invites the mature reader to delve into the psychological depths of these tales. From the visceral terror experienced by the naïve bride in the title story to the empowered heroines found throughout the collection, Carter's work is not merely about the macabre but also about transformation and liberation. This book, ripe with haunting elegance, is a testament to the enduring power of fairy tales to challenge and enthrall.

7

The Darkest Part of the Forest (Holly Black)

The Darkest Part of the Forest (Holly Black) Imagine a world where fairies and magic exist. But are the fairies benevolent, and what happens if you make bargains with them?

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The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black is a modern fairy tale that takes place in a town where magic and fairies coexist. The story follows siblings Hazel and Ben, who have grown up in a town where a horned boy sleeps in a glass coffin in the forest. The townspeople have made a bargain with the fairies to keep the town safe, but when the horned boy wakes up, everything changes. The book explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of making deals with supernatural beings. It is a dark and captivating tale that will appeal to adults who still have a love for fairy tales.

8

The Child Thief (Brom)

The Child Thief (Brom) If you've always thought Peter Pan was too twee and saccharine, this updated reworking might be up your street. It's an extremely dark version, so not for the fainthearted!

9

The Ladies of Grace Adieu (Susannah Clarke)

The Ladies of Grace Adieu (Susannah Clarke) If you enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (now a BBC series), you'll also like this collection of fairytales by the same author. In her world, magic exists in 19th-century England …

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The Ladies of Grace Adieu, written by Susannah Clarke, is a collection of fairytales set in 19th-century England. It follows the same magical realism style as Clarke's previous novel, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, which has since been adapted into a BBC series.

The collection consists of eight stories, all of which feature a unique blend of fantasy and realism. In these stories, Clarke paints a vivid picture of a world where magic and the supernatural are commonplace. Characters include a young girl who is able to travel through time, a man who is able to transform himself into a bird, and a mysterious stranger who appears to have a connection to the supernatural.

The stories are written in a style that is both whimsical and darkly humorous. Clarke's writing is often described as being both beautiful and haunting, and her characters are both relatable and mysterious.

The Ladies of Grace Adieu is a perfect read for adults who are still young at heart. It's an enjoyable collection of fairytales that will transport readers to a world of fantasy and magic. For those who are fans of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, this book is a must-read.

10

The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye (as Byatt)

The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye (as Byatt) AS Byatt is best known for books like Possession, but has also written some adult fairytales. Pick up this volume and let the genie out of the bottle …

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The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye is a collection of adult fairytales by the acclaimed British author A.S. Byatt. It was first published in 1994 and has since become a classic of the genre. The stories are set in a variety of exotic locations, from the Middle East to Japan, and explore themes of love, loss, and the power of imagination. Byatt's writing is characterized by its lyrical beauty and dark humor, and the stories in this collection are no exception. The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye is an enchanting read that will appeal to adults of all ages.

11

Fables - Legends in Exile (Bill Willingham)

Fables - Legends in Exile (Bill Willingham) If you're a fan of graphic novels, you'll love this series - and with 150 volumes, it'll keep you going for a while! Fables imagines that fairytale characters have escaped to our world after being expelled from their own.

These are just some of the fantastic fairytales for adults than you can enjoy. The stories that we know from our childhood originated as very dark tales that were later sanitised for a younger audience, and these modern versions are reclaiming these stories for an adult reader. So immerse yourself in the world of fairytales …

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. These will be going on my reading list for the cold dark nights ahead.

The night circus is available in audiobook read by the author and also in character voices. Highly recommended. Great read.

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