After all, who needs three wishes? – A wild swan and other tales, the reverse of fairy tales

Abstract

Mainly known for his novel The Hours (adapted for the big screen), Michael Cunningham wrote A Wild Swan and Other Tales, published in 2015, a tale book that leaves us completely bewildered by its categories derogation. Several characters incarnate the anti-hero figure, replacing the prince charming established by fairy tale rules: for example, an alcoholic prince with a swan arm; the old lady of Hansel and Gretel being a solitary old red head ex-prostitute; the Snow White Prince showing some necrophilia fetishes; the Steadfast Tin Soldier without a leg and a whorehouse costumer, among other… In the jungle of the real world, without any magic or spells, these characters contradict the convenient suggestion of living happily ever after. The author’s goal is to reinterpret ten children’s tales, creating an adult and clearly dark version of them, making us doubt the typical happy-ending. These versions overcome the fairy tale structure beyond the celebration ending, and arouse multiple questions in the reader. Cunningham rewrites prequels and sequels of a possible present that, without victories or conquests, praise a plausible reality of each character, but leaves us the future enigma.