I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this. Turns out, it is very much a fairy-tale, though written for adults (heads getting chopped off, first three characters meet on their ways to commit suicide, etc.) I really liked the illustrations... and it was a good read (1 hour? 2 hours, max.) ( )

The best parts of this book are the 4 marvelous Russian wonder stories retold within the narrative -- "Vasily the Luckless," a version new to me of "12 Dancing Princesses," "Nikita the Mean," and "Two Brothers and Misery." Gardner's original tale encompassing the traditional ones is a predictable story about gender reversal.

A wonderful fable by John Gardner, although not exactly for children, about a trio of unhappy folks - a misshapen dwarf of magical powers, a beautiful maiden who is compelled to hide her intelligence and strength, and a prince who would rather play the violin and write poetry than slay the Six-fingered Man, as he is ordered to do. The three have decided individually to end their lives in the Suicide Mountains, but after they meet, conflicting events and feelings change all their plans. One of Gardner's best, and a wonderful modern fairy tale. ( )