Breaking the Magic Spell: Radical Theories of Folk and Fairy Tales (Paperback)

by Jack Zipes (Author) "To begin with a true story told in fairy-tale manner: Once upon a time the famous physicist Albert Einstein was confronted by an overly concerned..." (more)
Key Phrases: anticipatory illusion, plebeian public sphere, radical morality, Harry Potter, Snow White, French Revolution (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
“The name Jack Zipes is synonymous with highly regarded and widely read anthologies and critiques of fairy tales.” -- Choice

“Zipes ably demonstrates that moral, political, religious, and other ideologies have shaped these apparently innocent narratives.” -- Lore and Language

Review

"A stimulating contribution to the critical literature of folk and fairy tales.-- Children's Literature Association Quarterly" -- Children's Literature Association Quarterly

"The name Jack Zipes is synonymous with highly regarded and widely read anthologies and critiques of fairy tales.-- Choice" -- Choice

"All libraries should acquire this new edition of one of the most influential texts in the field.-- Choice" -- Choice

"Fairy Tales are a highly fashionable study today for literary scholars as well as folklorists, and another new book shows what a range of interest can be evoked by them. This time in Jack Zipes' interesting and vigorous study.-- Encounter" -- Encounter

"Zipes reveals the extraordinary breadth of his acquaintance with both recent and classic literature in the field of folk and fairytale research.-- Fabula" -- Fabula

"Zipes manages the impressive trick of communicating both detail and overview without simplifying either... the serious folklorist should should defnitely have this on his bookshelf.-- Fortean Times" -- Fortean Times

"Zipes ably demonstrates that moral, political, religious, and other ideologies have shaped these apparently innocent narratives.-- Lore and Language" -- Lore and Language

"Zipes ably demonstrates that moral, political, religious, and other ideologies have shaped these apparently innocent narratives.-- Lore and Language" -- Lore and Language

"This problematic, provocative study will undoubtedly provide stimulating reading for many audiences.-- Romantic Movement" -- Romantic Movement

"Zipes has written a stimulating and important contribution to the sociology of popular literature.-- Sociological Review" -- Sociological Review

"Places traditional tales in their socio-political, economic and cultural contexts.-- Teacher Librarian" -- Teacher Librarian

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky; 2 Rev Exp edition (July 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813190304
• ISBN-13: 978-0813190303
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #335,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview of Nonstandard Folktale Theories, April 28, 2000

By	Julia Starkey (Medford, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Breaking the Magic Spell: Radical Theories of Folk and Fairy Tales (Hardcover)

I really love Jack Zipes, and this is one of his helpful books for folklorists, and amateurs who enjoy reading fairy tales. It presents a variety of 'radical' theories about the meaning and construction of fairy tales. Many of the theories are no longer quite so radical. The book also gives you a good overview of feminist theories about the tales, some of which will surprise. Among other things, that fairy tales are not always about the subjugation of silly blond princesses. I reccomend this book as an intro to folk and fairy tale theory.

3 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, January 3, 2007

By	Maria Rosa Gombau Reverter "rose" (Reus, Spain) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is very interesting and it gives you so much information about the fairy tales and the mass media industry.