The Classic Fairy Tales (Norton Critical Editions) Paperback – November 4, 1999

This book compiles tales of the same type (Cinderella together with other Cinderella versions) in sections preceded by an introduction of analysis of the tales overall. A great book for those interested in how tales vary from culture to culture. The end of the book also has a compilation of criticism/analysis of fairy/folk tales from different experts including Jack Zipes. A must have book for those interested in the scholarly side of fairy tales.

Great tool for my college literature course. Plenty of in depth analysis, well documented original fairy tale translations, and plenty of variety between the types of tales. Even if you don't care about the "critical edition" part of this, it's well separated into sections for different versions of the major tales and contains a good collection of stories to read. Highly recommend.

This book came in great shape. Definitely used but nothing wrong aside from a little wear and tear. Had majority of the big fairy tales with some interesting critic quotes and analysis! Used it for my Fairy tales course at UC Davis and I thought it was definitely worth the buy. The added commentary was a great source for essays.

I had a book like his many years ago. I do not know what happened to it. I was trying to explains some of the information to my Granddaughter so she could have a deeper appreciation of the fairy tales. She found this book quite interesting and said it gave her a different perspective on those simple fairy tales.

With a whistle through the thistle and a spiffle twixt the wiffle.........book overall was excellant....but slightly over written.......Thanks to all and Merry Christmas......your devoted customer......Stu Harrell

If you sense that imagination is being extinguished in young people, you will find light to pass on to high school and college students in this Norton edition. Maria Tatar has compiled a rich anthology of classic fairy tales and packaged them with insightful introductions to each tale type and a collection of thought provoking critical essays. Tatar covers it all, from the gritty peasants who told the tales around the fire for entertainment and respite from a brutal life, to Angela Carter's knack for holding a merciless mirror up to 20th century images. Selections from China and Russia are mixed in with the expected German, Italian and French stories. One particularly informative essay includes models of Stith Thompson's tale types that the folklorists use. Hard to explain, but this portable gem feels like a passport to the world's story telling.

Being into fairytales and writing and illustrating for kids i thought it best to first do a study behind the tradition of fairytales. This text is a very interesting read and quite enjoyable, cause not only are there riveting discussions surrounding the very stories we grew hearing...but you are also given the experiences of reading different versions of them from centuries old and different cultures. I would recommend it!

A different twist on common fairy tales. This book was required for a college course but I did find it interesting.