The Maid of the North: Feminist Folk Tales from Around the World

Feminist Folk Tales from Around the World

by Ethel Johnston Phelps

The Maid of the North weaves together tales about a woman's right to freedom of will and choice. In this collection of mostly nineteenth-century folk and fairy tales, Ethel Johnston Phelps's heroines successfully portray women as being spirited, courageous and smart. This type of heroine is not easily found in most collections; in most traditional folk and fairy tales we encounter women are portrayed as being good, obedient, submissive, and, of course, beautiful. These women and girls are resourceful; they take action to solve a problem and use cleverness or shrewd common sense to solve the dilemmas they face.

The tales themselves are part of an oral tradition that document a generation according to the values of the time. Phelps has given these older tales a fresh, contemporary retelling for a new generation of readers, young and old. She shapes each story, adding or omitting details to reflect her sense of a feminist folk or fairy tale.

The twenty-one tales collected represent a wide variety of countries; approximately seventeen ethnic cultures from North America to Europe to Asia tell a story in which women play a leading or crucial role in the story.

Genres: Feminism, Short Stories, Fiction, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Folklore, Childrens

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Phayvanh · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the stories themselves are interesting, and the illustrations very evocative, the collection as a whole does not live up to the theme of "feminist" folk tales. The common theme here are stories featuring females (mostly pretty young ladies). Some are brave, some are resourceful. Nearly ALL of them go through their adventures only to become happily married in the end, forever after.

There's my problem with it. Most of the stories end at the point of joyous marriage, just with all the regular "non-feminist" tales. What's the diff? One exceptional story is "Elsa and the Evil Wizard", in which a young lady ends up forcing a wizard to undo some of his wickedness. Also notable is "The Stars in the Sky", a fanciful tale about reaching the stars.

In my opinion, "The Husband Who Stayed at Home" is the most feminist tale in the book. In it, a man who believes he's getting the short end of the deal, exchanges household duties with his wife, and mayhem ensues. A parable for modern times. I would have liked to have read more stories like these, instead of ones in which women get rescued (by male/paternal characters) and end up married, as if that is really the goal.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable collection of folktales featuring heroines from around the world. Some were familiar to me from children's books ("East of the Sun, West of the Moon," "Duffy and the Devil," "The Old Woman and the Rice Cakes"), but most were new to me. I especially enjoyed the Native American tales "The Hunter Maiden" and "Bending Willow," and the Scandinavian stories "The Giant's Daughter" and "Finn Magic." As Phelps points out in her introduction, all the women in these tales are courageous, clever, and strong. Their cleverness in outwitting monsters, wizards, and other evildoers often provided moments of humor in the stories, adding to my enjoyment of the collection. In fact, the only story I disliked was "Scheherzade Retold," which was too short with a weak, wishy-washy ending. I wish the book had been twice as long, as I'd love to read more such tales. Recommended for folktale lovers both male and female.

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

The older I've gotten, the more nebulous I've found the term 'feminism' to be. It's not as if the word doesn't have its uses or lacks any sort of inherent value. However, it is much abused, and the further I go into the paradigms of postcolonialism, queerdom, and misogynoir, the less likely I am to pay attention to works that throw around the F word without qualifying it to any degree. This particular piece may not have engaged me much, but it did serve as prime justification for my aforementioned distrust: careless, trite, and barely worthy as an introduction to the pieces it "presented," especially the ones of a non-white origin. White woman's "colder environment" (compared to whom? the Inuit?) making for more independence in character development? Please! In any case, if you stumble across this as part of the 500 Great Books by Women, unless you're at the very beginning of your feminist journey, you can give it a miss, considering how much unpacking of the bastardization that the tales suffered under you'd have to do subsequently. In my case, the read at least motivated me to finally switch from Google to DuckDuckGo (the site:search is being forcibly stifled on the former for whatever invasive reason), so at least there was somewhat of a silver lining.

[madsenmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not actually a "men suck, who needs them anyway" collection of feminist tales, but rather stories where the heroine has a larger role to play (as opposed to, say, Sleeping Beauty, who is unconscious for much of the story) or rescues herself, rather than needing a Prince Charming, or where the heroine helps the hero considerably. Don't get me wrong, I love all kinds of fairy tales, but it's nice to see some that don't follow the predictable Disney format. Although the author admits to taking some liberties with a few of the stories, mostly they seem to be fairly true to the original versions (as far as I can tell with the few I was already familiar with). I'm also a sucker for original versions of fairy tales--wanna know what *really* happened to Sleeping Beauty while she slept? ;)

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread this book, after not having read it for many years. I enjoyed getting reacquainted with fairy tales that have powerful women. No Sleeping Beauties or Cinderellas here, waiting for the handsome prince to rescue them. These women use their wits to solve problems, save their communities,and fight evil.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my last read of 2021 (a wonderful re-read of an absolutely formative childhood favorite), so it's time for my annual reading year retrospective on the books I consumed in 2021.

Best Re-Encounter:
A re-read that I got much more out of this time around
A Room with a View by E. M. Forster
Honorable Mention: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson and The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien

Worst Re-Encounter:
A once-beloved book that wasn't quite as good as I remembered
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

It Isn't You, It's Me:
A book I didn't really enjoy or didn't quite "get," but I suspect I'm missing something
Romola by George Eliot

From the Jaws of Defeat:
A book that almost bested me, but I made it through and it was worth it
The Flight of the Falcon by Daphne du Maurier

Exceeded Expectations:
A book that was even better than my high hopes
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Best Surprise:
A book for which I had low or no particular expectations that absolutely blew me away
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Worst Surprise:
A book for which I had high expectations that was a big disappointment
The Councillor by E. J. Beaton

Biggest Stinker:
A book that was all-around bleh
The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
(Dis)honorable Mention: Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers

Best of SFF:
The sci-fi/fantasy highlight of the year
A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

Best of Romance:
The genre romance highlight of the year
The Henchmen of Zenda by K. J. Charles

Loveliest Listening:
A book I'm particularly glad I experienced as an audiobook
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, exquisitely read by Rosamund Pike
Honorable Mention: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie, charmingly performed by Richard E. Grant

Guiltiest Pleasure:
A book that may not have enriched my intellect, but definitely made me smile
The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope and its even more delicious retelling The Henchmen of Zenda by K. J. Charles

Twistiest Mystery:
A mystery that really befuddled and dazzled me
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

So Glad It Was Assigned:
A fantastic book I read for school that I would probably never have picked up on my own
The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution by C. L. R. James

Best Laugh:
A book that caused me public embarrassment
Short Stories by Saki by Saki
Honorable Mention: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe

Best Cry:
A book that caused me a different kind of public embarrassment
A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine

Best New Author:
My favorite author I read for the first time in 2021
Cat Sebastian

Book of the Year:
Whether because it was the best reading experience, gave me the most to think about, or was the most productively frustrating, the book I'm most glad to have read in 2021
Middlemarch by George Eliot

[Sam Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I recently reread it, but I cut my eyeteeth on it which is probably why I love it so much. That said, so many great stories that I now force my husband to suffer through before allowing him to fall asleep at night.

[Fiona Endsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

These tales are very beautifully and lovingly retold, "Fair Exchange" alone makes getting this book worthwhile. Though these stories are particularly beneficial for little girls to hear, anyone who enjoys a good story will find this a satisfying book.

[HeavyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

These feminist folks tales feature smart and spunky females; women and girls get the be the heroes here! Boys and girls should read these stories.

[Emelda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was never huge into fairy tales as a child, but I think I would appreciated this collection greatly had I been. I can imagine these lesser-known and reworked traditional fairy tales are great for bedtime stories for younger children, and broken up enough to keep the attention of an independent reader to whom illustrations are not terribly important (in that not every story has one, they are nice in and of themselves). A great stepping stone for parents & children bored with the standard fairy tales, but not yet ready to tackle the more gruesome original tellings. While the stories have strong women from around the world, it is white-european centric. I did not appreciate the two tales labeled "Native American." Seriously, no research on which tribe(s) the tales came from? And it was very heterocentric/marriage oriented.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I respectfully disagree with reviews that the stories weren't feminist. Almost every story featured a strong female protagonist who took charge of her circumstances and used wit, strength, or courage to solve problems. Many of the stories involve men messing things up and the women having to set things back to right. In various cases, women in relationships were presented as having superior capabilities to their partners, or as being respected within those relationships. I am thrilled to have this collection to share with my daughters. I think this book is quite special.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well ediited and very readable folks tales with female protagonists from around the world. Some of them may be debatably feminist, but they are good stories, features women in girls in the spotlight, usually being clever and strong. Worth having and reading. The diversity of cultures represented is also a plus.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection includes several tales that I have read elsewhere. While most of the tales have a line at the end of story saying that heroine married, becoming a wife is not the quest of these stories. The collection also shows different types of women doing things in different ways.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Various ethnic fairy tales featuring female characters. Mostly European origin.

Suitable for molder children to read independently.

I would use it as a compare and contrast male and female roles in stories with fairytales like Sleeping Beauty or Rapunzel

[Reuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feminist children's lit. Good.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of female-friendly folk tales. All featuring powerful female characters who decide their own fate. A great suggestion for children, boy or girl.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

So nice to find folktales and fairytales about women. It's a good collection, fun and readable. Good stories.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little collection of tales where a female always saves the day...

[Lex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading folk tales I hadn't heard before. I also don't want my daughter exposed to many of the Disney fairy tales, so this is a great alternative

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll have to buy this one to read the stories to my children! They are all great!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for those who are tired of Cinderella and her passive friends.

[A. Mickey Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun, especially the Twelve Huntsmen and the Giant's Daughter.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though not feminist in the modern sense of the word (nearly all the stories end in a "successful" marriage), this collection of stories feature strong women using wits and magic to save the day, even when they are not the protagonist of the story. Some of the stories seemed fairly reworked by the author, so it's hard to get a gauge on how accurate the stories were (the author even admits to some creative storytelling). Quick read, but I'm not sure I would recommend it to kids these days.

[Nora Peevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of strong, independent female characters from around the world.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

My level of interest varied a lot from story to story. The one I'll remember most is Gawain & Lady Ragnell- I was unexpectedly moved by the way power & choice played out in this story.

[Crystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book does a great job of highlighting the lack of feminist folk tales from around the world. Yikes. These are weak.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful

[Lisa Overberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What a woman desires above all else is the power of sovereignty - the power to exercise her own will" (p. 40). So discovers Sir Arthur in the English tale, "Gawain and the Lady Ragnell." This collection of folk tales features strong, independent female protagonists who possess the self-confidence to solve the dilemmas they face. Readers meet fearless maiden hunters, a brave but hungry woman who acquires a magic stirrer that produces unlimited food, and a heroine named Duffy whose dilemma recalls the miller's daughter in Rumpelstiltskin. This collection features tales from many cultures and would be a very good read-aloud book in the classroom.

Genre: Folk tales
Reading level: 7.1
Grade level: 6-8
Lexile: 810L

[سحر محمود · Rating 3 out of 5]

يحتوى هذا الكتاب مجموعة من الحكايات الشعبية من أماكن وثقافات كثيرة حول العالم، يجمعها شئ واحد وهو أن أبطالها من النساء.. أعجبنى الكتاب ولكنه لفت نظرى إلى أن لدينا فى النوبة ومصر مجموعة من الحكايات الشعبية الرائعة لبطلات مميزات لا يعرف عنهم العالم الكثير.. بطلات ينطلقن من تراثنا العريق الذى ينظر إلى المرأة نظرة راقية .. بطلات تمكن داخل الحكايات من تغيير واقعهن وساعدن من حولهن وبحثن عن قدرهن حتى حققن هذا القدر.. بطلات يملكن الشجاعة والإصرار والقوة لمتابعة أحلامهن ويراعين قيم مجتمعاتهن. هذه الحكايات غير متضمنه فى هذا الكتاب ومن المؤكد أنها تستحق الاهتمام والنشر