There are other worlds than these
Okay, we already know this. Especially Stephen King readers, considering you just have to think of the Dark Tower series, which delves into this theme partially. King has likely written every kind of book by now. However, a fairy tale hasn’t emerged from his witch’s kitchen yet. Until now. Although the fourth installment of the aforementioned series (The Wind Through the Keyhole) comes pretty close. And while it’s typical in the works of the American master for fundamentally unrelated universes to intertwine, it’s not questionable that with a fairy tale, you need to venture into another world. Well, if you can bear with it until then.
Thorough preparation for the unknown
Roughly one-third of Stephen King’s heavyweight Fairy Tale is just the introduction. What other authors accomplish in twenty pages, he generously multiplies by ten. (Perhaps even half would be MORE than enough.) Of course, when it comes to him, this is a forgivable offense. If someone can write so captivatingly about a grumpy old man and his decrepit, old dog, then there’s nothing to do but read on. Especially since King continuously piques your curiosity. And the slow-starting friendship between the old man harboring mythical secrets and the well-meaning, penance-prepared Charlie Reade is also hindered by numerous difficulties and vile villains.
To pave a direct path from the acquaintance of Mr. Bowditch and Charlie to another world, some authorial assistance doesn’t hurt. This thing has a name. It’s called: Radar. Who happens to be a dog.
Ever since I started this blog, it seems like there are far more household pets in the books I read that play significant roles. Which, of course, is not a problem at all: while I’m writing these lines, curled up in the middle of the room, beside me, a pet is snoozing on the rug.
Yet one of the least believable moments in the book “Fairy Tale” is when a sober and well-balanced American teenager is capable of upending virtually his entire life for the sake of a decrepit dog belonging to an elderly man whom he barely knows. Because ultimately, this catalyzes the events of the book. In real life anyone, accepting the order of life, would go to an animal shelter for their own puppy. However, in a Fairy Tale, it’s quite possible that the journey leads towards a deep well, beyond which, along with the dog, awaits Empis, the realm of wonders.
A Fairy Tale with extras
King’s Fairy Tale is a straightforward fantasy novel. Despite its scope, it only features relatively few locations. And among them, the first where Charlie and Radar find themselves after leaving good old Earth, perhaps, is not the most interesting.
It’s as if The Waste Lands of The Dark Tower series crossed paths with the realm of Oz, and the whole thing was dusted with gray powder. It’s easy to imagine that, from the company of Empisians with slowly fading faces, you would long to return to Charlie’s original place of residence.
However, upon arriving in the city of Lilimar, fortunately, this situation no longer threatens. From this point on, King confidently leads towards increasingly tense situations. Until finally, he thrusts you into a dark cell. And locks the door behind you.
Okay, you don’t have to be very frightened. (Unless it’s by the man-eating giant.)
However, the night soldiers, led by the electrifying Lord Kellen, far surpass the opponents of a simple fairy tale; they could hold their own in any serious fantasy. And if there were any doubts before, it’s clear now that you’re not reading a simple fairy tale.
Stephen King doesn’t make a secret of whom he, um, drew inspiration from for this book. From the Brothers Grimm onwards, the list of these authors could be long, even if we only mention those whom he generously refers to in his own work. But one thing’s for sure, with Fairy Tale, King surely ignites the desire to read both Bradbury and Lovecraft.
How cool is it when you quote yourself in your own book! Or make pop culture references. Also, to yourself. (And then a meme with the grinning master could come here.) Cujo, of course, is a no-brainer. However, from the iconic greeting of the Dark Tower (“Long days and pleasant nights!”) or the thesis statement quoted in the very first subtitle, every King fan’s heart surely beats with joy.
Charming Prince, Charlie
“Fairy Tale,” well, it’s indeed a fairy tale. True, fairies don’t exactly feature in it, but every other creature does. Even Jiminy Cricket and the zombies of The Walking Dead pay their respects; albeit aided by a bit of electricity in the latter case.
Despite the cavalcade of background characters, as mentioned above, King’s magical story progresses without too many twists and turns. Charlie Reade propels it forward with momentum. His task is to set things right in the (fairy) world. There’s no one to stop him… A protagonist who might seem too one-dimensional in a more complex fantasy is just right in a fairy tale – with his absolute goodness.
It is said that when you write a novel, it eventually begins to write itself. King might have been like that with his own protagonist. Because when he tries to shade him with supposedly misdeeds from his childhood, you just dismiss it: come on, who the hell cares about this?! King returns to this theme several times, perhaps to emphasize Charlie Reade’s complexity and the ruthlessness required for the difficult task ahead, but each time with little success. Tough luck. After all, he can’t succeed at everything either.
King’s efforts are made even more futile by the fact that the noble folk of Empis, – those who are still alive, of course, – see the long-prophesied prince in the boy. (Which couldn’t have been too long ago, considering the cataclysm that turned this Fairy Tale World upside down happened barely a decade or two ago.)
And it seems that the prince’s path is already paved far ahead, so Charlie (and Stephen) doesn’t really need much effort. (Just think about how RIDICULOUSLY easy it is to deal with the night soldiers.) Everything goes its own way, just like in a fairy tale… Although poor Prince Charlie barely seems more than a disposable wipe at the end of this road…
Stephen King’s Fairy Tale is not a standard fairy tale and not even fantasy. It’s an exciting, colorful, and unique mix of both. Luckily, almost in the right proportions. Although occasionally, a more thorough preparation might have been needed for this book.
8,3/10
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
608 pages, Hardcover
Published in 2022 by Scribner