The Valiant Little Tailor: A Novel

A creative take on the classic Grimms fairy tale, "The Valiant Little Tailor" by Éric Chevillard riffs across subject-matters and stories old and new, suggesting the potential in even the most familiar tale. The narrator inserts himself into the story, claiming authorship and restoring the tale's original magnificence. The true hero of the story remains to be seen.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

Once upon a time, a valiant little tailor lived in a small village. He was known for his bravery and his quick wit. One day, while he was working in his shop, he saw a group of flies buzzing around his head. Without hesitation, he swung his sword and killed seven flies with one blow. The villagers were amazed by his skill and praised him for his bravery.

However, the story did not end there. A mysterious narrator suddenly inserted himself into the tale, claiming to be the author. He was indignant that the fairy tale, which had been passed down through generations, had been subjected to the transformations of oral tradition and collected in a lamentable state by the Brothers Grimm. He vowed to restore the tale and its giant-slaying, unicorn-fighting, and boar-hunting star to their original magnificence.

The true hero of the story remained to be seen. Was it the tailor, the narrator, or someone else entirely? The narrator was a mischievous character, who played with the reader's expectations and took the story in new directions. He riffed comfortably across subject-matters and stories old and new, leaving the reader guessing and wondering.

In this explosive retelling of the classic tale, Éric Chevillard enlists the reader in a dizzying game of crack-the-whip. With new directions and delights in every paragraph, the book is a mischievous, multifarious celebration of the power of stories and those who tell them. The tailor, the narrator, and the other characters in the story are all brought to life in vivid detail, and the reader is left to wonder who the true hero of the story is.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves fairy tales and storytelling. It is a creative take on a classic tale that will leave the reader entertained and inspired. The author's writing is witty and clever, and the story is full of surprises. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to experience a new and exciting take on a classic tale.

Weight: 186g
Dimension: 127 x 198 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300253191