Idiots: Five Fairy Tales and Other Stories

By Jakob Arjouni

Like a postmodern Aesop, Jakob Arjouni wittily punctures pretension and self-deception. These tales are characterized by ironic humor with an underlying note of melancholy. Among the delightful idiots collected here, the author offers a domineering mother whose rock star son fails to appreciate her efforts on his behalf; a hopeful young movie director with a bad case of writer's block; and an aging author of pulp fiction trying to write one good, serious book before he dies. They are all visited by a fairy who offers to grant one wish, with the exceptions of immortality, health, money, and love. Their wishes, once granted, have stinging consequences--the resolutions of which read like an updated version of the Brothers Grimm. A would-be novelist, whose marriage is on the rocks, longs for excitement and soon finds himself taken hostage by a girl bank robber; and a mysterious old man who comes to a village to end his days in peace winds up the close acquaintance of the local drunk.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590511573
• ISBN13: 9781590511572
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Other Press (NY)
• Length: 269 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.7" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Read!

I picked up this book because of the interesting title. I knew nothing about it or the author when I got it. Then, I started reading it, and I couldn't put it down. It is an interesting book of short stories with a little bit of humanity... The book is a collection of short stories, all of which have a connected theme, five of which have a connected plot device. The book really is a true gem (and a quick read) for those who stumble across it.