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The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales
From its ancient roots in the oral tradition to the postmodernist reworkings of the present day, the fairy tale has retained its powerful hold over the cultural imagination of Europe and North America. Now The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales provides the first authoritative reference source for this complex, captivating genre.
With more than 800 entries written by a team of 67 specialists from around the world, the Companion offers an illuminating look at the classic tales themselves, both ancient and modern, from Jack and Jill and Cinderella to Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz. The contributors also profile the writers who wrote or reworked these luminous tales, as well as the illustrators, film-makers, choreographers, and composers who have been involved with creating or interpreting them. The Companion also covers such related topics as film, art, opera, ballet, music, even advertising. An introductory overview by Jack Zipes sets the subject in its historical and literary context, and special survey articles explore the development of the fairy-tale tradition in individual countries, focusing particularly on the European and North American traditions. The volume includes a detailed bibliography, to aid in further research into this fascinating topic.
Strikingly illustrated with 70 beautiful pictures, from early engravings to 20th-century film stills, this is an essential companion for everyone who loves fairy tales and storytelling.
With more than 800 entries written by a team of 67 specialists from around the world, the Companion offers an illuminating look at the classic tales themselves, both ancient and modern, from Jack and Jill and Cinderella to Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz. The contributors also profile the writers who wrote or reworked these luminous tales, as well as the illustrators, film-makers, choreographers, and composers who have been involved with creating or interpreting them. The Companion also covers such related topics as film, art, opera, ballet, music, even advertising. An introductory overview by Jack Zipes sets the subject in its historical and literary context, and special survey articles explore the development of the fairy-tale tradition in individual countries, focusing particularly on the European and North American traditions. The volume includes a detailed bibliography, to aid in further research into this fascinating topic.
Strikingly illustrated with 70 beautiful pictures, from early engravings to 20th-century film stills, this is an essential companion for everyone who loves fairy tales and storytelling.
640 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2000
27 people are currently reading
1568 people want to read
About the author
Jack D. Zipes
152 books245 followersJack David Zipes is a retired Professor of German at the University of Minnesota. He has published and lectured extensively on the subject of fairy tales, their linguistic roots, and argued that they have a "socialization function". According to Zipes, fairy tales "serve a meaningful social function, not just for compensation but for revelation: the worlds projected by the best of our fairy tales reveal the gaps between truth and falsehood in our immediate society." His arguments are avowedly based on the neo-Marxist critical theory of the Frankfurt School.
Zipes enjoys using droll titles for his works like Don't Bet on the Prince and The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Ridinghood.
He completed a PhD in comparative literature at Columbia University. Zipes taught at various institutions before heading German language studies at the University of Minnesota. He has retranslation of the complete fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
Zipes enjoys using droll titles for his works like Don't Bet on the Prince and The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Ridinghood.
He completed a PhD in comparative literature at Columbia University. Zipes taught at various institutions before heading German language studies at the University of Minnesota. He has retranslation of the complete fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 16, 2020
With seriously academic analyses and contributions by some of the most respected and well-known experts in the field of folkloristic study and research, The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales truly does present an extensive and intensive reference encyclopedia guide on global folk and fairy tales, showing potential readers an amazing knowledge treasure chest, a vast fountain of details and information (set up alphabetically, from A to Z, from the famous Aarne-Thompson Classification Index to Austrian fairy tale illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger). An informative introduction by chief editor Jack Zipes, as well as an incredibly detailed and extensive bibliography contribute to indeed and in my opinion make The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales the absolute perfect starting point for research on fairy tales and folklore, a highly recommended tome for both personal and professional scholarly study requirements.
And really, the only complaints I actually have had with regard to The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales, with regard to this generally most excellent and enlightening tome, are both relatively minor and (probably) also very much personal peeves. Because yes, for my own reading ease, I do have to say that the script of The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales features a rather minuscule and small font size, making reading more than a bit difficult at times (well, at least I have found this to be the case). And furthermore, I also do wish that the names of the numerous contributors had been shown in full at the end of each of the articles (the alphabetical sections) and not been simply given as acronyms. For while I do know and even realise that for most of the Oxford companion books, this latter practice seems to be the standard way contributors are generally acknowledged, because I have always had rather major issues remembering and figuring out acronyms, I keep having to flip back to the contributor pages to figure out exactly who wrote which section (which has most definitely somewhat distracted me and also therefore lessened my reading pleasure a tiny bit).
And really, the only complaints I actually have had with regard to The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales, with regard to this generally most excellent and enlightening tome, are both relatively minor and (probably) also very much personal peeves. Because yes, for my own reading ease, I do have to say that the script of The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales features a rather minuscule and small font size, making reading more than a bit difficult at times (well, at least I have found this to be the case). And furthermore, I also do wish that the names of the numerous contributors had been shown in full at the end of each of the articles (the alphabetical sections) and not been simply given as acronyms. For while I do know and even realise that for most of the Oxford companion books, this latter practice seems to be the standard way contributors are generally acknowledged, because I have always had rather major issues remembering and figuring out acronyms, I keep having to flip back to the contributor pages to figure out exactly who wrote which section (which has most definitely somewhat distracted me and also therefore lessened my reading pleasure a tiny bit).
December 30, 2024
A great resource for fairy tales, authors, illustrators, adaptations, retellings, and more. The entries are informative and engaging to read. Many illustrations are included and printed beautifully. Lengthier sections on fairy tales in global cultures provide deep dives into various traditions and time periods. A great resource for aficianados and researchers.
March 20, 2011
The cover of this Companion's paperback edition helpfully reminds us that this is about "the Western fairy tale tradition, from medieval to modern", so, apart from the interfaces where East meets West (as in the Arabian Nights) or the Ancient World meets the 20th century (as in the discussion of mythology and myth), there is very little on anything which is non-Eurocentric and by extension North American of the recent past.
That said, the 600-plus pages of the paperback edition are packed with every aspect of the fairytale you could wish for, from the anonymous to the commercial and from the traditional to the literary and the artistic. The range of contributors (largely North American, with a smattering of European experts) means there is no single authorial voice, but Zipes' editorial authority is stamped all over the Companion, from his fascinating introductory overview to choice of entries. This book contains nearly all you wanted to know about the genre and quite a lot besides of what you never knew you wanted to know. Hours of random dipping or cross-referencing are guaranteed, for aficionado and the curious alike.
That said, the 600-plus pages of the paperback edition are packed with every aspect of the fairytale you could wish for, from the anonymous to the commercial and from the traditional to the literary and the artistic. The range of contributors (largely North American, with a smattering of European experts) means there is no single authorial voice, but Zipes' editorial authority is stamped all over the Companion, from his fascinating introductory overview to choice of entries. This book contains nearly all you wanted to know about the genre and quite a lot besides of what you never knew you wanted to know. Hours of random dipping or cross-referencing are guaranteed, for aficionado and the curious alike.
November 9, 2012
This book was very helpful in developing a talk on the subject. It's got a good range of entries and enough information to get you started for the fairy tale traditions of various countries, authors or collectors, illustrators, and connections between fairy tales and modern fiction, music, television, film, and other media.
A minor gripe: the relationship of fantasy fiction and fairy tale seems to drift across entries, with some making clear distinctions and others calling all kind of straight fantasy novels fairy tales. This is particularly true when a contemporary literary author has written a novel with some kind of fantasy element: there seems to be a somewhat desperate attempt to blur categories so that author could be included in the encyclopedia. The entry on fairy tales and fantasy fiction itself isn't much help either, with some inaccurate generalizations about the genre.
Still overall, there's much food for thought, and it was useful as a reference and would be fun as a browse for the right kind of reader.
A minor gripe: the relationship of fantasy fiction and fairy tale seems to drift across entries, with some making clear distinctions and others calling all kind of straight fantasy novels fairy tales. This is particularly true when a contemporary literary author has written a novel with some kind of fantasy element: there seems to be a somewhat desperate attempt to blur categories so that author could be included in the encyclopedia. The entry on fairy tales and fantasy fiction itself isn't much help either, with some inaccurate generalizations about the genre.
Still overall, there's much food for thought, and it was useful as a reference and would be fun as a browse for the right kind of reader.
October 6, 2015
I mean, it's a dictionary. It does what it's meant to do.
xx-dnf-skim-reference
December 28, 2018(in part for the Italian, Gianni Rodari, mentioned in CBG)
.....
Too superficial for me. Each brief article was more biographical (if of author or artist) or of a summary (if story) than actually analytical (of the dozen or more I sampled). Maybe it would be handy reference for an avid autodidact, maybe a good tool for a scholar. But because the layout is alphabetical, rather than by any sort of theme or topic, one would have to either actually read it, use supplementary materials, or get lucky, to actually learn much new from it.
(My opinion, as a casual autodidact.)
.....
Too superficial for me. Each brief article was more biographical (if of author or artist) or of a summary (if story) than actually analytical (of the dozen or more I sampled). Maybe it would be handy reference for an avid autodidact, maybe a good tool for a scholar. But because the layout is alphabetical, rather than by any sort of theme or topic, one would have to either actually read it, use supplementary materials, or get lucky, to actually learn much new from it.
(My opinion, as a casual autodidact.)
June 15, 2007
This great reference covers stories from all over the world, historic writers, illustrators, and present day authors. Tim Wynne-Jones is even featured! It also covers particular topics such as feminism, oral tradition, science fiction, and many more. Fascinating.
April 26, 2010
Essential companion for anyone interested in faerie tale criticism, especially those wanting to study the history and relationships between folktales, literary tales and contemporary literature. Edited by the incomparable Jack Zipes, this is a Must Have book for scholars and laymen alike.
October 5, 2012
Absolutely my most necessary book in my children's lit studies. I am constantly turning to it. It is a perfectly unending wealth of pertinent information on every aspect of fairy tales--countries and their traditions, illustrators, authors from ancient times to present... everything!
December 26, 2017
This is a brick of a book. Companion/compendium/encyclopedia of fairy tales.
It's a good source for starting any research into fairy tales, and that is in the broadest sense of the words. Each entry is followed by sources and there is an extensive bibliography.
It wasn't as comprehensive as I would have liked but like any dictionary or encyclopedia, it was out of date the moment it was published. Other than that, this is a really good addition to the library of anyone interested in fairy tales and their history. This companion includes fairy tales from around the world and not just Western European.
It's a good source for starting any research into fairy tales, and that is in the broadest sense of the words. Each entry is followed by sources and there is an extensive bibliography.
It wasn't as comprehensive as I would have liked but like any dictionary or encyclopedia, it was out of date the moment it was published. Other than that, this is a really good addition to the library of anyone interested in fairy tales and their history. This companion includes fairy tales from around the world and not just Western European.
February 27, 2016
A very extensive guide to the Western fairy tale tradition. So thorough that it even mentions the porno spoof "Beauty and the 14-Inch Beast." HA!
My main nitpick is that it focuses more on people (authors, artists, composers) than on the actual stories and characters themselves. I was also disappointed that Irish fairy tales were merged with British fairy tales. The Portuguese got their own entry. Why can't the Irish?
My main nitpick is that it focuses more on people (authors, artists, composers) than on the actual stories and characters themselves. I was also disappointed that Irish fairy tales were merged with British fairy tales. The Portuguese got their own entry. Why can't the Irish?
April 6, 2017
If you have an interest in fairy tales, I can't recommend this book enough. It's extremely well researched, and it covers just about every permutation of different fairy tales. I focused on the Cinderella sections, but I would love to just browse this baby.
June 12, 2007
This would have gotten five stars had the editor not missed a couple key points. For instance, he doesn't cite the tale that the cover art is drawn from. But it really is a wonderful resource.
April 17, 2019
An excellent, excellent book that has a comprehensive introduction to the fairy tale genre: well thought out and straight forward, reaching back to Ancient Greek myth all the way through the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries up to today. Zipes is thorough in his explanations of the social conditions needed to make fairy tales arise and how, as these conditions changed, so did the fairy tale form, while keeping major thematic trends. This book is for all fairy tale enthusiasts, academic and layman alike. The majority of the book is encyclopedic, covering names associated with fairy tales across the board of geography, media, and time. One of the best elements of this text is the notion that fairy-tales should always be an item up for critique, as that is part of its very nature.
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October 23, 2021Read very selectively. I was hoping it would include more analysis on the meanings of different fairy tales. There was some of that for the most popular tales in the European tradition, but there wasn’t even an entry for the story I was looking for, and I would have loved an index, as tidbits about different stories or authors were buried in some of the longer entries.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews