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)

A contemporary tale with an edge

What did you love best about Some Kind of Fairy Tale?

The entire plot has one wondering if it is truth or fiction about Tara. Hauntingly well written , one finds oneself wanting it to be true or maybe not? I listened to the book last week but it has a memorable presence in my mind. I am not a sci-fi fan and this is not strictly that. Listen and understand how a tale can be woven of complex fabic.

What did you like best about this story?

First, I loved the gentle accent and then the plot with its twists and turns. Not every aspect is spelled out such as how Yarrow can survive a death blow and were Tara and Yarrow lovers? so it kept me coming back for more.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nice accent and gentle words.

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

No suggestion. Perfect name

Any additional comments?

Never written a review before but had to do so with this book.

Amazing storytelling

It has been a while since I have heard a story told like this, and so creatively. What a wonderful imagination this author has. The narration was amazing. Completely brought this story to life. Looking for more from this author!! Brilliant!!

disjointed but entertaining

Is there anything you would change about this book?

the ending.....
there were also story lines and characters that were brought in, then at the end didn't seem to relate back. I felt the ending didn't pull back the characters and mini stories. Kind of left me feeling like - "hmmm what about...."

Would you be willing to try another book from Graham Joyce? Why or why not?

sure - I enjoyed the read and never thought about stopping and starting something else.

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

not sure I have a favorite

Did Some Kind of Fairy Tale inspire you to do anything?

no

Any additional comments?

seemed like the "F" word was somewhat gratuitous in some parts of the story.

Just okay

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. It was interesting enough. You really never knew exactly what was the truth or what really happened until you got towards the end. Made me want to keep listening to find out if this was all true or a figment of her imagination.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

More time spent explaining and exploring the "fairy" world.

Did John Lee do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Yes. He did a superb reading job. He made the book much more enjoyable than it may have been with a different reader.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes.

I WOULD GIVE THIS 10 STARS IF I COULD

What did you love best about Some Kind of Fairy Tale?

awesome - really gets you involved in the story

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

you were never really sure if she was telling the truth or not.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great story teller

Who was the most memorable character of Some Kind of Fairy Tale and why?

Cannot say without giving away the story -

Any additional comments?

If you still have a great imagination - pick up this book. I can't say enough about it.

I wish I'd read the other reviews more carefully

Would you try another book from Graham Joyce and/or John Lee?

John Lee, yes. Graham Joyce, definitely not.

Has Some Kind of Fairy Tale turned you off from other books in this genre?

Absolutely I would avoid the genre. I had found it as a bargain two-for-one deal, which might should have been a clue to me, but I've so enjoyed other Audible bargains that I went for what I thought was listed as a "mystery." To me, a mystery is a book that presents puzzling, enticing clues and engages me to "solve" the riddle in a way that weaves in all the various threads. This was no mystery to me. It was a "you'll never guess what happened" that was solved simply by saying, "Well, in the world that I've invented in my mind, it could all happen." That is no solution. There's also a lot of sort of crass, throw away sex that ended up having no meaning or connection to the story whatsoever. "She hugged a tree while he took her from behind," and then moving on. That was it. Who was it? Why were they doing that? Hmm, dunno, just wanted to throw that in, I guess.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I liked Lee's narration, but it seemed like the story would have called for a female reader. The reading was okay.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Some Kind of Fairy Tale?

Either get rid of the "watch me shock you" meaningless sex scenes, or make them meaningful to the story. I don't know, though. That wasn't really my biggest gripe.

Any additional comments?

It was like listening to a two year old make up a story; "And then I flew and then I rode a horsie and then I was Superman and then I was a flower and then can I have some lunch?"

Not a mystery to me

Just Blarney stone and psychobabble. Not a real mystery at all. Could have been good but the blarney was and easy out for and explanation.

Reader Beware....Not an Innocent Fairy Tale!

What would have made Some Kind of Fairy Tale better?

I think it is beyond saving.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure, exempt that it will not be by this author.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Some Kind of Fairy Tale?

Too numerous to choose. There were so many!

Any additional comments?

I'm not sure why I expected, but this was horrible. Don't think because the title suggests it's a type of fairy tale that you can listen with children. You absolutely should not!

a book to long

What was most disappointing about Graham Joyce’s story?

it goes on and on about things Graham Joyce wants (mainly sex) mean while, i want the story to get on.

Narrator ruins a great story

I discovered Graham Joyce just months before he passed away and was so saddened that a great author, with so many incredible stories yet to tell, would not have the chance....
So, I was excited to find this audiobook within Audible and although I was not thrilled with the sample, purchased it hoping it would prove to be better as a whole. I was sorely disappointed. The narrator's sing-song monotonous cadence is extremely distracting, as if he's rushing or listening to the sound of his own voice instead of telling an incredible story to a captive audience. He leaves breathy, annoying trails at the end of sentences. Sometimes he remembers to use one of the bad character voice he's concocted, other times not, so the dialogue can be confusing. It would seem that the producers would've heard all this as the book was in the process of being recorded and stopped it then and there, either directed the narrator to do a better job or scrap him all together. WHY did they do this wonderful story such an injustice?
I'm asking the publisher/service re-record this with Jim Broadbent as the narrator, and get him to record ALL Graham Joyce's books. What a tribute it would be to a fine author.
Until then, I recommend customers actually read the book—and all of Joyce's books for that matter—and not judge it by this terrible narration.