By Jason Pomerantz
Anyone who's ever read the Brothers Grimm knows that their collection contains some of the best stories ever told. Princes turning to frogs, youngest brothers setting fourth on grand adventures, enchanted maidens waiting alone in frozen castles. But the greatest achievement is not just the wonderful collection of events and incidents - it's the perfection of the art of tale telling itself. From the collective imagination of European (and world) peasantry came a narrative path of unsurpassed simplicity, directness and beauty.
The stories in this collection grew out of an attempt to write "fairy tales of the present." Instead of wandering princes you'll find hapless vice-presidents. Instead of malevolent warlocks, evil genetic engineers. There won't be any kings parading nude through their realms or adventurers making bets with the devil. But there'll be governors pogo-sticking madly around the Statue of Liberty and heroic telemarketers trying desperately to waken sleepy towns. The methods and techniques will be old but the scenery and characters will be as modern as the latest web browser.
To listen to these tales, get the free REAL AUDIO player.
After all, what's a fairy tale if it's not read aloud?
| Anyone who likes is welcome to tell these tales in any reasonably non-commercial setting. If you do, drop me a line to let me know! |
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| Drawings by Jason Pomerantz and Lisa Yannucci. |
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