Postmodern Fairy Tales

This scholarly work examines how classic fairy tales have been transformed through a postmodern lens, with particular attention to gender dynamics across different historical periods. Bacchilega analyzes four foundational stories, tracing their evolution from traditional versions to contemporary retellings that challenge conventional representations of women. The book provides a historicizing framework that reveals how these narratives have both reinforced and subverted gender norms over time, offering readers a sophisticated understanding of fairy tale politics.

What makes this analysis particularly valuable is its intersection of feminist theory with postmodern literary criticism, creating a multidimensional approach to familiar stories. Readers interested in gender studies, literary theory, or cultural criticism will find rich material here, as Bacchilega demonstrates how fairy tales serve as cultural battlegrounds for defining femininity and power. The book ultimately illuminates why these enduring stories continue to matter in contemporary discussions about gender identity and narrative authority.