Into the Forest discussion

I had a piece publish about Cinderella today! With a decapitating Cinderella and it discusses two new retellings.

http://www.bronzevillebee.com/2019/07...

Congratulations! It’s a great article. It entices me to read these versions of Cinderella (and maybe others as well!)

A great piece, Margaret. Interesting reading and I'm going to have to read the Rebecca Solnit version (with Arthur Rackham illustrations).

Thanks both of you!

Definitely read the Solnit version. :)

Annette, I loved both books. I also wanted to include Geekerella but didn't have enough space for it!

Margaret wrote: "I had a piece publish about Cinderella today! With a decapitating Cinderella and it discusses two new retellings.

http://www.bronzevillebee.com/2019/07......"

Congratulations, Margaret! A great article.

Tamara wrote: "Congratulations, Margaret! A great article."

Thank you!

Well that is so awesome!

Katy wrote: "Well that is so awesome!"

:)

Margaret, are you familiar with the Native American Cinderella story? It's one of my favorites. Developed separately from the European version, it actually serves as a counterpoint to the accepted tradition. Now, I love the traditional Cindy, but the Native American version is a most refreshing variant. This Cinderella is physically unattractive, has no fashion sense whatsoever, and all the villagers shame her. Still, this version of the story ends up becoming mythic and all the more beautiful, as she ends up the bride of, not a prince, but a god! It's her inner qualities that apparently stand out to the god's sister who is picking out his bride for him (!!!). I love the message that instead of mocking someone who doesn't have it all together, you should have compassion, and realize she is maybe doing the best she can, and show her the kindness of helping her out instead of tearing her down. After all, the next time you see her, she might just be revealed as the gem the gods, who look at the heart, have chosen to bejewel their pantheon.

Congrats and good article! 🤓

Micah wrote: "Margaret, are you familiar with the Native American Cinderella story? It's one of my favorites. Developed separately from the European version, it actually serves as a counterpoint to the accepted ..."

That sounds a lot like The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin. The first time I read it in my early twenties I loved it, but now I have some reservations. The man who writes it writes stories from a lot of cultures not his own. It also has a Western religious feel to it. So I'm not sure how I feel about it now!

Another (non Native American) picture book with a similar story is Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale.

That's it. But I did not encounter it in connection with Martin. The version I read was one of several in a college composition book text. It was brief and in a multi-cultural context, so I suspect it was unfiltered. The same section also included the Chinese take (with a talking fish skeleton instead of a fairy godmother!) and an African version (perhaps the same as the one you mention above?) ...in which the stepsister character tries to take the Cinderella analog's place in bed with the groom and is executed for it!

Great article Margaret! Congratulations! I did not know about Finette Cendron written by Madame d’Aulnoy!

Yes, thank you Margaret for the information on Madame d'Aulnoy! The woman who gave us the genre title "fairy tale." I didn't know that. She sounds like she would be interesting to learn more about.

Enjoyed the article!

I found Finette Cendron in Beauties, Beasts and Enchantments: Classic French Fairy Tales edited by Jack D. Zipes. I think we did it as a group read a while ago?

I still need to read Cinderella Tales from Around the World. I bet there are so many good ones!

Micah, I bet the Chinese version you read was Yeh-hsien, which is the oldest known version of the tale. :)

Thanks Margaret! The Cinderella archetype is worthy of a doctoral thesis in itself it seems! It certainly testifies to the unity of the human heart across all time and cultures.

Micah wrote: "Thanks Margaret! The Cinderella archetype is worthy of a doctoral thesis in itself it seems! It certainly testifies to the unity of the human heart across all time and cultures."

I'm sure there are dissertations on it! :) It's amazing how many fairytales have been told for thousands of years.

Congratulations Margaret!

Mmm great article, like something out of Bitch magazine. Great job raising awareness about feminist retellings <3

Zanna wrote: "Mmm great article, like something out of Bitch magazine. Great job raising awareness about feminist retellings <3"

Thanks! I'm trying to get into Bitch Magazine!