We are the shiver on your uneasy flesh, the creep of the unknown on your skin. Tread carefully, for the dark things best left behind in the forest may seep under your door and sup with you. The lover at your window or in your bed may have the scent of your death already on their breath.Whispered to you from the edges, from the haunted mouths of those who see more than you or I, are twelve tales … than you or I, are twelve tales of lust and rivalry, of envy and deceit, and of secrets gouged from the darkest depths of the human heart.
Darkly delicious imaginings for the adult connoisseur of bedtime stories.
‘Funny, brutal, and irreverent’ – Bustle.com
Short stories inspired by the customs and ancient tales of Russia and Eastern Europe.
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Oh my gosh, ‘Cautionary Tales” by Emmanuelle de Maupassant is not only a delight to read but brought me back to my childhood when Aesop’s Fables was one of my favorite books. Tales concerning murder, faithlessness, indolence, deceit, envy, miserliness, and so much more are in this book. Each tale is the story of some misdeed with the consequences being doled out by whatever being is in charge of the act. I absolutely loved it!
Twelve tales inspired by Eastern European and Russian superstitions and folklore; darkly delicious imaginings.
These tales are short but not sweet, they are indeed cautionary. They were also entertaining, dark, sometimes funny but all were very well written & I loved that I could dip into them when I had a bit of spare time. Chapeau to the author for crafting such strong characters in short stories. Definitely a collection that’s a keeper
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
3.5 stars
This group of stories have a moral message, they illustrate what happens when a person does something which is unacceptable behaviour. Some of it is quite grim and although it is well written, it wasn’t really to my taste. It is a book you can dip into between other books, as all stories are different, albeit on a similar theme. I received via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Strangely chilling
This is a collection of odd paranormal tales in an Eastern European folklore tradition. The best way I can describe them, and the book as a whole, is: other-worldly. Each story of demonic predation, poetic justice, and punishment for wrongdoing is prefaced and punctuated by a Greek chorus of disembodied voices – the unresting dead? the spirits of other victims? a jury of lesser demons? The vague and obscured source of this mournful, baleful recurrent chant is chilling. It is both portent of coming evil, and a warning to the reader who may be similarly tempted. This is the kind of anthology where you bookmark certain tales, which will later be read by flashlight or campfire light to an audience made receptive by night and shadows and the sighing wind. It is a dark and disturbing treasure, indeed. Read it – but be warned. (This is a voluntary ARC review.)
I have never read Russian folklore, have you?
This was definitely, an interesting read. Hopefully these are tales to keep you on the best straight and narrow!
Scary stuff happens to baddddd people here!
Nice departure from my typical read.
Cautionary Tales by Emmanuelle de Maupassant is something of a treat, as I am fond of Russian folklore and great writing. The various scenarios was done well as getting up to mischief has dire consequences.
I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cautionary Tales by Emmanuelle de Maupassant is a collection of vignette-length stories all revolving around sex, some around love. Short and sweet, they exhort people to be faithful, kind, and responsible. Some are pretty raw; all are entertaining. The message is clear. This book is not for children, but is clear in its message.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Cautionary Tales by Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are mine.
Emmanuelle has done it again. I love her books and this collection of dark, sensual and at times really funny ‘fairy stories/fables/cautionary tales’ does not disappoint. Not a book for those easily offended or of a nervous disposition but for those who like this genre jump in and enjoy. Emmanuelle really wrings the last ounce of sensual darkness from these tales.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the storytelling. It’s quite different because it’s from a second person’s point of view. The personal is part of a different realm, not dead and most certainly not alive, but just somewhere in between.
This contains various stories of lust and karma. Some of the scenes were graphic and some were not. I liked that there’s a balance maintained and not all demons are after the pure ones. Sometimes, they’re also after the evil ones.
Most of the morals of the stories lean toward the golden rule and being careful of what you wish for, as well as a crime never goes unpunished.
Ill-behaved humans, lusty vengeful demons, and silent watchers. Presented in the eerie atmosphere of those who watch from the shadows, this collection of Slavic legends and fairytales takes on the consequences for the seven deadly sins and more. It is quite clear that being naughty is not a good idea. Scary good read!
I received an ARC of this book via BookSprout. My review is voluntary.
Be careful when entering this set of reads as the come with a warning. See how far you get along in this book and you have been warned
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a very intriguing book of tales. I enjoyed reading them.
I received an ARC and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I loved them all. A touch scary, a bit frightening, these tales are a refreshing bundle of tales accommodated with a Slavonic sauce. I have studied Russian many years ago and I loved the glossary of Russian/Slavonic words for each tale.
They are an amazing satire of mankind in all possible situations from murder and greed to simple and no so simple foibles and weaknesses.
And those delightful little rimes interspersed here and there in the tales.
Not something to read to your children, but do you feel the little “frisson” or “apprehension” – what will the next tale bring?
No? Time to grab them then…
Spine-tingling and bone-chilling stories of mishap and misfortune brought about by a myriad of bad choices. We are only as good as the choices we make or so we are told. This collection of compelling fables will leave you with careful pause, abundant wisdom, and a new found awareness.
What a wild walk into the stories of old filled with all manner of cruelty, neglect, and selfishness. I hope some glean some fear or at the very least wisdom from the grim demise of unfortunate individuals.
If creepy stories are your thing, you are sure to enjoy each of these skin crawling adventures. Don’t wait to dive in and savor each grim fated fairy tale.