From Russia, With Love

So I had so much to share this week that I decided to have a Sunday post.

Here's this little tidbit from the Washington Post, From Russia, with love:

Many fall lines were built around pared-down classic silhouettes -- sartorial catnip to budget-conscious shoppers -- but an underlying current of luxe coursed through a few collections, heading in the direction of the Old World. Laden with rich fabrics, intricate embroidery and fur accents, Tibi designer Amy Smilovic's opulent collection took inspiration from illustrator Gennady Spirin's "The Tale of the Firebird," a collection of Russian fairy tales. Meanwhile, John Galliano looked to Russian and Balkan folklore for his embellished coats and wide, full skirts. With this imperial array, the movement toward minimalism seems almost like ancient history.

Here are some links to images of and more information about Amy Smilovic's collection: Joonbug and Native Georgian's Tibi line wins global fans and a video of the runway here. Here are a few pics:




Here's more about John Galliano's collectionincluding photos and John Galliano wins plaudits for Russian look at Paris Fashion Week and John Galliano's Winter Wonderland. They are stunning. And I don't know how anyone walks in those shoes, especially wearing those clothes...




Did anyone else think of Queen Amidala just as much as Ivan Bilibin?

Once Upon a Blog has also shared some fashion this week.

Always interesting to see how fashion designers find inspiration...

From Russia, With Love

So I had so much to share this week that I decided to have a Sunday post.

Here's this little tidbit from the Washington Post, From Russia, with love:

Many fall lines were built around pared-down classic silhouettes -- sartorial catnip to budget-conscious shoppers -- but an underlying current of luxe coursed through a few collections, heading in the direction of the Old World. Laden with rich fabrics, intricate embroidery and fur accents, Tibi designer Amy Smilovic's opulent collection took inspiration from illustrator Gennady Spirin's "The Tale of the Firebird," a collection of Russian fairy tales. Meanwhile, John Galliano looked to Russian and Balkan folklore for his embellished coats and wide, full skirts. With this imperial array, the movement toward minimalism seems almost like ancient history.

Here are some links to images of and more information about Amy Smilovic's collection: Joonbug and Native Georgian's Tibi line wins global fans and a video of the runway here. Here are a few pics:




Here's more about John Galliano's collectionincluding photos and John Galliano wins plaudits for Russian look at Paris Fashion Week and John Galliano's Winter Wonderland. They are stunning. And I don't know how anyone walks in those shoes, especially wearing those clothes...




Did anyone else think of Queen Amidala just as much as Ivan Bilibin?

Once Upon a Blog has also shared some fashion this week.

Always interesting to see how fashion designers find inspiration...

Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows

As with most holidays, Halloween has arguably lost much of its original meaning and purpose with its primary emphasis one of playing dress-up and eating lots of candy. Of course, the day was never as important as All Soul's Day or Day of the Dead which occurs tomorrow.

Since SurLaLune is devoted to folklore beyond fairy tales, too, I wanted to share the following:

The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows by Jack Santino

Halloween had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the dead. The Celtic peoples, who were once found all over Europe, divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle.

The festival observed at this time was called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). It was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were abroad: ghosts, fairies, and demons--all part of the dark and dread.

There's plenty more in this wonderful but not-too-long article, so click through to finish it.

Here's another older article about the holiday, some of it specific to the newspaper it was originally intended for, but still rich with information about the holiday in general: Day of Dead mix of folklore, church teachings by Beth Pratt.

And here's more:

Spooky Halloween: A Celebration of the Dark--Halloween History, Traditions, Customs and Folklore from Quest Magazine

About.com's Halloween Page (lots of great links)

Halloween History, Folklore, Phobias and Symbols by Brownielocks

Halloween Web's Urban Legends, Folklore and Myths

Scary Halloween Stories from American Folklore.net

How fitting that in most of the United States, Daylight Savings also ends tonight. Tomorrow the day will feel shorter with darkness coming an hour earlier by the clocks, especially after the celebrations planned by many tonight.

I wish you all a safe and fun Halloween as well as sweet remembrances of those who have passed before you...

Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows

As with most holidays, Halloween has arguably lost much of its original meaning and purpose with its primary emphasis one of playing dress-up and eating lots of candy. Of course, the day was never as important as All Soul's Day or Day of the Dead which occurs tomorrow.

Since SurLaLune is devoted to folklore beyond fairy tales, too, I wanted to share the following:

The Fantasy and Folklore of All Hallows by Jack Santino

Halloween had its beginnings in an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival of the dead. The Celtic peoples, who were once found all over Europe, divided the year by four major holidays. According to their calendar, the year began on a day corresponding to November 1st on our present calendar. The date marked the beginning of winter. Since they were pastoral people, it was a time when cattle and sheep had to be moved to closer pastures and all livestock had to be secured for the winter months. Crops were harvested and stored. The date marked both an ending and a beginning in an eternal cycle.

The festival observed at this time was called Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween). It was the biggest and most significant holiday of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that at the time of Samhain, more so than any other time of the year, the ghosts of the dead were able to mingle with the living, because at Samhain the souls of those who had died during the year traveled into the otherworld. People gathered to sacrifice animals, fruits, and vegetables. They also lit bonfires in honor of the dead, to aid them on their journey, and to keep them away from the living. On that day all manner of beings were abroad: ghosts, fairies, and demons--all part of the dark and dread.

There's plenty more in this wonderful but not-too-long article, so click through to finish it.

Here's another older article about the holiday, some of it specific to the newspaper it was originally intended for, but still rich with information about the holiday in general: Day of Dead mix of folklore, church teachings by Beth Pratt.

And here's more:

Spooky Halloween: A Celebration of the Dark--Halloween History, Traditions, Customs and Folklore from Quest Magazine

About.com's Halloween Page (lots of great links)

Halloween History, Folklore, Phobias and Symbols by Brownielocks

Halloween Web's Urban Legends, Folklore and Myths

Scary Halloween Stories from American Folklore.net

How fitting that in most of the United States, Daylight Savings also ends tonight. Tomorrow the day will feel shorter with darkness coming an hour earlier by the clocks, especially after the celebrations planned by many tonight.

I wish you all a safe and fun Halloween as well as sweet remembrances of those who have passed before you...

Anastasia, Baba Yaga, and Fairy Tales

I had intended to write up this post yesterday as a companion to my post about A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka since both use Baba Yaga in their storytelling. But I never returned to my computer, so this becomes a Halloween post instead.

Dreaming Anastasia: A Novel of Love, Magic, and the Power of Dreams by Joy Preble was released in September of this year, so this is a little late. It only entered my radar when Publishers Weekly reviewed it a few weeks ago and then entered my queue of books to learn more about. Here's the publisher's description:

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

You can read more about the book on Preble's website, too.

Once again, I haven't read the book--don't own it yet either--but I am interested in the inclusion of Baba Yaga as one of the characters. I've been a fan ever since reading Orson Scott Card's Enchantment years ago which married the Sleeping Beauty story to Baba Yaga tales among others.

It can easily be argued that the tales of Anastasia's possible survival have taken on mythical qualities, especially with the help of several movies and various books over the years. The story, shrouded in the mystery of royalty, communist secrets, and a long and rich Russian folklore, easily eclipsed tales of the missing Dauphin or even the princes in the tower, mysteries that have diminished in popularity over time. After all, the story has even received the animated film treatment from Don Bluth, not from Disney, but Disneyesque all the same. Throw in the sensational qualities of Rasputin's character along with the photographs of the royal family in their fairy tale setting and the story is understandably irresistable in its tragic romance.


Of course, all tales of Anastasia's possible survival have now been discredited. Anastasia died with her family and was buried with her brother. Was anyone else saddened when Anastasia's body was finally found and identified near her family's mass grave last year? I was. The romance of her legend was moved permanently into the dark reality of murder and horror. Although there was little doubt previously, there was hope and there was storytelling to keep the fantasy alive. Still, with books like these, the story will remain a dark fairy tale with a sad coda in history's records.

But especially in light of last year's findings--and as proof perhaps of the slow churning of the publishing industry--it has been an interesting year for promoting Anastasia novels as fairy tales considering this book and Simon Pulse's offering Anastasia up as a "retelling" earlier this year in their Once Upon a Time Series with The Diamond Secret by Suzanne Weyn. The timing is apropos as the tales are firmly settled into folklore by last year's events.

So I am sharing the image and description for this book, too, as a companion read. I am a compulsive reader myself and tend to look for similar books to read back-to-back. (Never would have guessed that with a site like SurLaLune, huh?)

A Retelling of "Anastasia"

Nadya is a mischievous kitchen girl in a Russian tavern. Having nearly drowned in the Iset River during the turmoil of the Revolution, she has no memory of her past and longs for the life she cannot remember.

Then two young men arrive at the tavern and announce that Nadya's long-lost grandmother has sent them to find her. Yearning for family and friendship, she agrees to accompany them to Paris for the joyful reunion. Nadya eagerly embarks on her journey, never dreaming it will be one of laughter, love -- and betrayal.

And that's all about fairy tales, Anastasia, and Baba Yaga for now...

Anastasia, Baba Yaga, and Fairy Tales

I had intended to write up this post yesterday as a companion to my post about A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka since both use Baba Yaga in their storytelling. But I never returned to my computer, so this becomes a Halloween post instead.

Dreaming Anastasia: A Novel of Love, Magic, and the Power of Dreams by Joy Preble was released in September of this year, so this is a little late. It only entered my radar when Publishers Weekly reviewed it a few weeks ago and then entered my queue of books to learn more about. Here's the publisher's description:

What really happened to Anastasia Romanov?

Anastasia Romanov thought she would never feel more alone than when the gunfire started and her family began to fall around her. Surely the bullets would come for her next. But they didn't. Instead, two gnarled old hands reached for her. When she wakes up she discovers that she is in the ancient hut of the witch Baba Yaga, and that some things are worse than being dead.

In modern-day Chicago, Anne doesn't know much about Russian history. She is more concerned about getting into a good college—until the dreams start. She is somewhere else. She is someone else. And she is sharing a small room with a very old woman. The vivid dreams startle her, but not until a handsome stranger offers to explain them does she realize her life is going to change forever. She is the only one who can save Anastasia. But, Anastasia is having her own dreams…

You can read more about the book on Preble's website, too.

Once again, I haven't read the book--don't own it yet either--but I am interested in the inclusion of Baba Yaga as one of the characters. I've been a fan ever since reading Orson Scott Card's Enchantment years ago which married the Sleeping Beauty story to Baba Yaga tales among others.

It can easily be argued that the tales of Anastasia's possible survival have taken on mythical qualities, especially with the help of several movies and various books over the years. The story, shrouded in the mystery of royalty, communist secrets, and a long and rich Russian folklore, easily eclipsed tales of the missing Dauphin or even the princes in the tower, mysteries that have diminished in popularity over time. After all, the story has even received the animated film treatment from Don Bluth, not from Disney, but Disneyesque all the same. Throw in the sensational qualities of Rasputin's character along with the photographs of the royal family in their fairy tale setting and the story is understandably irresistable in its tragic romance.


Of course, all tales of Anastasia's possible survival have now been discredited. Anastasia died with her family and was buried with her brother. Was anyone else saddened when Anastasia's body was finally found and identified near her family's mass grave last year? I was. The romance of her legend was moved permanently into the dark reality of murder and horror. Although there was little doubt previously, there was hope and there was storytelling to keep the fantasy alive. Still, with books like these, the story will remain a dark fairy tale with a sad coda in history's records.

But especially in light of last year's findings--and as proof perhaps of the slow churning of the publishing industry--it has been an interesting year for promoting Anastasia novels as fairy tales considering this book and Simon Pulse's offering Anastasia up as a "retelling" earlier this year in their Once Upon a Time Series with The Diamond Secret by Suzanne Weyn. The timing is apropos as the tales are firmly settled into folklore by last year's events.

So I am sharing the image and description for this book, too, as a companion read. I am a compulsive reader myself and tend to look for similar books to read back-to-back. (Never would have guessed that with a site like SurLaLune, huh?)

A Retelling of "Anastasia"

Nadya is a mischievous kitchen girl in a Russian tavern. Having nearly drowned in the Iset River during the turmoil of the Revolution, she has no memory of her past and longs for the life she cannot remember.

Then two young men arrive at the tavern and announce that Nadya's long-lost grandmother has sent them to find her. Yearning for family and friendship, she agrees to accompany them to Paris for the joyful reunion. Nadya eagerly embarks on her journey, never dreaming it will be one of laughter, love -- and betrayal.

And that's all about fairy tales, Anastasia, and Baba Yaga for now...

A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True

A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True came out in August, but I just learned about it this week. I don't have a copy but wanted to share the title with those who may be interested in this debut novel by Brigid Pasulka.

And why do I have it on the blog? Because it apparently makes use of Polish folklore and includes a character nicknamed Baba Yaga. Yes, Baba Yaga. (And Baba Yaga has been popular recently, relative to her usual level of exposure. Once Upon a Blog has had some great posts and I've been receiving email inquiries from students about her, most of which I have no answers for, alas and alack.)

Here's the publisher's description:

The novel opens on the eve of World War II. In the mountain village of Half-Village, a young man nicknamed the Pigeon, under the approving eyes of the entire village, courts the beautiful Anielica Hetmanska. But the war's arrival wreaks havoc in all their lives and delays their marriage for six long years. Nearly fifty years later, their granddaughter, Beata, leaves Half-Village for Krakow, the place where her grandparents lived as newlyweds after the war and the setting of her grandmother's most magical stories. Beata yearns to find her own place in this new city, one that is very different from her imagination and the past. Her first person insight into a country on the cusp of change--and the human toll of Poland's rapid-fire embrace of capitalism--transports readers to another world. When two unexpected events occur, one undeniably tragic, and the other a kind of miracle, Beata is given a fresh glimpse at her family's and her country's, history and a vision of her own essential role in the New Poland. With the effortless, accomplished grace of a gifted storyteller, Pasulka weaves together the two strands of her story, re-imagining half a century of Polish history through the legacy of one profound love affair--that of the Pigeon and Anielica--which readers won't soon forget.

Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review:

Pasulka's delightful debut braids together two tales of old and new Poland. The old is the fairy tale love story of the Pigeon, a young man so entranced by village beauty Anielica that he builds her family a house to prove his devotion. When war comes to Poland, the Pigeon works for the resistance, guarding the town and his Jewish sister-in-law with creativity and bravery. After the war, he and Anielica get engaged and the Pigeon brings his family to Kraków, but the fabled promises of the golden city and the glories of communism prove hollow. The new tale is about Anielica and the Pigeon's granddaughter, Beata, whose plainness has earned her the nickname Baba Yaga. Now living in a much-changed Kraków, Beata is a bar girl with no hopes of love or plans for the future. When tragedy strikes and Beata uncovers family secrets, she brings together the old and new to create her own bright future. Pasulka creates a world that's magical despite the absence of magical happenings, and where Poland's history is bound up in one family's story.

And another review: First novels from Brigid Pusalka, Brian DeLeeuw, Esther Vilar and Momus

This parallel narrative of Poland at two pivotal points in its recent history begins in a folksy, whimsical fashion which is soon dispensed with for something grittier. In 1939, the small, predominantly Catholic community of Half-Village is transfixed by the courtship between a man unkindly nicknamed the Pigeon and the beautiful but shy Anielica. Anielica's brother has caused a minor scandal by marrying a Jewish girl, but as the Germans advance the Half-Villagers unite to resist the enemy. In Krakow 50 years on, a woman unkindly nicknamed Baba Yaga, mourning the death of her grandmother, lodges at the house of Irena and her troubled daughter Magda. The miraculous links that connect Baba Yaga and Irena to Pigeon and Anielica are gradually exposed in this lively book which is part satire, part fairytale.

You can also read more at Pasulka's website, including her blog where she discusses the books long creation and her inspiration as well as provides a pronunciation guide for names and other Polish terms in the book.

Overall, the reader reviews are strong along with the professional ones. So this gets added to my list of books to eventually acquire and read. Perhaps it will appear on a few of your lists, too...

A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True

A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True came out in August, but I just learned about it this week. I don't have a copy but wanted to share the title with those who may be interested in this debut novel by Brigid Pasulka.

And why do I have it on the blog? Because it apparently makes use of Polish folklore and includes a character nicknamed Baba Yaga. Yes, Baba Yaga. (And Baba Yaga has been popular recently, relative to her usual level of exposure. Once Upon a Blog has had some great posts and I've been receiving email inquiries from students about her, most of which I have no answers for, alas and alack.)

Here's the publisher's description:

The novel opens on the eve of World War II. In the mountain village of Half-Village, a young man nicknamed the Pigeon, under the approving eyes of the entire village, courts the beautiful Anielica Hetmanska. But the war's arrival wreaks havoc in all their lives and delays their marriage for six long years. Nearly fifty years later, their granddaughter, Beata, leaves Half-Village for Krakow, the place where her grandparents lived as newlyweds after the war and the setting of her grandmother's most magical stories. Beata yearns to find her own place in this new city, one that is very different from her imagination and the past. Her first person insight into a country on the cusp of change--and the human toll of Poland's rapid-fire embrace of capitalism--transports readers to another world. When two unexpected events occur, one undeniably tragic, and the other a kind of miracle, Beata is given a fresh glimpse at her family's and her country's, history and a vision of her own essential role in the New Poland. With the effortless, accomplished grace of a gifted storyteller, Pasulka weaves together the two strands of her story, re-imagining half a century of Polish history through the legacy of one profound love affair--that of the Pigeon and Anielica--which readers won't soon forget.

Publishers Weekly gave it a starred review:

Pasulka's delightful debut braids together two tales of old and new Poland. The old is the fairy tale love story of the Pigeon, a young man so entranced by village beauty Anielica that he builds her family a house to prove his devotion. When war comes to Poland, the Pigeon works for the resistance, guarding the town and his Jewish sister-in-law with creativity and bravery. After the war, he and Anielica get engaged and the Pigeon brings his family to Kraków, but the fabled promises of the golden city and the glories of communism prove hollow. The new tale is about Anielica and the Pigeon's granddaughter, Beata, whose plainness has earned her the nickname Baba Yaga. Now living in a much-changed Kraków, Beata is a bar girl with no hopes of love or plans for the future. When tragedy strikes and Beata uncovers family secrets, she brings together the old and new to create her own bright future. Pasulka creates a world that's magical despite the absence of magical happenings, and where Poland's history is bound up in one family's story.

And another review: First novels from Brigid Pusalka, Brian DeLeeuw, Esther Vilar and Momus

This parallel narrative of Poland at two pivotal points in its recent history begins in a folksy, whimsical fashion which is soon dispensed with for something grittier. In 1939, the small, predominantly Catholic community of Half-Village is transfixed by the courtship between a man unkindly nicknamed the Pigeon and the beautiful but shy Anielica. Anielica's brother has caused a minor scandal by marrying a Jewish girl, but as the Germans advance the Half-Villagers unite to resist the enemy. In Krakow 50 years on, a woman unkindly nicknamed Baba Yaga, mourning the death of her grandmother, lodges at the house of Irena and her troubled daughter Magda. The miraculous links that connect Baba Yaga and Irena to Pigeon and Anielica are gradually exposed in this lively book which is part satire, part fairytale.

You can also read more at Pasulka's website, including her blog where she discusses the books long creation and her inspiration as well as provides a pronunciation guide for names and other Polish terms in the book.

Overall, the reader reviews are strong along with the professional ones. So this gets added to my list of books to eventually acquire and read. Perhaps it will appear on a few of your lists, too...

New Book Release: Never After

I preordered Never After for my Kindle and downloaded it on Tuesday, its release day. I wasn't sure how well it would fit into the blog, but I discovered it fits well enough. I admit, fairy tale themes or no, I would have ordered this book just because I'm a diehard Sharon Shinn fan. Her world of Samaria hits my top ten fantasy vacation destinations from literature, even the top five, perhaps top three.

At this point, I have only read the Shinn story, more of a novella, which comprises 30-40% of the book and was worth the price of admission for me. Shinn subtly plays with fairy tale tropes--especially the princess's hand in marriage won through three tests--and then develops a story that is at times surprising considering the constraints of the premise and length. Yes, some plotting is predictable, but Shinn always throws in enough character development and plot twists to keep me guessing. She also offers up a beta male hero, something she excels at as well as alphas. Not my favorite of her works, but a nice coda after I devoured her new Quatrain earlier this month. And then reread her Twelve Houses books...but I've digressed too far, now.



Anyway, none of the stories are direct riffs on popular fairy tales, but all employ fairy tale tropes and characters on some level, from arranged marriages to selkies. Of course, bestseller Laurell K. Hamilton is the headliner author with Yasmine Galenorn and Marjorie M. Liu included.

There aren't many reviews up for the book yet--there might not be many since its being shelved under romance over fantasy, neither of which are widely reviewed--but I found one helpful one at Never After by Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M. Liu, and Sharon Shinn review by Elena Nola

Never After is billed as a collection of “feminist fairy tales,” basically stories that take the idea of the fairy tale wedding and explore the possibility that it might, well, not be such a fairy tale. I will confess that my eyebrows arched pretty high when I read the list of established professionals contributing stories: Laurell K. Hamilton, Marjorie M. Liu, Yasmine Galenorn, and Sharon Shinn. I have read at least one novel from each of them, and my experience was that all but Shinn write novels that are too deeply entrenched in sex to be anything like what I would label feminist writing. However. I was very willing to be pleasantly surprised by this collection, and you know what? I was.

Nola's review is much longer and more informational than mine since I decided to write before finishing the book, so be sure to click through and read it. Once again, I aim to be more news source than judge, but for a light read, this book should fill a need as the nights grow longer.

New Book Release: Never After

I preordered Never After for my Kindle and downloaded it on Tuesday, its release day. I wasn't sure how well it would fit into the blog, but I discovered it fits well enough. I admit, fairy tale themes or no, I would have ordered this book just because I'm a diehard Sharon Shinn fan. Her world of Samaria hits my top ten fantasy vacation destinations from literature, even the top five, perhaps top three.

At this point, I have only read the Shinn story, more of a novella, which comprises 30-40% of the book and was worth the price of admission for me. Shinn subtly plays with fairy tale tropes--especially the princess's hand in marriage won through three tests--and then develops a story that is at times surprising considering the constraints of the premise and length. Yes, some plotting is predictable, but Shinn always throws in enough character development and plot twists to keep me guessing. She also offers up a beta male hero, something she excels at as well as alphas. Not my favorite of her works, but a nice coda after I devoured her new Quatrain earlier this month. And then reread her Twelve Houses books...but I've digressed too far, now.



Anyway, none of the stories are direct riffs on popular fairy tales, but all employ fairy tale tropes and characters on some level, from arranged marriages to selkies. Of course, bestseller Laurell K. Hamilton is the headliner author with Yasmine Galenorn and Marjorie M. Liu included.

There aren't many reviews up for the book yet--there might not be many since its being shelved under romance over fantasy, neither of which are widely reviewed--but I found one helpful one at Never After by Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M. Liu, and Sharon Shinn review by Elena Nola

Never After is billed as a collection of “feminist fairy tales,” basically stories that take the idea of the fairy tale wedding and explore the possibility that it might, well, not be such a fairy tale. I will confess that my eyebrows arched pretty high when I read the list of established professionals contributing stories: Laurell K. Hamilton, Marjorie M. Liu, Yasmine Galenorn, and Sharon Shinn. I have read at least one novel from each of them, and my experience was that all but Shinn write novels that are too deeply entrenched in sex to be anything like what I would label feminist writing. However. I was very willing to be pleasantly surprised by this collection, and you know what? I was.

Nola's review is much longer and more informational than mine since I decided to write before finishing the book, so be sure to click through and read it. Once again, I aim to be more news source than judge, but for a light read, this book should fill a need as the nights grow longer.

Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood

Okay, I personally don't touch horror nor erotica and I have kept it off the SurLaLune site since I want it to be family friendly as much as the old tales can be. However, this film falls into the fine line category for me on the blog--as much as I know since I will never watch it--but I know it will be of interest for some readers here. So no imagery beyond the cover, but I'm providing links for those who want to know more.

Here's an article with excerpt:

'Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood' Unrated On DVD This Halloween

Just in time for Halloween, "Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood" , the chilling and erotic epic will make its DVD debut on October 27, 2009 in a Special Unrated Edition available at Amazon.com. Packed with non-stop chills, thrills and erotic romance, director Harry Sparks' visionary adult fairy tale was received with overwhelming enthusiasm and audience acclaim at its red carpet premiere at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in September.

"What makes this version of Red Riding Hood unique is that it stays faithful to the themes of the original classic story," says the movie's writer/director Harry Sparks. "Red Riding Hood has always been about sexual awakening. It's about this journey of a girl becoming a woman, and I did not water it down."

If you want to know more, here's the website: Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood Official Website.

And here's the Amazon link for shopping if this is your thing.

Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood

Okay, I personally don't touch horror nor erotica and I have kept it off the SurLaLune site since I want it to be family friendly as much as the old tales can be. However, this film falls into the fine line category for me on the blog--as much as I know since I will never watch it--but I know it will be of interest for some readers here. So no imagery beyond the cover, but I'm providing links for those who want to know more.

Here's an article with excerpt:

'Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood' Unrated On DVD This Halloween

Just in time for Halloween, "Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood" , the chilling and erotic epic will make its DVD debut on October 27, 2009 in a Special Unrated Edition available at Amazon.com. Packed with non-stop chills, thrills and erotic romance, director Harry Sparks' visionary adult fairy tale was received with overwhelming enthusiasm and audience acclaim at its red carpet premiere at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in September.

"What makes this version of Red Riding Hood unique is that it stays faithful to the themes of the original classic story," says the movie's writer/director Harry Sparks. "Red Riding Hood has always been about sexual awakening. It's about this journey of a girl becoming a woman, and I did not water it down."

If you want to know more, here's the website: Rotkäppchen: The Blood of Red Riding Hood Official Website.

And here's the Amazon link for shopping if this is your thing.

Cinderella Shoe Champagne Flute

A champagne flute in shape of a heel? Louboutin must be over the recession

Stiletto designer Christian Louboutin has teamed up with champagne brand Piper-Heidsieck to create a luxurious holiday package, comprising a bottle of champagne and a crystal heel from which to drink it.

Inspired by a Russian 'ritual' after ballet performances, where the bubbly-filled slipper of the prima ballerina was raised to a toast by her admirers -- a ritual that was adopted in an even more frivolous way in Parisian cabarets during the Belle Epoque period -- the crystal stiletto comes with a translucent sole and heel, saturated with Louboutin's signature red.

The designer is currently on a promotional tour for the package and has directed a mini-movie that plays on the Cinderella theme, with actors Elisa Sednaoui and Rossif Sutherland playing a couple falling in love and having to part at midnight. Just as in the fairy tale, he finds the crystal shoe she lost hurrying down the steps, and holds on to it as the only memory of the evening.

Here's a link to the website: Le Rituel. This is the site that lets you order. Or there is a "watch only" link to this site which didn't work for me. It requires a birthdate but just freezes right now for me. So, of course, trusty YouTube has the video which I will embed here:



Here's a making of video which discusses Cinderella just a little bit. And, hey, Cinderella isn't a blonde!



Fascinating...This has been a popular theme this year if one remembers the Maison Martin Margiela Glass Slippers.

Cinderella Shoe Champagne Flute

A champagne flute in shape of a heel? Louboutin must be over the recession

Stiletto designer Christian Louboutin has teamed up with champagne brand Piper-Heidsieck to create a luxurious holiday package, comprising a bottle of champagne and a crystal heel from which to drink it.

Inspired by a Russian 'ritual' after ballet performances, where the bubbly-filled slipper of the prima ballerina was raised to a toast by her admirers -- a ritual that was adopted in an even more frivolous way in Parisian cabarets during the Belle Epoque period -- the crystal stiletto comes with a translucent sole and heel, saturated with Louboutin's signature red.

The designer is currently on a promotional tour for the package and has directed a mini-movie that plays on the Cinderella theme, with actors Elisa Sednaoui and Rossif Sutherland playing a couple falling in love and having to part at midnight. Just as in the fairy tale, he finds the crystal shoe she lost hurrying down the steps, and holds on to it as the only memory of the evening.

Here's a link to the website: Le Rituel. This is the site that lets you order. Or there is a "watch only" link to this site which didn't work for me. It requires a birthdate but just freezes right now for me. So, of course, trusty YouTube has the video which I will embed here:



Here's a making of video which discusses Cinderella just a little bit. And, hey, Cinderella isn't a blonde!



Fascinating...This has been a popular theme this year if one remembers the Maison Martin Margiela Glass Slippers.

Disney's Книга Мастеров [Book of Masters]

Here are some links and trailers for Disney's first foray into Russian filmmaking. Not too surprisingly, the movie uses Russian folklore for its inspiration.

Disney is aiming for a fairytale start in Russia

Disney releases Book of Masters, its first Russian film, this week as it ramps up its interest in one of the world's fastest growing cinema markets.

Based on a Russian fairy tale and produced in Russia using local talent, the film is the latest step in Disney's broad push into local language production.

First Russian Movie Made at Disney Studio Goes on General Release

The first Disney Studio’s Russian movie, namely the fairy tale The Book of Masters featuring Liya Akhedzhakova, Leonid Kuravlyov, Aleksandr Lenkov and other stars of Russian cinema goes on general release in Russia from October 29.

The Director General of Disney Studio in Russia Marina Zhigalova-Ozkan says that though it is the first Russian film by Disney Studio, it is “absolutely Russian”.

The Book of Masters is a sort of a potpourri, where characters from Russian folklore, and Pushkin’s and Bazhov’s fairy tales are brought together.

The action is ironical, supplemented with modern interpretation and, according to Disney’s requirements, changing the characters for the better.

Disney’s Russian Fantasy Film ‘Kniga Masterov’ Looks Impressive

Did the title throw you off a little? Don’t worry, it through me off as well. Yes, it would appear that Disney has produced a Russian-only fantasy movie called Kniga Masterov or in its native Russian Книга мастеров. The English translation is Book of Masters and it’s the first Russian movie Disney has made. It stars an all Russian cast and dang if it doesn’t look brilliant.

I could easily throw out the names of the director, writer, actors and producers but honestly, I doubt you have ever heard of them and they are all Russian. Even IMDB doesn’t have pictures to go with their names. The film is based on Russian folklore and fairy tales but the imagery from the trailer and video clip lean heavily on the Lord of the Rings films. That’s not a bad thing though. I’m all for a good fantasy film, in whatever language it may be in.

Here are some trailers:

Waterville Valley Resort's Russian Fairy Tale Art Exhibit

Waterville Valley Resort's Russian Fairy Tale Art Exhibit

Master artists will bring magic of The Snow Maiden to Waterville Valley Resort this fall. Master decorative artists/teachers Tricia Joiner (Waterville Valley, NH) and Slava Letkov (Zhostovo, Russia), will demonstrate the creation of a series of fine art panels depicting episodes of the Russian fairy tale, "The Snow Maiden."

The panels are being painted by a group of Joiner's students from around the U.S. and Canada. The work is being done over the next month in the Town Square and the public is invited to stop by and observe the progress. The finished works will be unveiled at the Margret and H.A. Rey Center during the Thanksgiving weekend and on display during the winter holiday season in the Town Square shop windows. The panels will be featured at the Cookies, Snow, and Fairy Tales festival on December 12, 2009.

Disney's Книга Мастеров [Book of Masters]

Here are some links and trailers for Disney's first foray into Russian filmmaking. Not too surprisingly, the movie uses Russian folklore for its inspiration.

Disney is aiming for a fairytale start in Russia

Disney releases Book of Masters, its first Russian film, this week as it ramps up its interest in one of the world's fastest growing cinema markets.

Based on a Russian fairy tale and produced in Russia using local talent, the film is the latest step in Disney's broad push into local language production.

First Russian Movie Made at Disney Studio Goes on General Release

The first Disney Studio’s Russian movie, namely the fairy tale The Book of Masters featuring Liya Akhedzhakova, Leonid Kuravlyov, Aleksandr Lenkov and other stars of Russian cinema goes on general release in Russia from October 29.

The Director General of Disney Studio in Russia Marina Zhigalova-Ozkan says that though it is the first Russian film by Disney Studio, it is “absolutely Russian”.

The Book of Masters is a sort of a potpourri, where characters from Russian folklore, and Pushkin’s and Bazhov’s fairy tales are brought together.

The action is ironical, supplemented with modern interpretation and, according to Disney’s requirements, changing the characters for the better.

Disney’s Russian Fantasy Film ‘Kniga Masterov’ Looks Impressive

Did the title throw you off a little? Don’t worry, it through me off as well. Yes, it would appear that Disney has produced a Russian-only fantasy movie called Kniga Masterov or in its native Russian Книга мастеров. The English translation is Book of Masters and it’s the first Russian movie Disney has made. It stars an all Russian cast and dang if it doesn’t look brilliant.

I could easily throw out the names of the director, writer, actors and producers but honestly, I doubt you have ever heard of them and they are all Russian. Even IMDB doesn’t have pictures to go with their names. The film is based on Russian folklore and fairy tales but the imagery from the trailer and video clip lean heavily on the Lord of the Rings films. That’s not a bad thing though. I’m all for a good fantasy film, in whatever language it may be in.

Here are some trailers:

Waterville Valley Resort's Russian Fairy Tale Art Exhibit

Waterville Valley Resort's Russian Fairy Tale Art Exhibit

Master artists will bring magic of The Snow Maiden to Waterville Valley Resort this fall. Master decorative artists/teachers Tricia Joiner (Waterville Valley, NH) and Slava Letkov (Zhostovo, Russia), will demonstrate the creation of a series of fine art panels depicting episodes of the Russian fairy tale, "The Snow Maiden."

The panels are being painted by a group of Joiner's students from around the U.S. and Canada. The work is being done over the next month in the Town Square and the public is invited to stop by and observe the progress. The finished works will be unveiled at the Margret and H.A. Rey Center during the Thanksgiving weekend and on display during the winter holiday season in the Town Square shop windows. The panels will be featured at the Cookies, Snow, and Fairy Tales festival on December 12, 2009.

October 2009: Fairy Tales on Stage Part 2

Once again, a mix of interesting productions of fairy tales around the world. This is not exhaustive, but representative of some of the more interesting productions.

CBT's 'Snow White' is in black and white

With the company’s opening shows this weekend, the contrast will be represented with “Snow White: An Unlikely Tale of Lasting Love and Friendship,” designed for afternoon performances, and “Mirror Mirror: A Wicked Take on the Classic Snow White,” the evening fare.

North Carolina Dance Theatre choreographer Mark Diamond says his “Snow White” is a family friendly take he originated for his Charlotte audiences. “It is the basic fairy tale what we’re used to,” says Diamond, who sprinkled his traditional version with lots of laughter and color – in two acts.

Justo’s choreography sets the tale – “Mirror Mirror” – in the highly competitive modern-day fashion industry (think “The Devil Wears Prada”). It’s a story that takes the audience into the mind of the wicked, narcissistic queen.

Children's theatre: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Wimbledon

Polka Theatre will be turned into fairy tale central from Wednesday as they perform a new multi-sensory reworking of the classic story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

The venues adventure theatre space is to be magically transformed with leaves growing up from the floor and a stove glowing quietly in the corner, with lots of different sized houses for children to peer into.

With lots of exciting and familiar smells for audiences to enjoy, from damp leaves in the forest to the aroma of actual porridge being cooked, the show is a treat for all the senses and is particularly suitable for visually impaired children.

There will also be two versions of the show, the standard one for children between three and five and other special performances for toddlers between one and two years-old which will be shorter in length and much more tactile.

Theatre: Once Upon a Fairy Tale at Colour House Theatre, Colliers Wood

Disaster has struck in fairy tale land. The characters have escaped and if they don't return to their books by midnight they will be lost forever!

"It's a modern fairy tale about a little boy called Billy who wants to spend all his time on his computer and not read any books," says the company's owner and producer of the show Laura Page, who also stars in it alongside Orla Mullan and Craig Gordan.

"His mum sends him to his room and he knocks the bookshelf over and all the characters escape.

"The fairy godmother then comes to him and tells him he has to get them all back by midnight or the books will be erased from the shelves.

"He gives in and travels with her to fairy tale land and meets lots of the characters and tries to get them back."

Thursday in Vancouver: Fallen Princesses

They are fairy-tale princesses like you’ve never seen before: Snow White is juggling two babies while her Prince Charming watches television - or Rapunzel sitting forlornly in a hospital room with her long blond wig lying desolate in her lap. Dina Goldstein pokes fun at our love affair with Disney's princesses in Fallen Princesses – poor ladies, it looks like the fairy godmother just up and ditched you… Fallen Princesses at the Buschlen Mowatt Gallery opens tonight (Thursday, October 22) More on Fallen Princesses here.

The Olde World Theatre's Hansel and Gretel

The production also features thunder and lightning, dancing skeletons, atmospheric use of a black light and a general nod in the direction of Halloween by which audience members are encouraged to arrive in costume. Beneath the cottage-industry SFX is the essential tale of two kiddies lost in the woods, which Steine has expanded to include a back-story, plus a focus on family values and a “green” sensitivity about the balance of nature. Lest anyone think Steine’s gone soft on his penchant for tongue-in-cheek humor, he comes through himself in the original role of Baron von Lumber (aka Herr Schnitzel), and there are comic fillips in the script that recall the fun of PeeWee’s Playhouse.

October 2009: Fairy Tales on Stage Part 2

Once again, a mix of interesting productions of fairy tales around the world. This is not exhaustive, but representative of some of the more interesting productions.

CBT's 'Snow White' is in black and white

With the company’s opening shows this weekend, the contrast will be represented with “Snow White: An Unlikely Tale of Lasting Love and Friendship,” designed for afternoon performances, and “Mirror Mirror: A Wicked Take on the Classic Snow White,” the evening fare.

North Carolina Dance Theatre choreographer Mark Diamond says his “Snow White” is a family friendly take he originated for his Charlotte audiences. “It is the basic fairy tale what we’re used to,” says Diamond, who sprinkled his traditional version with lots of laughter and color – in two acts.

Justo’s choreography sets the tale – “Mirror Mirror” – in the highly competitive modern-day fashion industry (think “The Devil Wears Prada”). It’s a story that takes the audience into the mind of the wicked, narcissistic queen.

Children's theatre: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Wimbledon

Polka Theatre will be turned into fairy tale central from Wednesday as they perform a new multi-sensory reworking of the classic story, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

The venues adventure theatre space is to be magically transformed with leaves growing up from the floor and a stove glowing quietly in the corner, with lots of different sized houses for children to peer into.

With lots of exciting and familiar smells for audiences to enjoy, from damp leaves in the forest to the aroma of actual porridge being cooked, the show is a treat for all the senses and is particularly suitable for visually impaired children.

There will also be two versions of the show, the standard one for children between three and five and other special performances for toddlers between one and two years-old which will be shorter in length and much more tactile.

Theatre: Once Upon a Fairy Tale at Colour House Theatre, Colliers Wood

Disaster has struck in fairy tale land. The characters have escaped and if they don't return to their books by midnight they will be lost forever!

"It's a modern fairy tale about a little boy called Billy who wants to spend all his time on his computer and not read any books," says the company's owner and producer of the show Laura Page, who also stars in it alongside Orla Mullan and Craig Gordan.

"His mum sends him to his room and he knocks the bookshelf over and all the characters escape.

"The fairy godmother then comes to him and tells him he has to get them all back by midnight or the books will be erased from the shelves.

"He gives in and travels with her to fairy tale land and meets lots of the characters and tries to get them back."

Thursday in Vancouver: Fallen Princesses

They are fairy-tale princesses like you’ve never seen before: Snow White is juggling two babies while her Prince Charming watches television - or Rapunzel sitting forlornly in a hospital room with her long blond wig lying desolate in her lap. Dina Goldstein pokes fun at our love affair with Disney's princesses in Fallen Princesses – poor ladies, it looks like the fairy godmother just up and ditched you… Fallen Princesses at the Buschlen Mowatt Gallery opens tonight (Thursday, October 22) More on Fallen Princesses here.

The Olde World Theatre's Hansel and Gretel

The production also features thunder and lightning, dancing skeletons, atmospheric use of a black light and a general nod in the direction of Halloween by which audience members are encouraged to arrive in costume. Beneath the cottage-industry SFX is the essential tale of two kiddies lost in the woods, which Steine has expanded to include a back-story, plus a focus on family values and a “green” sensitivity about the balance of nature. Lest anyone think Steine’s gone soft on his penchant for tongue-in-cheek humor, he comes through himself in the original role of Baron von Lumber (aka Herr Schnitzel), and there are comic fillips in the script that recall the fun of PeeWee’s Playhouse.

Take a Ride in My Pumpkin

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere. It's the season for them, so I thought I'd share some pumpkin carriages, Cinderella-style for a lighthearted Monday entry. This was a quick entry, so no editorials, just imagery. Clicking on an image should take you to the origin sites, all of which I thank for the images.

Take a Ride in My Pumpkin

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere. It's the season for them, so I thought I'd share some pumpkin carriages, Cinderella-style for a lighthearted Monday entry. This was a quick entry, so no editorials, just imagery. Clicking on an image should take you to the origin sites, all of which I thank for the images.

Disney's Fairy Tale Rings

The "Kirstie Kelly for Disney by Mouwad" collection of rings was just unveiled at Bridal Week in New York...

One of the biggest fairy tale related stories of the week is Disney's new foray into engagement rings named for the fairy tale princesses. So now you can own a ring officially named for a fairy tale princess if you like. I finally found images of all six rings instead of the random unnamed ones found in the countless articles from this week about this line. Didn't expect MTV to be one of the more helpful articles, but it was!

I admit I'm not seeing much of a correlation between design and princess, but the rings are attractive. A simple internet search will help you find retail locations but they won't be available until Spring 2010.

I like these three below better than the ones pictured above...I'm tied between Snow White and Sleeping Beauty for my favorites. You can also see images of the related gowns at this gallery.

Disney's Fairy Tale Rings

The "Kirstie Kelly for Disney by Mouwad" collection of rings was just unveiled at Bridal Week in New York...

One of the biggest fairy tale related stories of the week is Disney's new foray into engagement rings named for the fairy tale princesses. So now you can own a ring officially named for a fairy tale princess if you like. I finally found images of all six rings instead of the random unnamed ones found in the countless articles from this week about this line. Didn't expect MTV to be one of the more helpful articles, but it was!

I admit I'm not seeing much of a correlation between design and princess, but the rings are attractive. A simple internet search will help you find retail locations but they won't be available until Spring 2010.

I like these three below better than the ones pictured above...I'm tied between Snow White and Sleeping Beauty for my favorites. You can also see images of the related gowns at this gallery.

Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love

So the first issue of the six part series, Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love, a Fables spin-off is due out on November 4. Here's more information below. I'm sure this will be collected into another collection issue (which is how I get my Fables and Jack of Fables, I admit) after all six issues have been released although I haven't seen an announcement yet.

And here's more to help you read all about it:

Written by Chris Roberson Art by Shawn McManus Cover by Chrissie Zullo When supernatural artifacts from the Homelands begin surfacing in the modern world, it falls to Cinderella, Fabletown's best kept (and best dressed) secret agent to stop the illegal trafficking. But can Cindy foil the dark plot before Fabletown and its hidden, exiled inhabitants are exposed once and for all? And how does her long lost Fairy Godmother factor into the equation? Whether she's soaring through clouds, deep-sea diving, or cracking jaws, Cindy travels from Manhattan to Dubai and hooks up with a handsome, familiar accomplice who may be harboring secret motives of his own. Meanwhile, trouble brews back home in Fabletown when Cindy's overworked, underappreciated assistant decides to seize control of The Glass Slipper, Cindy's exclusive shoe boutique. Writer Chris Roberson (occasional contributor to HOUSE OF MYSTERY and JACK OF FABLES), artist Shawn McManus (SANDMAN, THESSALY: WITCH FOR HIRE) and evocative new cover painter Chrissie Zullo deliver Cindy's first major solo adventure replete with sex, spies and magical shoes in the 6-issue CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE.

Cinderella: Superspy: Writer Talks 'Fables' Spin-off

Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love, next month's six-issue mini-series by writer Chris Roberson and artist Shawn McManus, will show the kick-ass side of Cindy as she faces a formidable foe from the Fable lands.

The mini-series is a spin-off from the ongoing Vertigo series Fables, the comic by Bill Willingham that follows the adventures of fairy tale characters who escaped from an invasion of their magical world to form a secret community in the heart of New York City. The almost-immortal "fables," as they're called, still hold somewhat true to their histories, but have evolved over the hundreds of years that they've been walking around our "mundane" world.

Fables has been one of the publisher's more successful titles, currently on issue #90 with a spin-off series, Jack of Fables already over 30 issues strong. Fables is also being translated for television as ABC has ordered a pilot for an hour-long drama series based on the series.

And another Newsarama article: Cinderella, Super-Spy: Roberson on the Fables Spin-Off

You can read Chris Roberson's announcement about the series on his site.


You can also read posts about the series on the Vertigo blog.

And another article: Willingham Expands the Fables Universe:Fables creator Bill Willingham discusses the state of Fables, his new novel, and the upcoming Cinderella mini-series

So either head to your favorite bookstore or order online or wait for the compilation issue sometime next year. The images are for the first three issues, due out in November, December and January, respectively.

Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love

So the first issue of the six part series, Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love, a Fables spin-off is due out on November 4. Here's more information below. I'm sure this will be collected into another collection issue (which is how I get my Fables and Jack of Fables, I admit) after all six issues have been released although I haven't seen an announcement yet.

And here's more to help you read all about it:

Written by Chris Roberson Art by Shawn McManus Cover by Chrissie Zullo When supernatural artifacts from the Homelands begin surfacing in the modern world, it falls to Cinderella, Fabletown's best kept (and best dressed) secret agent to stop the illegal trafficking. But can Cindy foil the dark plot before Fabletown and its hidden, exiled inhabitants are exposed once and for all? And how does her long lost Fairy Godmother factor into the equation? Whether she's soaring through clouds, deep-sea diving, or cracking jaws, Cindy travels from Manhattan to Dubai and hooks up with a handsome, familiar accomplice who may be harboring secret motives of his own. Meanwhile, trouble brews back home in Fabletown when Cindy's overworked, underappreciated assistant decides to seize control of The Glass Slipper, Cindy's exclusive shoe boutique. Writer Chris Roberson (occasional contributor to HOUSE OF MYSTERY and JACK OF FABLES), artist Shawn McManus (SANDMAN, THESSALY: WITCH FOR HIRE) and evocative new cover painter Chrissie Zullo deliver Cindy's first major solo adventure replete with sex, spies and magical shoes in the 6-issue CINDERELLA: FROM FABLETOWN WITH LOVE.

Cinderella: Superspy: Writer Talks 'Fables' Spin-off

Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love, next month's six-issue mini-series by writer Chris Roberson and artist Shawn McManus, will show the kick-ass side of Cindy as she faces a formidable foe from the Fable lands.

The mini-series is a spin-off from the ongoing Vertigo series Fables, the comic by Bill Willingham that follows the adventures of fairy tale characters who escaped from an invasion of their magical world to form a secret community in the heart of New York City. The almost-immortal "fables," as they're called, still hold somewhat true to their histories, but have evolved over the hundreds of years that they've been walking around our "mundane" world.

Fables has been one of the publisher's more successful titles, currently on issue #90 with a spin-off series, Jack of Fables already over 30 issues strong. Fables is also being translated for television as ABC has ordered a pilot for an hour-long drama series based on the series.

And another Newsarama article: Cinderella, Super-Spy: Roberson on the Fables Spin-Off

You can read Chris Roberson's announcement about the series on his site.


You can also read posts about the series on the Vertigo blog.

And another article: Willingham Expands the Fables Universe:Fables creator Bill Willingham discusses the state of Fables, his new novel, and the upcoming Cinderella mini-series

So either head to your favorite bookstore or order online or wait for the compilation issue sometime next year. The images are for the first three issues, due out in November, December and January, respectively.