Good collection of the more "gruesome" fairy tales?

Question

So, I know that the original fairy tales from way back when were more gruesome than Disney or the Bros. Grimm let on. like about Cinderella killing her dad's first wife and more stuff that was deemed not suitable for children. My question is does anyone know where to find a good collection of these stories, either in print or on the internet?

Answer 1

I found out about the more...let's say...grotesque versions of these stories about 7 months ago and now I'm kind of obsessed. I have a couple of links and I'll give you descriptions of the links:

http://www.quizilla.com/users/Akineal/quizzes/Things%20you%20didn't%20know%20about%20your%20favorite%20children's%20stories/

http://www.quizilla.com/users/Akineal/quizzes/More%20things%20you%20didn't%20know%20about%20your%20favorite%20childhood%20stories/

http://www.quizilla.com/users/TheDarkLordHappyPants/quizzes/The%20REAL%20Version%20of%20Disney%20Classics/

These are from quizilla and are synopses of certain stories. I know its a quizilla thing and you have to click them all, but it's worth it.

http://www.public.iastate.edu/~lhagge/sun,moon.htm

This is the older version of Sleeping Beauty...much more intriguing I think.

Enjoy!

Answer 2

There are multiple versions of the fairly tales which were oral traditions collected by the Grimm Brothers--they didn't create them. Some darker and more violent than others. And I think you're confused about Cinderella killing her father's first wife--that was her mother. The older versions tend to be more dark and closer to the originals, also the German versions. Whatever you do, forget the movie Brothers Grimm--it was AWFUL--although gruesome. Just start checking them out at library, in bookstores and online.

Answer 3

This is an awesome question I had no idea really. I know of a graphic novel series called Grim Fairy Tales some slightly gruesome however just more adult but with violence. I hope someone can help you better. I'm intersted as well now.

Answer 4

I found a couple of sites, typing in "fairy tales origins". there are more, but they are scholarly works that aren't such interesting reading unless you're working on your PhD!

The fairy tales we read are mostly from 1) the Grimm brothers, who were linguists who went around Germany in the 1800's listening to people tell folk tales. They rewrote them and published them in a volume; 2) Hans Christian Anderson, a Danish writer who wrote all his fairy tales himself. I, personally, find Anderson's stories creepier. The Grimm Brothers stories are the kind you are looking for, that evolved over the years from some earlier legends into more amusing ttales. The Grimm's stories were not particularly meant for children, while Anderson's stories were, which makes them creepy.


http://www.bobhuang.com/essays/essay22.htm
http://www.cerritos.edu/fquaas/resources/English100/fairytalelinks.htm