Some Kind of Fairy Tale

A Novel

By: Graham Joyce

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Some Kind of Fairy Tale is the mesmerizing new novel from acclaimed author Graham Joyce.

Twenty years ago, 16-year-old Tara Martin disappeared from a small town in the heart of England. Now, her sudden return and the mind-bending tale of where she’s been will challenge our very perception of the truth.

For 20 years after Tara Martin disappeared, her parents and her brother, Peter, lived in denial of the grim fact that she was gone for good. Then suddenly on Christmas Day, the doorbell rings at her parents’ home, and there, dishevelled and slightly peculiar looking, Tara stands. It’s a miracle, but alarm bells are ringing for Peter. Tara’s story just does not add up. And, incredibly, she barely looks a day older than when she vanished.

Award-winning author Graham Joyce is a master of exploring new realms of understanding that exist between dreams and reality, between the known and unknown. Some Kind of Fairy Tale is a one-of-a-kind journey every bit as magical as its title implies - and as real and unsentimental as the world around us.

Graham Joyce, a winner of the O. Henry Award, the British Fantasy Award, and the World Fantasy Award, lives in Leicester, England, with his family. His books include How to Make Friends with Demons, Smoking Poppy, Indigo (a New York Times Notable Book of 2000), The Tooth Fairy (a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1998), and Requiem, among others.

©2012 Graham Joyce (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Joyce blends reality with fantasy in this modern-day fable.… Though Joyce envisions an intriguing realm nestled against our own, what’s most compelling are his characters’ chaotic emotions and reconnections as they struggle to cope with what they can’t understand.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Reality and fairy tale are beautifully interwoven in this contemplative story about relationships, love, and dreams. In a unique blend of thriller and fantasy, Joyce creates a delightful page-turner that his fans and newcomers alike will find hard to put down.” ( Booklist)

Some Fairy Tale!!

I just finished listening to this book – twice. I was very impressed at how I was transported to this town in ‘anywhere’ where a loved one has mysteriously disappeared for 20 years and mysteriously returned - and this family’s story of loss, regret, and love.

I don’t think John Lee was the best narrator selection for this book; it could have been so much better without his histrionic tones – I completely felt like I was listening to “Pillars of the Earth” or any other Ken Follet novel, at the beginning – eventually I was absorbed enough to get over it.

The family and ‘past’ love was at the heart of this story and so completely felt and expressed that it is difficult for me to convey. Tara Martin’s parents and brother’s horror, dismay, then acceptance of her probable death; her lover’s horrific treatment by the police and complete acceptance of responsibility and life altering despair of what may have happened to her - were the theme of their existence before Tara’s return.

I was not expecting the explanation of her disappearance for 20 years – it didn’t take long to start in the novel. Her explanation is hard to take as reality for the family and loved ones, but hard to discount – for reasons I won’t say. Her return to the family and past love is so real; the important people that need to believe just want something they CAN believe, and the one who does not matter believes her and gives her a path forward.

It is some kind of fairy tale – a very different one than I have ever understood. It was interesting - at the beginning of nearly every chapter there were quotes from famous historical authors/people about fairy tales. Some put a bit of perspective, some I will have to listen again to see. Then there were the psychologist’s point of view which I found bothering, humorous, and disturbing.

I highly recommend this book. This is a fantastic work of literary fiction. It is worth the listen on so many levels. It is not depressing, it is somewhat uplifting – if there were just one more chapter it would have made me feel better, but that is not always the goal.

Worth the credit and I will listen again.

The question of her mental health is compelling...

If you could sum up Some Kind of Fairy Tale in three words, what would they be?

Hard to believe. Or, Leap of faith.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Tara - a young woman who went with a stranger on a six month journey only to return home and discover that 20 years had passed in the world she knew. Everyone she loved had presumed her dead. Upon her brother's urging, Tara consults a psychiatrist. The question of her mental health is compelling. Is her story true? There is no doubt that Tara believes her story. But just because Tara believes it doesn't mean it's true. It's fascinating to watch all the characters in this novel, including Tara, struggle with this question.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

John Lee delivered a fine performance, but it wasn't a stellar performance. Personally, since the story is about a young woman, I would have preferred a female reader.

Absolutely beautiful

I would read this book again and again. It was simply lovely, a beautiful mix of story, legend, and history, and one of the most satisfying books I've read this year. It was mysterious in all the right parts and ways. If you have any inclination towards faerie folklore or magical realism, you are sure to find this delightful.

Rich Characters, but a Somewhat Lackluster Plot

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, I would recommend this audiobook, but not very highly. If one is interested in a low-key, slower-paced type of story line, then he/she would probably enjoy this book.

Would you recommend Some Kind of Fairy Tale to your friends? Why or why not?

Please see answer above.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

Richie (the former boyfriend from 20 years ago) was one of the most interesting characters in this novel.

Could you see Some Kind of Fairy Tale being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes, I could see an abridged version of this book being made into a movie, perhaps starring Ellen Page and Matt Damon or James Franco.

Any additional comments?

None at this time.

...not Alice but Sexy in Wonderland!

If you could sum up Some Kind of Fairy Tale in three words, what would they be?

Odyssey of Wonderland

What other book might you compare Some Kind of Fairy Tale to and why?

My first thoughts were of Looking Through The Looking Glass or possibly Alice and Wonderland . I would say more of the latter due to the fact Tara returned from this fairyland to try and readjust to normal life because there have been many variations of that story in itself which would collate it to this one.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were many scenes I loved in this book which makes it rather hard to put a finger on the best one. If I had to pick one, I would say the story of sex women..., it was rather shocking. I like shocks in a storyline and it wasn't so much of a jolt that it turned me off from the story, in fact it added a tasteful allure to the audio.

If you could rename Some Kind of Fairy Tale, what would you call it?

Odyssey Through A Wonderland

Any additional comments?

I was skeptical of John Lee's ability to pull off the female lead however he did a wonderful job. I loved this novel so much that I listen to it twice and would listen to it again just for the bliss of it. I highly recommend this novel it was delightful and enjoyable to listen to. This was my first Graham Joyce novel, however I will certainly search out more of her work.

Fun Book

it is an enjoyable story with excellent narration. it is different than some of the other fairy stories I have read.

Spirited Away

What do fairy tales tell us about ourselves as human beings? Graham has written a deeply mysterious novel about a 15 year old girl, Tara, who goes missing for 20 years and then suddenly reappears without seemingly having aged more than a few months.

The story draws upon fairy tales, folk-lore and psychology in seeking some sort of explanation for Tara's strange disappearance and reappearance. It is a modern re-telling of the classic story of claimed abduction and missing time and raises the question of why tales like these are such a perennial aspect of human culture--whether the claimed abductors are fairies, demons or UFO aliens.

The title of the book says it well; it really is "some kind of fairy tale" and it will leave you wondering...

Graham Joyce: Not To Be Missed !

If you could sum up Some Kind of Fairy Tale in three words, what would they be?

Modern Day Fairytale !

What did you like best about this story?

It is an adult fairy tale meant to challenge, inspire and lead the reader down creative paths that have never been followed.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

John Lee is ALWAYS good. But since he read Ken Folletts' "Pillars Of The Earth" so well and with such distiction, there were times when I felt like I was back in the world of Follett rather than Joyce.

Any additional comments?

Graham Joyce is an important writer for our time and none of his books should go un-read.

Cool fantasy novel

Would you consider the audio edition of Some Kind of Fairy Tale to be better than the print version?

The novel keeps you guessing until the end. The narrator does a good job conveying the accents of the characters as well.

Very haunting story

It reminded me a little of Neil Gaimans Ocean at the End of the Lane. Where the person telling the story was an unreliable narrator. It was a story that was either made up or remembered that way through a child's perception. In this story the person was an adult which suffered a trauma as a child or young adult (15 yrs old) and so to protect herself she remembered being in some kind of fairy tale world. When she disappeared 20 yrs earlier it affected the people around her and their stories are told as well. The story kept me interested throughout and it was one that makes you think about what you might have remembered as a child that didn't quite happen that way.