BEASTS AND BEAUTY Dangerous Tales

From the opening tale of a defiant Red Riding Hood to a final, bittersweet vision of a post-Neverland Wendy, this collection of reimagined fairy tales will hold listeners spellbound. While narrator Polly Lee's resonant British-accented voice may remind listeners of the customary storytelling style associated with European fairy tales, the stories herein are far from moralizing nursery fare. Indeed, the juxtaposition of Lee's classic delivery and author Chainani's sharp-edged retellings lends a transgressive thrill to the audiobook experience. Lee's carefully controlled emotions serve to highlight the formidable (sometimes fearsome) femininity displayed by characters of various genders, and her genteel tones make moments of violence seem more threatening in contrast. Overall, it's a triumphant example of using a traditional approach to accentuate deliciously nontraditional stories. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2021]