43 pages • 1 hour read
Adam GidwitzIn A Glass Grimmly
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Series Context: A Tale Dark and Grimm
In a Glass Grimmly is the second in The Grimm trilogy, preceded by A Tale Dark and Grimm and followed by The Grimm Conclusion (2010 and 2013)). Like the other books in the series, In a Glass Grimmly departs from the original tales to add character development and Gidwitz’s messages about acceptance and the power of understanding oneself. In A Tale Dark and Grimm, Gidwitz follows a similar format, taking the well-known characters Hansel and Gretel through a twisted version of their own tale and other lesser-known fairy tales, such as “Faithful Johannes” and “The Seven Ravens.” Similarly, The Grimm Conclusion includes two children, Jorinda and Joringel (from the Grimm tale “Jorinde and Joringel”) and explores such stories as “Cinderella,” “The Juniper Bush,” and “Rumpelstiltskin” from new angles. As the last in the series, The Grimm Conclusion combines the elements begun in the first two books, including the three ravens who periodically appear to offer guidance to the reader and characters.
Throughout the series, Gidwitz uses situational humor and the comedic voice of his narrator to make the dark subject matter of the original fairy tales accessible to a young audience. In doing so, he imparts the lessons and morals of these tales without the frightening contexts of traditional fairy tales. Staying true to the violence in the original tales allows Gidwitz to show the unpleasantness that often accompanies growing up. Gidwitz also uses the series to comment on the evolution of fairy tales from dark stories of moral dilemmas to the lighter, sanitized versions made famous by such entertainment companies as Walt Disney Studios. Gidwitz’s narrator acknowledges the oral tradition (how most fairy tales were originally transmitted) by suggesting that there is a person somewhere narrating the adventures as they happened.
Genre Context: Fairy Tales and Lessons
In a Glass Grimmly is a mashup of well-known and lesser-known fairy tales as well as generic fairy-tale elements, such as the magical Goblin Market. These locations and stories offer a backdrop against which Jack and Jill have their adventures. Each story presents a unique challenge for one or both of the cousins, and they must rely on one another and their innate talents, cleverness, and strengths to navigate the challenges Gidwitz’s narrative structure puts in their path. As they overcome the obstacles and learn from their mistakes and successes, Jack and Jill demonstrate what’s possible when people put their minds to problem-solving. In addition, the cousins grapple with their innermost fears—self-esteem and acceptance. With each successful challenge, they gain more confidence in themselves until they are no longer the same people who began the quest. Gidwitz’s stories suggest that self-discovery often requires venturing into the world; the journey outward can lead people to find what they’re searching for within themselves.
In addition to Jack and Jill's internal challenges, the cousins also confront traditional fairy-tale evils, such as magic-wielding villains and creatures (goblins, in this case) who would use the children for their own nefarious purposes. Gidwitz also subverts traditional fairy-tale storytelling because the giant monster, Eddie (the giant salamander), turns out to be kind rather than wicked. In doing so, Gidwitz offers a nuanced portrayal of what makes someone good or evil. In particular, juxtaposing the good but frightening monster with Jill’s wicked but beautiful mother alludes to the original tales, where physical beauty is often a cover for a dark heart. Thus, Gidwitz’s subversions reference traditional fairy-tale tropes, making In a Glass Grimmly both a modern retelling and a traditional fairy-tale story.
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