Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale

by Catherine Orenstein

In Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked, Catherine Orenstein reveals for the first time the intricate sexual politics, moral ambiguities, and philosophical underpinnings of Red Riding Hood's epic journey to her grandmother's house, and how, from the nursery on, fairy tales influence our view of the world.

Beginning with its first publication as a cautionary tale on the perils of seduction, written in reaction to the licentiousness of the court of Louis XIV, Orenstein traces the many lives the tale has lived since then, from its appearance in modern advertisements for cosmetics and automobiles, the inspiration it brought to poets such as Anne Sexton, and its starring role in pornographic films.

In Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked, Red appears as seductress, hapless victim, riot grrrrl, femme fatale, and even she-wolf, as Orenstein shows how through centuries of different guises, the story has served as a barometer of social and sexual mores pertaining to women. Full of fascinating history, generous wit, and intelligent analysis, Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked proves that the story of one young girl's trip through the woods continues to be one of our most compelling modern myths.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fairy Tales, Feminism, History, Folklore, Mythology, Research

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Anna (Bananas) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the intentionally sexualized cover, this is an intelligent and interesting exploration of a well-known character, one I hadn't given much thought to before. Red Riding Hood is different from a lot of fairy tale females in that she's a child and doesn't play a romantic role, at least not in the story most of us know.

Each chapter presents a historical version of the tale and then goes on to discuss the theme and often moral message inherent in the story. I was surprised at the various roles Red, the wolf, Grandma, and the hunter play, their meanings and motives often changing. The author also talks about Red's representations in pop culture.

The chapters are succinct and engaging, with many illustrations both current and old, making the pages fly by. I recommend this book if you're even casually interested in fairy tales. I came away with a new appreciation for the classic red-hooded little girl and a better understanding of her constant evolution.

[Olivera · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truth be told, I didn't manage to read this one all the way till the end. I maybe had some 50 pages left, but I just couldn't do it. The way the subject was handled was boring and it dragged on and some information was repeated constantly.

It dragged and dragged on and there was little sattisfaction behind it. I suppose, in the future, I'll just stick to the audiobook format when it comes to non fiction.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a slow start, I thoroughly enjoyed this analysis of the story of Little Red Riding Hood, from its genesis as a folk tale in many parts of the world through to analysis of the red riding hood theme in modern books, cartoons and films. It was great to see Angela Carter's wolf stories analysed, along with her "Company of Wolves" film collaboration with the director Neil Jordan. Shame the book was written too early to include an analysis of the film Hard Candy...

I loved the way the section on "wolf as progenitor" turned the tables on traditional male/female roles, as in some of the stories, granny and Red Riding Hood are pulled alive and whole from the wolf's belly.

It was interesting to see how Perrault and the Grimms twisted the original folk story to mean that Red Riding Hood had to be rescued by the huntsmen, rather than being able to free herself and her granny and also get her own back on the wolf. The morality of the story being about passivity of women folk.

[Cari · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fascination with fairy tales knows no bounds. Part cultural study, part literary analysis, Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked fed that fire and lived up to my expectations. A surprisingly quick read, Orenstein presents her material in a succinct manner and makes each individual section stand on its own merits, thereby avoiding an overabundance of repetition. Her examination of the story's early history and metamorphosis over time is thorough without being dry, riveting enough to hold even a casual reader's interest. Different aspects of the tale are presented and dissected without getting bogged down in asides, each point supported by appropriate context from the age without drifting into long winded lessons on unnecessary history. The expectation that the reader isn't a complete moron is refreshing.

My only complaints are nitpicks. I have an aversion to feminist grandstanding and so didn't give much of a damn about the section dedicated to that viewpoint. Orenstein did avoid presenting that chapter with a bias, giving equal weight to the extreme grrrl power hysteria and the more gentle woman-as-viewed-by-men point of view, which was much appreciated. The essay focusing on the parallels of fairy tales and pornography was far to short for any in depth coverage, which I found disappointing as there's enough material in the subject for an entire tome of its own. It felt as if she was shying away from any chance of being titillating and in the process gave up the chance to be truly scholarly.

The exploration of sex and morality in Little Red Riding Hood is meant to stimulate thoughts on the cultures that reformed the tale to reflect their value systems, and Orenstein succeeds magnificently on this point. There's nothing sexy or voyeuristic about her book, despite the title used to hook the reader. The words are true, but they don't mean what an uninterested observer might assume.

An excellent read, especially for those who like books on books (or tales, as the case may be). As an added benefit, one chapter breaks down the story into parts as laid out in Joseph Campbell's study of the hero's journey, presenting each stage in a way that would benefit any fiction writer. Time well spent reading with a gift at the end for those who might use it.

Definitely staying in my library.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I liked this book. The history of the fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood"--and fairy tales in general--is especially fascinating ("Little Red" was originally written in the 17th century by Perrault as a cautionary tale warning court ladies against sexual "wolves"). But I felt that Orenstein was padding it a bit when she included pieces on the history of wolves vs. man, wolves in literature, an extensive look at Anne Sexton's personal history, and how the classic tale is respun in the movie Freeway. Nevertheless, Orenstein is an engaging writer; those interested in a deeper look at fairy and folk tales will probably enjoy Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked.

[Emma Sea · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting meander around some of the motifs from various versions of the classic fairy tale. This encompasses werewolves, lesbian BDSM porn flicks, Reece Witherspoon, the Sun King, rape laws (and lack thereof), Odysseus, suicide, and 20th century lipstick advertising.

It was interesting enough, if not captivating. I enjoyed most meeting some new-to-me 20th century poets.

One important if tiny point, however: NO, Obi Wan DOES NOT bequeath Luke his light saber.

[Marijana☕✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4*

U suštini nisam saznala ništa novo ili revolucionarno kada je u pitanju istorija ove bajke i njeno prisustvo u pop kulturi, ali volim povremeno da pročitam ovakve tekstove. Autorka na kraju kaže da je ova knjiga nastala iz njenog naučnog rada koji je pisala na koledžu što se zaista i vidi, ali kako veoma saosećam sa tim, neću joj zameriti što se ponavljala i prepakivala misli kako bi imala što više stranica. Ono što jesam shvatila je nešto što me nervira skoro oduvek, a to je činjenica da je jako malo tumačenja i kvalitetnih retellinga koji nam govore da vuk nije negativac/seksi?! vukodlak/nešto od čega nam je neprijatno (u suštini znam samo za "The Lunar Chronicles", ako imate preporuku ili ste čuli za nešto, molim vas da podelite sa mnom). S tim u vezi izdvojila bih ovaj pasus autorke:

"Curiously enough, the macho playboy wolf of the human imagination has little place in the animal kingdom. The real Canis lupus, it turns out, is not a rakish womanizer at all. Indeed, some have called it a hopeless romantic. Wolves fall into a tiny fraction of the animal kingdom that is more or less monogamous, and legends of their fidelity abound."

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little slow to start, in that its early chapters felt basic and fundamental, but once it started digging into this fairy tale, it didn’t stop. There was so much information in here I’ve never heard of, especially regarding the belief in werewolves in Europe. The later chapters examined gender roles and sexuality, which are exactly the kind of in-depth analytical essays I want to read. This book exposed me to so many variations on a single basic fairy tale, and I am so excited to further explore them.

[Pamster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally engrossing cultural criticism, ranging from crazyass werewolf-mania in the countryside of 1500s France (so much cannibalism!) to Red Riding Hood porn. Each chapter starts with a version of the tale, from Grimm to Anne Sexton to Freeway, and Orenstein makes it clear how the drastically changing tale always mirrors the concerns of its age.

[Shayshkers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read several analysis books on fairy tales lately and this is one of my favorites. Well structured and broken down into concise chapters, Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked was not only an informative, but entertaining read.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"[Fairy tales] are a form of theater....where cultural and social values and desires play out."

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened to see this book in the stacks as I was searching for folk tales to share with my storytelling class.  I told myself that I was already reading way too much, and could I really handle another book in the middle of the term?  I came back the next day for it and I didn't regret it one bit.  

This book was so interesting that I couldn't stop reading it.  It begins with the origins of the tale and its implications and DANG.  I didn't know half of what Orenstein discussed--and she discusses a lot of interesting theories and analyses backed up by Bettelheim, who's one of the leading scholars in folklore studies.  And then she goes on to discussing different translations and how the tale has transformed through the years until how it has recently settled in our contemporary minds.  

She discusses different variations in which Little Red is violent in response to the wolf, or the times in which Little Red is the wolf--and what does this mean in the original context in which it was a cautionary tale against premarital sex?  UGH IT WAS JUST SO GOOD.  I'd definitely recommend using this for any sort of academic research, or even simply if you're like me and want to read it for fun...

Review cross-listed here!

[Cindy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting info included, especially the historical aspects of the tale.
one aspect that I found annoying was that it appeared as if the chapter intros were added after the text was written and some intros seemed misplaced or repetitive. ex. the chapter with the 3 page movie synopsis as the intro and then the same info almost verbatim is the first couple of pages of the chapter.

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. How's this?:

Way to ruin a fairytale.
Wish I never came across it.
This has to be one of the very WORSE books I have ever read.

Now, every time I see the little girl in the red cloak, this horrible patch of pages comes to mind. How many eons will it take to put it behind me. Alas. Read at your own risk.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orenstein's exploration of how Red has been exploited by the media is fascinating. For animation buffs, the chapter on Tex Avery is an added bonus.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this. I’ve been taken with the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood, particularly from the perspective of sexism and control. Little Red Riding Hood as the instructive (and judgment) on female sexual behavior, and female obedience to the male order, whether the ravishment of the wolf or the saviorism of the woodsman.

Orenstein’s college thesis turned book introduced me to a myriad of other interpretations—albeit primarily western ones. Even some earlier stories have Red (sometimes with the aid of Grandma!) occasionally saving herself. The feminist movement quite obviously turned the story on its head, endangered species advocates turned Red into the villain, and other interpretations dug deeper into the wolf’s crossdressing and “pregnancy.” And then there’s the modern commercial advertising vs the literal pornographic satires, which reduce the story to its elements—seduction, punishment (and usually a cape or red article of clothing.)

The earliest official version of Red, as penned by Charles Perrault during the decadent French court of Louis XIV, was a warning to the evolving upper-class ladies who held “salons” that might give access to dangerous men. The Grimm Brothers rewrote the story for children by turning Red into a younger and more chaste character. Instead of Red climbing into bed naked with the predator, the Grimm story introduces the idea of the wolf crossdressing in Grandma’s clothes. I like how their desire for German nationalism ran into French fairytales, as a reminder that borders and cultures are more porous than we think. Of course that’s not a major focus of this work. Nor are the older “wives tales” that Perrault took inspiration from, tales that were even more violent, focusing on werewolves, rape, and graphic dismemberment. Orenstein’s research pointed to real life medieval crimes (and punishment) in the countryside, which I can only hope were exaggerated.

Though this leads into a little bit of a criticism about this book—Orenstein went down so many fascinating rabbit holes, but I think they ultimately detracted from her focus. There are just too many details that are unrelated to the main story—a story in and of itself that is filled with lots of varying details, as Orenstein analyzes several versions. I think this might be a case of folklorist geekery getting away from her.

This also reminds me of how much academia is tied to a specific time period—ironic, perhaps, since Orenstein proves how Red and other fairytales evolve (and yet circle back to older interpretations) throughout time. Still—the book was copywritten in 2002, and 20 years later there are more direct, mainstream ways to talk about transgenderism, which both the wolf and sometimes Red, by making a wolfskin out of his pelt, take part in. I also appreciated Orenstein’s commentary on the movie “Freeway”—can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before! But what would she have made of the 2011 film staring Amanda Seyfried? I’m probably biased about that film—with the wolf and the woodsman and the father (and ultimately, the boyfriend, too) being the same character, it covers all areas of patriarchy and attempted control of women. But maybe Orenstein would take a more interesting message about Red having the heritage of the wolf inside her, too.

It’s not fair to demand that Orenstein focus on adaptations that hadn’t come out yet when she was writing, of course. My biggest nitpick of one tiny area she didn’t really comment on in a story she DID chronicle was in an oral tale from 1885, where cannibalism is introduced and the wolf tricks Red into eating and drinking her own grandmother. A random cat enters the story to decree that Red is a “slut” for doing so. Again, I guess I’m too taken with how this fairytale is about sexual judgment and control of women. Roald Dahl, of all people in this book, flips that script on its head most bluntly: “The small girl smiles. One eyelid flickers. / She whips a pistol from her knickers. / She aims it at the creature’s head. / And bang, bang, bang, she shoots him dead.” (Dead bodies aside, can Red still be a slut if she has a penis? Most society I know of says no. Then again, as the author details a bit, societal opinion, say, over the crime of rape, have changed over the centuries as well. Rabbit holes are fun!)

Still, kudos to Orenstein and this book for extrapolating much more out of the story than I was doing on my own. Plus, reminding me of a brief sliver of my Library School days when we were studying, in way too broad of terms, the history of folklore. There’s something subtle but integral to human society at work here.

[GNYX · Rating 4 out of 5]

My relationship with this book is a rather intimate one (almost as much as with the tale of Little Red Riding Hood itself).

I've been fascinated with this fairytale ever since I was a little girl. As I got older and started to understand more about folklore, history and sexuality, I only got more obsessed (I'm in the process of planning a LRRH tattoo). I felt as if it was telling me something about our nature, our history - a tale that teaches us to conform also implicitly acknowledges the communities that don't. Queer, mentally ill and otherwise marginalized people were so often overlooked that LRHH feels like a glimpse into a piece of lost history.

I wanted someone to unpick those threads with me and indulge me on this fascination, so when I came across Orenstein's book, it spoke to me and I knew I had to have it. I spent months coveting it before I could have it delivered from the States and when I finally read it, I painstakingly annotated it and took extensive notes - almost as if I was still in academia.

The structure is so interesting - Orenstein spends time going back and forth between different versions of the story as well as different time periods, so that by the end it feels as though she's layered all the pieces into a tangible image.

That said, I would've loved for her to spend more time with the historical and folkloric background (which I was so compelled by!) in place of the copious analysis of American pop culture, media and advertising. I also found that she misused certain terms at times, like calling 19th century Europe or Jane Austen "Victorian" and speaking of a "Victorian nuclear family". Her analysis on gender likewise also felt flat, although that's only to be expected from a 23yo book.

Whatever its faults, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even more so, the shared fascination with someone so much more well-read than me. Initially I was disappointed I couldn't get it in Europe or on audiobook, but now I'm only glad I get to keep this little compendium on my bookshelf forever.

[Ninjamalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read this as research for my bachelor thesis some odd 7-8 years ago, it was a real treat coming back and reading it for pure pleasure this time around. Orenstein is an engaging writer that makes an academic text a real fun read.

Going through a lot of the manifestations of Little Red Riding Hood through the ages (all of them would make for a very long book, I think), we see how the fairytale has adapted according to the times. Beginning as a cautionary tale for the French aristocratic ladies, it goes on to become everything from a children's story, a feminist manifesto, a drag inspiration to a full on pornographic source. Many fairy tales have fascinating histories, but I think Little Red Riding Hood is my favorite.

Except for the fact that she has a tendency to repeat herself, and sometimes maybe go off on not-so-relevant subjects, this book is everything that I want it to be.

If you're into the origins and histories of fairy tales generally, and Little Red Riding Hood specifically, this one's for you.

[Rachel Whelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting observations about the progression of our understanding of Little Red Riding Hood through different culture and media over time, but many chapters stray in far too many directions. Some chapters even reference materials yet to come, but in a way that makes the reader feel like they're missing something for not having been introduced to a concept yet. Some chapters were ideally self-contained (1, 2, 3, 9 and 10) and others had circuitous meanderings about different modern feminist interpretations, most of which required wayyyyy more explanation than the author was able to give in such short chapters. The epilogue, in an attempt to dissect the binary of man/woman, wolf/girl goes on on a tangent and results in a very "blah" final statement on the transformation of stories.
I'd have been much happier if the author had honed in on fewer examples of the LRRH story and dived in to greater depth about fewer adaptions.

[Commodore · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 85% of it is *really* great. The subject is well researched, but obviously also quite a labor of love for the author, so it’s enjoyable as well as informative. She gives a lot of historical context for various versions of the tale, and outlines how the story and themes have shifted in modern discourse. I can’t say I agree with all of her assertions—most notably for me where she tries to act like she knows more about pornography than Andrea Dworkin. She attempts to paint Dworkin as a hysteric and that an all-lesbian BDSM-themed Red Riding Hood porno is totes liberating for women, ignoring the question of who is producing and consuming said porno (predominantly men, by a wide margin). But she mentions Francesca Lia Block and RuPaul, so of course I was gonna love it.

I’d love to see this as a series for other popular fairy tales.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In case you couldn't tell, fairy tales are kinda my jam. I love dissecting them no matter the criticism. Guess that's why I gravitate towards retellings, since they place new emphasis on an old tale. Being versed in the origins of the tale, the early chapters veered into symbolism and historical parallels I'd seen as an English major a thousand times over. Honestly, the later chapters and what pop culture has cultivated the tale into captivated my interest tenfold. The author even analyzed two often forgotten films: The Company of Wolves and Freeway, the latter of which got its own chapter! I love seeing new life breathed into old tales and this is a great reference if you're in scholarly pursuit, as well as a guide to film, music, and story variations just for fun.

[Helbob · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating study of fairy tales and particularly the enduring story of Little Red Riding Hood. I was intrigued by the evolution of this most iconic of folklores and delighted to see how it turns and twists back to its origins. Some of its hidden currents are both enlightening and horrifying. I guess if we look deep enough we all know that fairy tales have darker roots than we realise and that different societies and cultures will alter and adapt them to suit the current climate. Where are they going at the moment I wonder?

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author found a nice compromise between scholarly and readable. She's obviously done a lot of research, but the book is accessible to "laymen". The best part was the first few chapters where she traced the evolution of the tale in connection with cultural changes. Towards the end of the book, when she ventured into feminism and pornography, I thought the book lost focus. Overall it was an interesting topic presented in an engaging way.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating study of the Little Red Riding Hood story and how it's been modified and interpreted throughout history. Orenstein pays special attention to how various interpretations reflect ideas about gender in whatever their current culture is. Red can be an innocent in need of warning / protection or she can be a confident predator herself. The wolf has been portrayed as both hyper-male as well as an example of more nuanced masculinity in his nightdress and metaphorical pregnancy (with Red and Granny alive inside him, waiting to be "born" by the woodsman's Caesarean operation).

[Irina Reinhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this my junior year of college and it completely changed my perspective on fairytales. I would recommend this for an academic setting or if you’re a YA fiction writer who wants to riff off the origins of many of our beloved childhood characters. It sparked many debates and was interesting, but again, not outside of an academic setting

[Kelly Maust · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was delightful to read and is the type of subject I could talk about endlessly. Orenstein examines the various versions of Little Red Riding Hood over the years and explores what the various versions show us about history, culture, gender politics, sexuality, and more. I was surprised that she didn't include Red's portrayal in Into the Woods (though she does bring up the play in other contexts) but I was also kind of relieved because I find that particular version incredibly disturbing tbh.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Red Riding Hood has made a recent resurgence in children's picture books over the past couple of years, so it's interesting to compare Orenstein's critical, 20 year old feminist book with these new titles. With praise from RuPaul and Jack Zipes, it's an intriguing work!

[Anton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much feminazism. The author talks too much gibberish in a way that only an obscenely feminine radical complex-infused woman can. I love how the conclusion is "wtf genders dont even exist!!" Brilliant tunnel vision analysis...please never write again

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

i learnt a lot but I think it got a little tangential towards the end

[Connor Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best critical theory I've ever read. Brilliant, illuminating, probing, challenging. Spoiler: Little Red Riding Hood is a very, very complicated story.