Gingerbread Is a Twisty Take on Old Tales

It would be impossible to discuss Gingerbread, the sixth novel from Helen Oyeyemi--named one of Granta's Best Young British Novelists in 2013--without the mention of fairy tales. Just a few of the new book's familiar elements include enchanted confectionery, talking dolls, rumors of a faraway land inaccessible by conventional means and a character with the redolent name of Gretel.

It would be impossible to discuss Gingerbread, the sixth novel from Helen Oyeyemi--named one of Granta's Best Young British Novelists in 2013--without the mention of fairy tales. Just a few of the new book's familiar elements include enchanted confectionery, talking dolls, rumors of a faraway land inaccessible by conventional means and a character with the redolent name of Gretel.