There are many different variations of All Fur and even slightly different versions interpreted from this version of the tale. Some retellings water it down a bit. For instance, the Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics animated series had the beginning tell that the princess had to flee her kingdom because it was under attack. Don’t get me wrong, I just LOVE that series and have all the episodes in my collection.
We chose the version from The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm which takes the tale from the version published in 1812. One of the things we are trying to do with Erstwhile is tell the stories as purely as possible. Of course, we are going to interpret them and put our own touch on them, but we’re not changing the facts of the stories. We’re telling the grim reality of Grimm’s fairy tales.
Urk, plan failed :c Too good to be true
Yup…Sapsorrow!!!! <3
I would have loved to have seen a page of the king actually pulling this off somehow.
You know that’s a good point. They never go into any detail at all about how the king manages to pull off her insane requests.
man this story makes me squee! >w< It's the only one so far that I've read. What's more, I always wanted to make my own comic version of it. I'm just terrible at comics, my story-telling style is too dense. I pack too many needless details in and then never bother to get past the initial layout phase of drawing. ;_;
So.. very… awkward… >_<
I remember this story when I was kid. The queen died and the girl was left in the care of the old nurse. The princess was sold off into marrying an ogre for 50 carts of silver and 50 carts of gold. So in order to thwart her fathers plans she requested all of the above items and he fulfilled them. That’s how I remember it at least, I’m sure there’s hundreds of adaptations though.
Most of the earlier version of the story have the king marrying his own daughter. Later ones, more sensitive to our “ick” factor, changed it into her being married off to someone (or something) awful, like an ogre.
ah, it is akin to the storyteller tale, sapsorrow, which i’d never have discovered if not for reading erstwhile. http://youtu.be/aPnK2wC8JpA
This must be the story Sapsorrow was based on.
I have read (and now own) A book written some time ago that picks up where this story ends. It’s called Deerskin and was written by Robin McKinley. I recommend it highly.
I love Robin McKinley’s versions of classic fairytales! She also did two on Beauty and the Beast that were amazing!
I love her too. Sunshine is my favorite book of hers
oohh! yes! I’ve been trying to think of the name of that book since starting on this one!
She should have ask for the cloak be pretty as well. If I remember right, the cloak always looked horrible.
Oh! So quick! This have always been one of my favourite fairy tales and she asked each thing after another when the one was done after much work, I hoped for something like that… Only as a curiosity, (not criticism because I know there are lot of versions), The one I know she had her fairy godmother, and it was the fairy who told her to ask all this things.
That was probably Charles Perrault’s version “Donkeyskin”. I read that version recently. The whole “fairy godmother” thing was one of Perrault’s literary inventions.
This is the one I remember! I must have read an edited version.
God I love this comic.
I really like that we can’t see the dresses and cloak right now. They are quite beautiful, the only one we get any detail on though is the sun. I think it makes actually seeing the dresses in full later all the more anticipated and fulfilling. I can’t wait!
I think PETA would’ve liked to have words with both father and daughter had they been around in those days. ;-)
Poor girl looks like she’s going to puke in the second panel.
Oh, now I remember this story!!! I read it when I was a kid, but I don’t remember the father falling in love with the daughter… Well, seeing as it was a kid’s book, they might have taken that part out.
Can’t wait to read the rest, it’s so nostalgic!! :D
There is a musical based on this: Peau d’âne (Donkey’s Skin) by Jacques Demy.
The version of this in The Storyteller, the series with John Hurt, had an epic version of this tale. I reccomend it to anyone who wants to watch epic retellings of ancient Germanic tales. With John Hurt. And if you don’t know who John Hurt is, then… “I command thee to watch this series!”. Oh, and by the way, the dude that made the muppets made the monsters.
LOL last panel -
Princess: “Oh crap…”
Father King: >Gleefully dancing<
reminds me of something…
JUDGE: How right I was to insist on such a precaution, for once again he has come, that conscienceless young sailor. Ten times has he been driven from my door and yet.. . (Breaks off, gazing at her, smitten with lust) How sweet you look in that light muslin gown.
JOHANNA: ‘Tis nothing but an old dress, father.
JUDGE: But fairer on your young form than wings on an angel… oh, if I were to think …
JOHANNA (moving to the door): Think what, dear father?
JUDGE: If I were to think you encouraged this young rogue …
JOHANNA (During this speech, she slips the key from the lock, hides it in her dress): I? A maid trained from the cradle to find in modesty and obedience the greatest of all virtues? Dear father, when have you ceased to warn me of the wickedness of men?
JUDGE: Venal young men of the street with only one thought in their heads. But there are men of different and far higher breed. I have one in mind for you.
JOHANNA: You have?
JUDGE: A gentle man, who would shield you from all earthly cares and guide your faltering steps to the sober warmth of womanhood — a husband — a protector — and yet an ardent lover too. It is a man who through all the years has surely earned your affection. (Drops to his knees)
JOHANNA (Staggered): You?!!!
@Sera Is that the book or play version of Sweeney Todd? Also… “These are probably the worst pies in London…” :)
Otherwise, I bet PETA is not too fond of this part of the story. Not just one animal, but A THOUSAND went into that cloak.
Oh…In the version I read as a kid it was the skin of a donkey…Well different versions always making re-readings more fun!
Two thoughts come to mind, both of which amuse me:
#1. Humans are a type of animal.
#2. So are arthropods.
That rug is going to have a lot of chitin and human skin in it. =D