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Synopsis
"Highly significant and thought-provoking....This work will open up a new perspective on the development of the fairy tales in the western world." -- Jack Zipes, University of Minnesota
Graham Anderson examines texts from the classical period which resemble "our" Cinderellas, Snow Whites, Red Riding Hoods, Bluebeards and others, and argues that many familiar fairy tales were already well-known in antiquity in some form. Examples include a Jewish-Egyptian Cinderella, complete with ashes, whose prince is the biblical Joseph; a Snow White whose enemy is the goddess Artemis; and Pied Piper at Troy, with King Priam in the role of the little boy who got away. He breaks new ground by putting forward many previously unsuspected candidates as classical variants of the modern fairytale, and argues that the degree of cruelty and violence exhibited in many ancient examples mean such stories must have often been meant for adults.
Booknews
Anderson (classics, U. of Kent-Canterbury) examines texts from the classical period that resemble Cinderella, Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Bluebeard, and other characters in folk tales of modern times. Among other insights, he thinks the degree of cruelty and violence expressed indicates that the stories were for adults. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)