Spells of Enchantment: The Wondrous Fairy Tales of Western Culture (Paperback)

~ Various (Author), Jack Zipes (Editor) "Once upon a time there lived a king and queen who had three very beautiful daughters..." (more)
Key Phrases: three clever kings, cohuleen driuth, composite king, Prince Ahmed, Minor Canon, Mother Rigby (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This massive volume includes 67 tales, more than half of which were written in the 20th century by such authors as Twain, Rilke and Philip K. Dick; despite some low spots, readers will be kept interested. Illustrations.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Nearly 70 classics of the literary fairy tale (written for adults) fill this unique and fascinating anthology. The genre attracted such luminaries (represented here) as Voltaire, Goethe, Thackeray, Hawthorne, Yeats, Strindberg, Rilke, Hesse, and Apollinaire, as well as contemporary masters like Calvino, Lem, Coover, and Tournier. As the chronological order of these selections shows, the orientation and emphasis of the "wonder tales" have shifted over time. But the genre remains a vehicle for the utopian hope of personal or societal redemption and transformation, even amidst the harshest realities. Zipes offers a useful overview of the genre's historical evolution, but his own ideological stance adds an element of the provocative to his many insightful observations. Besides its importance for literary and cultural institutions, this "wonder-full" collection will surprise and delight the ordinary reader in search of the extraordinary.
- Patricia Dooley, Univ. of Washington Lib. Sch., Seattle
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (December 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140127836
• ISBN-13: 978-0140127836
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #497,648 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great bedtime read, December 8, 2000

By A Customer

i love fairy tale compliations because they are great to set your mind at ease after a long day. this one is particularly good. the stories are from authors such as Jean-Jacque Rosseau, Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, William Hawthorne, and so on. It's a who's who from classical to comtemporary authors, political figures, and philosophers. Because of the variety of contributors, each story is very different, smart and compelling in it's own right. the stories range from about 5 pages to over 30. it is definately not a children's fairy book, but can awaken and inspire the child in all of us. because it includes about 60 different tales, it can be reread time and time again. just a great book to have around.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wealth of treasures, February 16, 2002

By	Kelly L. (www.FantasyLiterature.com) (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

From Apuleius to Tanith Lee, _Spells of Enchantment_ is filled with fairy tales written through the ages. If you like adult fairy tales, don't hesitate for another moment. There is something in here for every taste, and Zipes is picky enough about quality that every story is well-written even if it's not in your favorite style. My only gripe is that it ends on a down note, with a depressing story by de Larrabeiti. I liked the story, but I wanted a happy tale at the close of the book. But that's just a quirk of mine. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful anthology, July 8, 2008

By	Jem (MD, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Jack Zipes has edited many excellent "fantasy" anthologies. This one takes a slightly different tact than most, pulling from a variety of cultures over a long history. You won't find many modern fantasy authors within. Only Jane Yolen, Tanith Lee and Robin McKinley stand out as outstanding recent authors. Zipes reaches all the way back to the Second Century for the first tale, "Cupid and Psyche" by Apuleius, and continues on with well known classic authors like Goethe, Hawthorne, Hans Christian Anderson, Oscar Wilde, Yeates and even Mark Twain. There are 67 tales included spanning the Second Century to the 1980's. Great authors from nearly every literary movement appear and give the reader a tour of the genre.

Readers will find well known tales like "Sleeping Beauty" and "Rumpelstiltskin," but also some lesser known gems like "The Seven Wives of Bluebeard" and "Spiegel the Cat." This collection is a great way to get a young fantasy fan to enjoy the work of classical authors that may have a stigma attached to them (I have to read that for school!) Readers should note that the language of the tales has been altered to the vernacular. So, Cupid and Psyche is told in a straightforward manner without the archaic structures used by the original author. Purists may gasp at the audacity, but new readers will be grateful for the translation! The tone and heart of the stories remain intact. This is a huge work with something nearly everyone can enjoy. Overall, a very well done anthology that is more than worth the price of admission.