Quite Contrary

By: Richard Roberts

Narrated by: Amy Rubinate

The secret of having an adventure is getting lost. Who ever visited an enchanted kingdom or fell into a fairy tale without wandering into the woods first? Well, Mary is lost. Mary is lost in the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and that is a cruel and murderous story. She's put on the red hood and met the wolf. When she gives in to her wolf's temptations, she will die. That's how the story goes, after all. Unfortunately for the story and unfortunately for the wolf, this Little Red Riding Hood is Mary Stuart, and she is the most stubborn and contrary 12-year-old the world has ever known. Forget the wolf's temptations, forget the advice of the talking rat trying to save her - Mary will kick her way through every myth and fairy tale ever told until she finds a way to get out of this alive. Her own way and no one else's.

©2014 Richard Roberts (P)2015 Tantor

A fun story worth reading and rereading

This story has interesting characters and an intriguing world that is itself a collage of story worlds, some of which are very familiar and others entirely original. The story isn't just about Mary, but about stories themselves, the power they have, the way they grow and change with the telling, the way they follow patterns, and how someone savvy to these patterns can manipulate them. This is also one of those stories that benefits from a second reading l, where you go "oh yeah, he DID say that" or "She was just looking at it the wrong way". I can't say any more about that without spoilers, but I'm a sucker for prophecies that come true in cleverly unexpected ways and clues that you don't NEED to get to enjoy the story, but if you DO get them, you feel really clever. If you like stories about stories and magic and growing as a person, I think you'll like this one.

Best story I've ever read or heard

This is the oldest story I can think of. Told so many different ways, it's like a living thing. The way Roberts told it... No words. Experience it yourself.

For people wanting to know why I say that, I'll give a few reasons. The characters are deep, real, and believable, they bring the story to life. The MC is perfect in every way for a modern telling of this story. The villain... The main villain of this story is at the same time the most horrible, terrifying, and awe inspiring thing I've read about. The villain made this story, and always has, but his time you get every note. You will hate him, fear him, feel utter disgust, but you can't dismiss him or his memory. Last, the world... Or Worlds. Every story and all their Worlds. Mythology, fairytales, horror, mystery, history, fantasy, and steam punk... I think the only world that didn't really appear was a solid sci-fi... Though it got close a couple times.

Just read or listen to this book. It is the best book I have ever read or listened to.

A very dark fairy tale.

This story is very dark and gets darker as it progresses. The main character, Red Riding Hood, AKA: Mary Stuart, is only 12 years old. What she knows is far beyond what any 12 year old should know. She comes across a lot older. Even the voice used. It is a woman's voice. I'm sure it's the narrator's normal voice and the story is told on first person POV, but it doesn't work to "suspend disbelief " for anyone to see the character as a 12 year old. So if you enjoy dark fairy tale retelling S, this book is probably for you. If you don't like dark and sinister, which I'm not a fan, don't.

Excellent retelling!

This was great. Kinda spooky, kinda funny, took some turns I wasn't expecting. Overall very satisfying read.

Quite contrary

This book is so interesting I listened to he whole thing on one go. Definitely would recommend it -I’m twelve.