The Woodcutter is Forrest Gump for fairy tales.

All the familiar tales you know from Grimm are reworked into a frame featuring a woodcutter whose axe has never tasted innocent sap from an unwilling tree. At times the reworked stories don't fit quite tightly in their new frame, although the overall story it has a pleasantly dark feel -- explicitly recognizing characters snapping into archetypal story roles, just enough of an element of danger and wildness to keep the reader guessing. Reminiscent of the atmosphere of the Child of Light video game. Enjoyable read, though not a story that will live with me.