From wicked queens and enchanted mirrors to glass slippers, poisoned apples and magical creatures, fairy tales have long fascinated both children and adults. In this compelling introduction, Marina Warner examines how these timeless stories have traveled across cultures, evolving with each retelling while preserving their ability to captivate imagination and convey deep cultural meaning.

Blending literary analysis, cultural history and critical theory, this book addresses essential questions:

What defines a fairy tale? Where do these stories originate? And what do they reveal about morality, sexuality, society, and human psychology?

Drawing on a rich collection of examples from classics like Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty to the works of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen and even modern interpretations such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Warner presents fairy tales as a dynamic literary form deeply rooted in folklore, myth, and cultural identity.

Language: English

Release date: 2018

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 15 x 11 cm

Author: Marina Warner

Editor: Oxford University Press

ISBN: 978-0199532155

€11,50