The Irresistible Fairy Tale: The Cultural and Social History of a Genre

Zipes is a noted scholar and a real authoritiy on the fairy tale. This book demonstrates some of his very detailed knowledge. But as a whole, the book does not quite cohere. It is not the history of a genre, but a partial history of the European fairy tale and a very limited discussion of modern directions the fairy tale has taken in print and non-print media in modern British and American culture. It is also a rebuttal of certain other scholars who have emphasized the fairy tale as an elite literary development which spread to the "folk" generally rather than the other way around. I agree with Zipes and I think he is right but I do not think he makes a convincing case here. For those college students new to folklore, there is not enough explanation of terms. Partly this is a point that Zipes is making; the terms are very difficult to define explicitly. M. Gubar makes a similar point about children's literature in her discusssions (elsewhere) of that topic, but her approach is much more reasoned and persuasive than the approach Zipes takes here. I should add that Zipes is a prolific author who has written on the issues in this book in many of his other books so it is understandable that he does not want to rehash what he has said before. Nevertheless, if a reader only peruses this one book under review, the social and cultural history of the genre that the subtitle indicates will be lacking. Zipes is particularly good here on the subversive elements of the fairy tale, and the way in which the gender of fairy tale collectors, writers, and adaptors influences what they collect, write, and adapt.

As other reviewers have noted, this 2012 volume is a useful synopsis of the Big Ideas and Big Questions in the study of folk and fairy tales. It seems safe to say that there can be few aspects of this area of scholarship that Zipes has not considered and analyzed. His breadth of knowledge and analytic ingenuity contribute to the case he makes quite convincingly, here: that these little stories can offer us significant insights.I was particularly interested in the many unfamiliar tales Zipes reproduces in the chapter on "innocent persecuted heroines." The question of why some stories provoke retellings, while other stories are forgotten, is a fascinating one. The implications of these cultural choices are political, of course--but more fundamentally, they tell us something useful about the way our brains work.This book is valuable for casual readers; for those of us new to the study of fairy tales; and--I would think--for scholars of the field.

I enjoyed this book greatly, although some of it is repetitious from his other books. If you read just one of Jack Zipes' books, though, it should be this one.The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is that I wish he'd provide more translations of foreign-language story titles. He seems to expect that everyone speaks fluent German and French.

Wonderful read-well organized

Scholarly and complete; wonderfully written but a bit dense at times. I admire Zipes's knowledge and the breadth of his resources.

Jack Zipes is a master at his craft: writing on fairy & folk tales! He is one of the best living today. This is another great literary work in his catalog and a must read

This is a volume that gathers Zipes's previous researches altogether, forming another angle into this specific genre. Really helpful for my study!

Good

This is a very accessible yet profoundly scholarly work which locates so-called fairy tales within their cultural and social contexts, precisely as the title indicates. Illuminating, thought-provoking and generative of reflective insights for those working within various disciplines as well as for the general reader, I recommend this fine work without reservation!

An excellent and informative book for anyone that has an academic or passing interest in fairy tales - Zipes makes the subject accessible and fascinating. Recommended for anyone studying Children's Literature and Fairy Tales - an informative read.

A very useful and interesting book and an enjoyable read, but also valuable as a reliable source for anyone researching this folk tale and its history. From a master in the research and description of folk tales.

Very accessible discussion of fairytale and how fairy tales have become a genre of writing worthy of scholarly discussion. The book considers the range of contributions from scholars and amateurs and how this has shaped our understanding of fairytale.

A wonderful addition to the literature on Fairy Tales.Jack Zipes comes up trumps again!