Fairy Stories & Fairy Stories

Traditional Tales for Children, Contemporary Tales for Adults

By: Clive Johnson

Narrated by: Clive Johnson

Fairy stories have captivated the hearts and minds of children over many centuries. With their stories of witches and fairies, enchanting castles, and beautiful princesses, they contain all the right ingredients for exciting a young mind. But as is well known, the truths that can be found within these timeless compositions are rich in meaning and metaphor.

In this innovative book, narrated by the author, seven traditional tales are beautifully retold. Appealing to children, these are also intended to inspire new meaning for adults. Combined with each classical retelling is a short story that aims to maintain the spirit and messages contained in the children's versions.

These parallel stories are specifically written for adults, set in a wide range of environments, and featuring characters who encounter a whole host of very real human challenges and dilemmas. Loan sharks and wife-beaters, compulsive gamblers and manslaughterers all feature here. But, so too, do stories of transformation and redemption, and journeys of self-discovery and unlikely friendship.

Each pair of stories is accompanied by a commentary on how they might be interpreted. The result is a collection of wonderful tales that may continue to enthrall children, whilst offering fresh levels of meaning that might be appreciated by an older audience.

Please note: The traditional tales that are included in this title (and having familiar titles) are suitable for children. Each new, parallel tale is intended for an adult audience.

©2016 Clive Johnson (P)2016 Clive Johnson

great writer, great narrator

Would you consider the audio edition of Fairy Stories & Fairy Stories to be better than the print version?

definitely, it is the work of story teller.

What did you like best about this story?

the arch and flow

Have you listened to any of Clive Johnson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

great work, very lyrical

If you could take any character from Fairy Stories & Fairy Stories out to dinner, who would it be and why?

all of them

Any additional comments?

brilliant, a masterpiece, I love Clive Johnson

Clive Johnson is a genius

Where does Fairy Stories & Fairy Stories rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I bought this because I'm a big fan of J.-M. Kuczynski's podcast on podomatic, Analytic Philosophy, and Kuczynski has been hard-selling this guy. That said, it is a good book, and I'm glad I bought it, for the reasons that Kuczynski says. I haven't listened to his thing on the Arabian Nights yet.

What did you like best about this story?

The combination of the old and the new.

What about Clive Johnson’s performance did you like?

Sane, compassion, intelligent

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

it was all moving

Any additional comments?

I want to hear more from this author!

Clive Johnson is a 21st Century Aesop

Would you consider the audio edition of Fairy Stories & Fairy Stories to be better than the print version?

Yes, dramatically. You really have to hear it, because it's drama, in the truest sense of the word. And it's real art.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fairy Stories & Fairy Stories?

I love the part about the wayward vicar and his understanding wife.

Have you listened to any of Clive Johnson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was not narrated by Clive Johnson.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

All of the above.

Any additional comments?

A very wise and (more importantly!) entertaining book.

Excellent!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I love that the narrator was the author. it doesn't happen often but it means that the person narrating connects with the characters better.

This was a really good book and I love everything about it!