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"This is Zipes's magnum opus, the culmination of more than thirty years of research, and his broadest consideration yet of the fairy tale. He tackles very difficult fundamental questions, and provides credible theoretical foundations and historical evidence for the answers he proposes. Ultimately, he redirects the conversation about the origins, nature, and appeal of the fairy tale."
--Donald Haase, editor of Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies"Liberating, stringent, and new, this book demonstrates Zipes's unique and important affection for fairy tales while opening new lines of thinking about them.
The Irresistible Fairy Tale--like fairy tales themselves--will appeal to both scholars and general readers. Its enlightening tone is irresistibly good."
--Kate Bernheimer, author of Horse, Flower, Bird: Stories and editor of Fairy Tale Review"This is an important examination of the elusive quality of the fairy tale. Everywhere in evidence is Zipes's mastery of the subject, his capacity to engage with its folkloric, literary, social, and cultural aspects, and his ability to communicate with general readers as well as specialists."
--Graham Anderson, University of Kent
List of contents
About the author
Jack Zipes is professor emeritus of German and comparative literature at the University of Minnesota and the author, translator, and editor of dozens of studies and collections of folk and fairy tales. His recent books include
Why Fairy Tales Stick: The Evolution and Relevance of a Genre,
Relentless Progress: The Reconfiguration of Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Storytelling, and
The Enchanted Screen: The Unknown History of Fairy-Tale Films.
Summary
If there is one genre that has captured the imagination of people in all walks of life throughout the world, it is the fairy tale. This book presents a provocative theory about why fairy tales were created and retold - and why they became such an indelible and infinitely adaptable part of cultures around the world.
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"Zipes gives a masterful and hopeful description of the genre and its inclinations."---Jill Terry Rudy, Marvels & Tales
