The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales (Paperback)

~ Jack Zipes (Editor) "AARNE-THOMPSON INDEX, shorthand for The Types of the Folktale, the classification system for international folk tales developed and first published in 1910 by the Finnish..." (more)
Key Phrases: Hans Christian, Snow White, Red Riding (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This comprehensive guide is as wonderfully thorough and cross-referenced as we've come to expect from the Oxford Companions, and it deserves a place on the bookshelf of any lover of children's literature or films. Arranged alphabetically, The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales covers authors, illustrators, individual titles, and countries of origin for the fairy tales of Europe, from medieval times through the era of Walt Disney. Each entry is handily marked with asterisks when there's a related section to read; "The Little Mermaid" has asterisks highlighting both Hans Christian Anderson and Disney, while the larger section of Victorian Fairy Painting has 19 asterisks in its three pages of text. While authors and stories generally don't get more than a few paragraphs of detail, you'll find the quantity of entries most impressive. Beyond standard fairy tales, authors of classic children's literature and adult fantasy are often included, if their works rely in any way on earlier myths or tales--Terry Pratchett and Maurice Sendak are two examples. Larger sections devoted to regional differences are lengthy and fascinating, and they include Portugal, Spain, France, North America, Britain, and Italy. The book also has plenty of illustrations. While they're all in black and white, the variety of artistic styles is wonderful, and each plate is large enough to show charming details of giants, maidens, witches, and all the classic characters of these beloved stories. Whether your heart lies with Edward Gorey or Kate Greenaway, you're sure to enjoy the facts behind your favorite tale. --Jill Lightner --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

The M?rchen, or fairy tale, is widely defined as a fictitious narrative with a human main character; it includes fantasy and is told as a means of instruction and/or entertainment. Born out of oral tradition, the tales contain many thought-provoking layers, including ancient incredulities, archetypical fears, contemporary folk beliefs, exquisite superstition, heartfelt wishes, and social commentary. This well-documented volume contains 800 signed entries authored by 67 authorities from around the world. No actual tales are included; instead, this reference is an illuminating collection of brief essays on classic tales, both modern and ancient. In alphabetical order, the companion profiles noted authors, illustrators, filmmakers, choreographers, and composers; more broadly, it covers film, art, opera, ballet, music, and commercial use. Zipes, a major authority on the subject, lets readers explore the development of the fairy-tale tradition in various countries, paying special attention to European and American writings. Attractive, well written, and approachable, this solid guide to the fairy-tale world is without equal. Recommended for all public and academic libraries.
-Richard K. Burns, MSLS, Hatboro, PA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198605099
• ISBN-13: 978-0198605096
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #516,744 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent imperfect resource for Western literary fairy tale, August 13, 2000

By	M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

This is an excellent first edition of a resource book which has carefully limited its scope "Western", "literary" "fairy tale". Imagine my amusement, however, that I picked up at the same time as this volume The Fairy Tales of Hermann Hesse tranlated by Jack Zipes - and there is no entry for Hesse in the Companion.

This volume is especially strong. however, in that it recognizes the contributions of composers, artists and film directors and their work to the fairy tale tradition. The entries are fascinating and do not require any expertise in the field. Items are indexed in a manner that it is easy to find what you are looking for - "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is under "Snow White" - that may seem self-evident but with the number of varients of fairy tales that is not always so simple.

There are longer articles on the various regions and the general flavor and history of fairy tales in the region. These provide a broad overview that is most useful.

Opening at random to give a flavor of the entries: Charles Kingsley for his The Water-Babies; Rudyard Kipling for Puck of Pook's Hill and Rewards and Fairies; Sarah Kirsch for her retelling of Grimm tales in prose and poetry; Kismet the musical; Edward Knatchbull-Hugessen author of 15 children's books; Janusz Korczah for a recent utopian fairy-tale novel.

This book is a significant contribution. I should hope for a second edition to close some of the holes. [Of course, I'd like a similar volume for the rest of the world AND a volume for animal fables ...]

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding guide to fairy tales, old and new, December 26, 2000

By	Sheila L. Beaumont (South Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

This delightful, informative book will give great enjoyment to anyone who loves fairy tales. You'll find an in-depth entry on just about any fairy tale, old or new, you can think of. Among the profiles of authors, I was pleased to find excellent write-ups on three of my favorites, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and Diana Wynne Jones. Other writers from the past covered here include E. Nesbit, Hans Christian Andersen, Oscar Wilde, A.A. Milne, George MacDonald, Beatrix Potter and L. Frank Baum; others from the present include Robin McKinley, Lloyd Alexander, Vivian Vande Velde, Terry Pratchett, Astrid Lindgren and Patricia C. Wrede.

There are also entries on composers, opera, operetta, ballet, illustrators, film, television and science fiction. Generously scattered throughout are full-page (and smaller) illustrations by artists such as Gustav Dore, Kay Nielsen, Walter Crane, W.W. Denslow and Arthur Rackham. And special sections trace in detail the development of fairy tales in various countries.

This well-written, well-edited guide is a must for anyone with an interest in fairy tales.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent reference tool, April 19, 2000

By	Heidi Anne Heiner (SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

This book should be in all moderately sized reference libraries and larger. With a focus on the European Fairy Tale tradition, this volume includes entries on authors, illustrators, playrights, critical movements, collectors, films, and countless others related to the fairy tale genre. The entries are well-researched and many are enhanced with rarely reproduced illustrations. The book makes a great reference tool, but also serves as a candy dish full of information about your favorite fairy tales. While some expected entries are missing, this is still the best reference volume in the field. It is highly recommended.