Erotic Fairy Tales: A Romp through the Classics

Rating:
Summary: A great take on the classic fairy tale genre!
Review: Although I've read erotic fairy tales in the past by other writers, this collection is definitely a cut above the rest. The author successfully manages to warp them with an original and often humourous twist, meanwhile leaving the concept of the fairy tale intact, in that the tales still retain their wonderful fairy tale quality rather than disappearing beneath modern-day speech and style. That is what makes them so enjoyable -- you are lulled into this false sense of a fairy tale that, on the surface, appears innocuous. Then bang -- you suddenly realize that you are not reading what you think you're reading! Each tale is prefaced with a fascinating and informative introduction (not at all what you'd expect in an erotica book!), which sets out the history of each tale and discusses the original erotic content that was expurgated through the centuries. Mitzi Szereto's Erotic Fairy Tales is a real treat!

Rating:
Summary: A rollicking good read!
Review: Author Mitzi Szereto has served up a tasty feast of erotic fun in this sparkling collection of stories. From the well-known to the obscure, she tackles the fairy/folktale genre with charm, wit and sexiness. A truly entertaining and original read.

Rating:
Summary: Perfection!
Review: Frankly, I was a little surprised to see some of the below reviews, which seem to complain that there isn't enough sex in the book. Not quite sure what book these people are reading, but there's sex aplenty in Ms. Szereto's brilliant volume. Perhaps the problem is that this collection of erotic stories is too intelligent and artful for the typical one-handed reader. Erotic Fairy Tales is more on a par with top-class literature than a vibrator substitute. And thank goodness for that, since it's restored my faith that contemporary authors can actually craft fine erotica on a par with the classics. This is an adult book for a sophisticated adult mind, not juvenile sex prattle. I suspect that this will become a modern-day classic. Well worth reading, in my view!

Rating:
Summary: And now for something completely different...
Review: I was very disappointed by these stories - while there is sex added to the stories, it isn't erotic. The idea of Prince Charming masturbating with glass slippers is not just unerotic, it's simply unpleasant. There is also a fair amount of gratuitous spite added as well. Frequent lapses of grammar and usage are a constant irritant. What a shame - such a great concept, but a poor execution.

Rating:
Summary: A delightful romp through the classics!
Review: I've been duped. The author has succesfully conned me out of my money by convincing me this book was actually worth reading.

I'll warn other readers right now, Szereto's versions of the classics are nothing more than a copy and paste scam with sentences and big words added to make her work appear "eloquent". She introduced each tale with a prologue that explained it's history, which gave me the impression she had done extensive research on the subject. Upon reading the tale itself, however, I was appalled by the lack of orgininality and distracted by the random inserstion of "big" words. Not that I mind big words, but not when they're thrown in with the expertise of a amateur. And what's worse, she mixes what she *thinks* is Shakespearean English with modern day slang, often in the same paragraph, creating a literary disaster!

And erotica? Don't get me started on that one. It's gave me a real fit to pick up this book expecting to be eroticized only to be sorely dissappointed. Szereto has no respect whatsoever for sex, treating it with as much reverence as a immature teen who jokes about sex but knows nothing about it. Here is a sample from her idea of "Sleeping Beauty", where the Prince has discovered the sleeping Princess:

"A pair of gossamer wings began to slowly unfold, as if readying themselves for flight. However, no such enterprise would be forthcoming, for it appeared that the fragile creature was being held back by two fuzz-covered pods, which had closed fast around its struggling body."

I was completely thrown off by these lines. What the hell was I reading about, insects? It took me quite some time to figure out what the heck she was referring to.

That is what the stories do--they make fun of sex, they don't explore it nor they do they take the reader into a new horizon of sensuality. Instead, they lead the reader right back to today's juvenile mis-treatment of what's supposed to be EROTIC. Save your money, and keep looking. I know I'll have to.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!
Review: If you are looking for a book to really turn you on, this is not the book. There is almost an imbalance between the good retelling of the fairytale and good erotic material. The stories that seemed to best recreate the feeling of the original fairytale seemed less arousing in terms of our modern concepts of sexuality. However, there is a variety of characters, fetishes, and acts for anyone to find something of interest. If you can read the stories as literature first and erotica second, you'll be more pleased than if you are looking for orgasmic aids.

Rating:
Summary: And now for something completely different...
Review: Never been one for fairy tales myself -- until my boyfriend got me this delightful collection of stories for my birthday. I have since become a convert thanks to author Mitzi Szereto. She works within the original framework of the fairy tales, but molds them into something fresh and deliciously erotic. Her storytelling method is rich with symbolism and illusion, and can be enjoyed by both erotica fans and readers of mainstream fiction. There's a wonderful sense of playfulness in the stories, proving wrong those who claim you cannot have humor in erotica. I found the historical introductions a fascinating read, giving me a greater appreciation of a genre I had been dismissive of. I recommend this book to anyone who has an appreciation of quality erotic writing.

Rating:
Summary: Fine literary fare!
Review: Originally I was expecting something along the lines of typical erotica reading. Nothing too taxing on the brain. like most of what you get from writers of erotica. Was I ever wrong! Having never read Ms Szereto's work, I was sadly ignorant of the thoughtful and highly creative way she approaches the erotic. This collection of tales is anything but predictable. In fact, it contains some of the most clever and artful writing I've ever seen in this area of literature. This book is a lot more than just erotica. A superior offering, indeed.