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The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories
by Angela Carter
I tried reading one of AC’s novels many years ago, but it was the wrong book for me at that time. When Claire at Paperback Reader who is a huge fan decided to host an Angela Carter month, it was time to try again. I’m glad I did. This time I chose one of her collections of reimagined fairy tales.
The Bloody Chamber has reworkings of several classic tales - Bluebeard, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Red Riding Hood to name a few. Carter takes the essence of each original and creates something that is the complete antithesis of the Disneyfied versions that dominate these days. They are extremely earthy and sensual, full of blood and guts; they’re very dark, yet there are moments of comedy and brightness; and they’re still highly moral – but Carter plays about with the roles – her women give as good as they get!
My favourite was the Erl King – based upon the character of a woodland spirit who tempts travellers through the forest, rather than a classic fairy tale …
… On the trunk of a scarlet rowan a squirrel clung, to watch him; a cock pheasant delicately stretched his shimmering neck from a brake of thorn to peer at him. There was a goat of uncanny whiteness, gleaming like a goat of snow, who turned her mild eyes towards me and bleated softly, so that he knew I had arrived.
He smiles. He lays down his pipe, his elder bird-call. He lays upon me his irrevocable hand.
His eyes are quite green, as if from too much looking at the wood.
There are some eyes can eat you.
Maybe it was the unfamiliarity of the Erl King that really creeped me out on this one – well that and what he does to birds…
I enjoyed all of the tales in this collection with the exception of Puss in Boots. This is the one tale told not from the innocent victim’s side, but from that of Mr Fixit and has a totally different feel to it. However it does break up the collection – before it come three beastly tales going from a predatory monster to a lyon, to a tiger, to Puss – all feline in feel. Then in the second half from the Erl King onwards, we are in the forest and with wolves and creatures of the night.
I am definitely inspired to read more of Angela Carter’s extraordinary fairy tales, and think it may be time to enjoy her novels too. Thank you to Claire for bringing her to me attention once again. (8.5/10)
I have this one on my shelf, but every time I pick it up, I find I am not in the mood. Will have to keep trying!
That was how I felt too for the past few years with Carter. She’s been put on a pedestal by so many I found that intimidating. However the fairy tales are probably a good place to start as you will recognise some of the stories …
So glad to hear you finally had a good experience with Carter! I have read a few of these stories at various points, but I haven’t read them all. I read Wise Children for Claire’s Carter Month, though, and really enjoyed it so I know there will be more thoughtful reading of her works in my future!
Steph – I enjoyed these fairy tales so much I’ve ordered the complete fairy tale collection by her, and I won a copy of the Magic Toyshop in Claire’s giveaway so I hope I’m on a roll. I’m not sure I’m ready for Wise Children yet though.
So pleased that you enjoyed this collection, Annabel, and that you had a more positive experience this time around. The Bloody Chamber is a wonderfully written and revolutionary book; I love how Carter brings out the latent sexuality and the darkness of the fairy tales.
I do enjoy the forest-based stories, especially “The Snow Child” and “The Company of Wolves”. I have read some old Germanic tales and books that mention the Erl King and he/the stories told are disturbing.
I just squeezed into April didn’t I – Roll on Persephone week!
Like Claire, I’m glad to hear Carter won you over with the The Bloody Chamber Annabel. I read this some years ago and still remember it vividly. Her women certainly give as good as they get! (The bloody chamber’s ending in particular made me smile).
I’ve been meaning to read more of her work, so thanks for the reminder- I have a gorgeous Virago anniversary edition of The Magic Toyshop I must move up the TBR list.
I’m determined to read more now I’m in the groove!
I’ve got a copy of this book sitting on my shelves, but still haven’t found the time to get to it yet. I’ve read so many good things about the collection already, I just know I’m going to enjoy it too when I get to reading it.
At under 150 pages, it’s not a long book either, but I’m still thinking about it. I do love fairy tales of all varieties though.
I am reading this at the moment but loving it so much I am only reading one story every few days to make the process last as long as possible, but its very much thanks to Claire that I have gotten around to reading them so soon (I bought them last year but they have been languishing) and of course knowing you love them too is a bonus as ever.
I gorged on them Simon! I always feel I ought to read short stories singly, but never can. But these were all themed and fitted together very nicely – I couldn’t wait to read them all.
I think I read Nights At The Circus years ago when it came out but haven’t read any Angela Carter since.
The fairy tales sound wonderful. I inherited a very old copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales which I read voraciously as a child and it rather spoiled me for any dumbed down versions (gave me nightmares on occasion too but I still kept reading them!)
I know what you mean about reading short stories singly – I can do that sometimes, especially if they are in a large compilation, but when it is a slim book (Minnie’s Room by Mollie Pantner Downs comes to mind) I tend to just read straight through.
I agree that Puss in Boats is not as strong as the rest of the collection. But overall I love it, and i’m glad you did too!