Fairy Tale (2022 Novel) | A Mostly Spoiler Free-ish Review | A Great UndertaKING

Fairy Tale is the latest novel from Stephen King, and there is a lot going on within its 600 pages. This story doesn't just take influence from previous works of fiction, but it shouts them out loud for all to hear. Is Fairy Tale a Dark Tower related novel?! Is it yet another King "epic fantasy" novel?! Is it a blatant, unapologetic tribute to its predecessors?! Yes, no, and maybe....

[@greenmonkey2995]

Man this could have been connected to the talisman. I wanted Charlie to end up meeting Jack, maybe now with a kid? I got so excited when I saw the chapter titled "Now you know Jack" would have been the perfect connection.

[@agreatundertaking]

I was 95% sure that’s where things were headed!!!! Gahhh!

[@patcoston]

The new book named Stephen King: A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life and Influences, does mention Fairy Tale. It also mentions Holly which is due out 2023.

[@agreatundertaking]

Nice! Glad it’s as current as can be!

[@seversever6757]

Dawg your videos are fucking sick dude, I'm glad you are making them

[@agreatundertaking]

Thank you, Sever! I really appreciate it homie!

[@Paul_McSeol]

Good morning Mr Doyle, I haven’t watched the whole video yet (only on page 180 or so) and am terrified of spoilers. Didn’t even read the dust jacket. Excited to watch this weekend after I bang through it. So far I love the book and hope you did too. I know fantasy isn’t your normal cup of joe. Hope you have an awesome week and excited to see your next vid. (Also, yes, Ghost Story by Straub was a fantastic read. He’ll be missed.)

[@agreatundertaking]

Hey Paul! I completely respect that and I look forward to hearing your thoughts when you finish the book! Take care and have a good one!

[@davedaugherty86]

One thing I have yet to see talked about regarding Fairy Tale is the heavy influence of the other two authors in the epigraph of the book, Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard. I've read a ton of Burroughs and some of the complaints I've seen floating around about things in the book make me smile because I'm so familiar with them from that sort of early 20th century pulp fiction. Things such as Charlie being predisposed to overcome many obstacles due to his previous life as an athlete, and the lengthy middle third that takes place in Deep Maleen, are very reminiscent of stuff like Burroughs Pellucidar series, in which the protagonist goes to the center of the earth and finds a world with it's own sun populated by strange races and cultures, gets put into a dungeon city for a long time, acquires allies for himself while there, and overcomes the monstrous slavedriving rulers of the land through his ingenuity and strength that he naturally has from his former "surface life", and at one point must face a giant of a man in single combat. In fact, the "suburbs" of Empis are obviously callbacks to Lovecraft, while the city itself and the baddies withing reminds one of Robert E. Howard's Conan stories, while Charlie's arc is very Burroughs, right down the the faithful canine companion. These influences are very large within the story, which King using them as a background into which he inserts detailed explorations of Fairy Tale tropes. Other influences, which I think King mentions briefly in the novel, include Clark Ashton Smith. Loved the book.

[@agreatundertaking]

Hey Dave! Great insights! Honestly, I’m not familiar with Burroughs or Howard, so those parallels were lost on me. I appreciate that you took the time to educate me! I suppose I should’ve taken the time to look into those authors considering they were named in the epigraph… 🤦🏻‍♂️ Have a good one, and thanks again!

[@jamiestout4633]

Mr. D, I was late to the party this time, but I made it lol. I think you did really well with this. It was enough to intrigue without giving anything away so great work. This is a book I'm going to have to check out. it sounds like something I would be into being a nerd and all lol. I'll catch the next one. At this point I'm considered a constant watcher lol. Yall have a good one.

[@agreatundertaking]

Hey Jamie! It’s a good story and definitely wasn’t what I was expecting… at least not entirely. I hope you like it! Thanks for checking in and sticking around!

[@ericcartman7361]

I find it funny how right after Fairy Tale came out, it just got handed to Paul Greengrass for an adaptation. List of King movies I hope start production this year or next year. The Long Walk Rat Life of Chuck From a Buick 8 The Breathing Method Christine

[@patcoston]

I loved the second season of Castle Rock. I don't recall all of the pre-history of Annie in the novel Misery, but I think Castle Rock happens before that. It's a younger Annie and she crosses paths with the vampires in 'Salem's Lot ... and kicks ass!

[@agreatundertaking]

Now I thought Castle Rock was pre-Misery as well, but there is a timeline inconsistency just based on the vehicles and technology in the show. I’m realizing now though that Castle Rock is less about dedication to the source material, and more about finding ways to mash King stories, locations and characters together. Not saying I haven’t been enjoying it thus far though….

[@foxlancaster4044]

I was SO afraid it was going to be so woke I'd need a lobotomy to appreciate it, but I found the story fairly compelling and reminiscent of The Talisman, which is what I had hoped. The instances of wokeness were so hamfisted it was more laughable than infuriating.

[@agreatundertaking]

Steve has had a bit of a tendency to let his political leanings bleed into his writing lately. Not that it wasn’t there from the start, but it has definitely become more blatant recently. Elevation and Gwendy’s Final Task come to mind.

[@foxlancaster4044]

@@agreatundertaking I read the cover of Elevation and noped right out. Thanks for confirming 😆

[@agreatundertaking]

Lol glad to have saved you the trouble 😂

[@mtwice4586]

Great video. I have mixed feelings for this one, but overall it was very enjoyable. I just finished Tommyknockers and I can't stop wondering what your costume will be if you ever do a video on it, lol. I just started Skeleton Crew, so I am looking forward to ranking them along the way and seeing how it compares to your list. Take care sir.

[@agreatundertaking]

I also had mixed feelings, but for the most part it was a good story. I also just finished Tommyknockers! Honestly, it’s an underrated King book. I loved it the first time I read it and I loved it even more this time around. I have an idea for my costume and I think you’ll enjoy it lol Let me know how our lists match up! Have a good one, M!

[@angelaholmes8888]

I did enjoy fairytale it was slow at times but still a good read I really loved the dog radar 🐶🐕❤❤❤❤

[@agreatundertaking]

I agree it wasn’t the most high intensity King story, but I enjoyed it for the most part too!

[@patcoston]

I've got the audio book for Fairy Tale ready to go as soon as I finish my current audio book. On April 9, I pre-ordered The Stephen King Ultimate Companion: A Complete Exploration of His Work, Life, and Influences which will arrive Sep 13. I wonder if it will include Fairly Tale, or if it's already out of date.

[@agreatundertaking]

Hmmm I know they announced Fairy Tale many months ago, so maybe it’s in there!

[@KardboardKenny]

those other may have been first, buuuut they're nowhere near the best. this is the only place where i get all of my King reviews. edit- thanks YT. i have the bell clicked and ran across this new one by accident.

[@agreatundertaking]

Thanks, Kenny. I appreciate ya man! Can’t say I’m surprised. I’ve had the same thing happen with people I’m subbed to as well. Just never got a notification.

[@dustinvanderpool592]

But none of those KZbin reviewers wear costumes So they're invalid

[@agreatundertaking]

Facts are facts lol