The Classic Fairy Tales (Second Edition) (Norton Critical Editions)

This Norton Critical Edition presents a comprehensive collection of seven foundational fairy tale types, from "Cinderella" to "Bluebeard," alongside scholarly commentary that transforms familiar stories into complex cultural artifacts. Maria Tatar curates a selection that goes beyond the sanitized versions most readers know, offering the literary tales in their rich, and sometimes darker, original forms. The book's structure allows you to trace the evolution of each tale type across different cultures and time periods, providing a fascinating look at how these stories have been adapted and interpreted. This isn't just a book of stories; it's a masterclass in how folklore functions and endures.

What makes this edition indispensable is the seamless integration of primary texts with critical essays that explore themes of gender, power, and transformation. The scholarly apparatus doesn't just sit beside the tales—it engages them in a vital conversation, empowering you to become an active critic of the narratives that have shaped our collective imagination. This collection is a vital resource for any student of literature, mythology, or cultural studies, as well as for writers and creators looking to understand the bones of storytelling. By the end, your understanding of what a fairy tale is and what it can do will be profoundly deepened.