Sarah Beth Durst's Obscure Fairy Tales

Filed under "Things I Wish I Had Thought of Myself," here is author Sarah Beth Durst's collection of Obscure Fairy Tales, complete with commentary. For all the times you wondered, "What part of 'my brothers were turned into swans by a woman in a gown and crown with a majestic bearing and an evil disposition' did not arouse suspicion? (The Seven Swans) or, in the case of Molly Whuppie, "What sort of engineer makes a bridge of one hair? And how is she able to cross it? And why doesn't the giant petition the town to have a sturdier bridge built? It can't be good for trade." You'll find commentary on some of the not-so-obscure tales: Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty all get their due as well.