The Land of Stories

We all have the classic childhood fairy tales drilled into our brains. Cinderella lost the glass slipper and it was returned by the prince. Snow White lived with seven dwarfs and ate the poisonous apple. Hansel and Gretel got lured into the candy house.
Some of us know the originals by Hans Christian Anderson and the Grimm Brothers. Ariel didn't lose her voice, she had her tongue removed. Sleeping Beauty wasn't awakened by a prince, but was molested by her step-father.

In the Land of Stories, Chris Colfer takes both versions of the stories, twists them, and brings them to life.

Now fantasy tales are really not my cup of tea. I enjoy mostly realistic fiction, Jodi Picoult-type novels. However, I could not turn down the opportunity to read something by my idol. Chris Colfer is my biggest inspiration. At 18 years old, he joined the Glee cast. Since then he has become a widely respected actor, singer, writer, speaker, and so on. He was one of the New York Times' top 100 influential people. So of course I just had to read the book, fairy tale or not.

Colfer's work is amazing. He takes the original, horror-like fairy tales, along with the Disney-ish tales, and brings them to life. He puts them side by side in a story, along with what can only be called the present day versions of the tales. For example, Goldilocks is wanted for burglary, which in realistic times, is exactly what would happen if you broke into someone's home. He takes the three version and blends them together in a world where fairy tales exist. Then drops a child, though mature for the age, into the story to reveal what exactly would go on in a land where fairy tales exist.

We all know what it felt like to read these tales as a child. Every young girl wanted to be Cinderella at the ball, and every young boy wanted to climb Jack's beanstalk and fight the giant. But as we get older, we see reality, and the stories lose their magic. The trouble is that they lose the lesson along with them.
Colfer begins the novel with a discussion of these lessons. He lets the world know that although these tales have been distorted in telling, that we must keep close the lessons that it provides. But my favorite part is that he brings to life the magic that comes with partaking in fairy tales. Even as an adult, I read this novel and find myself wishing to be in the Enchanted Forest, living in The Land of Stories. To be able to recreate that magic, even past the days of adolescence, is a true talent.

I have not finished the tale, but rest assured, more will come when I do.