(I have also done a list of fairy tales I want re-told, not so long ago, so I will just link it here)
Here we go (in no particular order).
This is a collection that contains dozens of versions of one single tale type: That of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. When they ask me which one is my favorite fairy tale, this is usually my first pick. I also adore the idea of the SurLaLune series, which publishes variations of a single tale in each volume. The other volumes are great too.
We had to read the entire Pantheon Fairy Tale Library series for our storytelling classes at ETSU, and it was the best homework ever. Out of the series, Arab Folktales was the one that I liked the most; it just had a lot of stories that clicked with me personally, and a lot of the fairy tales in the collection are exquisitely beautiful.
This is a collection of folk- and fairy tales that are about storytelling and storytellers. It is a great premise for a book, and the tales are very well selected, and eloquently told.
It only came out this year, and it is a great collection. Remember when everyone was sharing that one article about "500 New Fairy Tales Discovered in Germany"? Well, this is an English translation of that collection. It has some amazing tales in it, and it is more graceful (and emphatic) than the Grimm stories.
It's a classic, and a truly enchanting one too. Calvino re-writes some of the stories (and makes them better) but also dutifully notes what he changed in the end notes, so if you want, you can look up the original versions too. Some of my favorite fairy tales can be found in this book.
This is a well-selected and well-researched collection of folk- and fairy tales about women, from all over the world. It is a storytelling classic. There are a lot of great stories to be found in it, and also extensive notes. You might have gotten the idea by now that I love extensive notes...
Another classic, and one of the first collections I told stories from when I was a beginner storyteller. Colorful, literary retellings of Italian fairy tales from the 16th century. A fascinating read, if you are interested in other versions of fairy tales that are most often known as Grimm.
In addition, it was turned into a gorgeous movie this year!
I have a soft spot for Cajun culture, and this story collection is amazing. Written by legendary storyteller J. J. Reneaux, it contains my favorite version of Bluebeard, among other things.
Another gorgeous collection of stories from the Pantheon series. There are a lot of unique stories and interesting tale types in there, and many stories deliberately selected because they talk about the importance of storytelling (and listening). All-around beautiful book to read.
It is an old book, but is very close to my heart. Not only because Rome is my favorite city in the world, but also because Busk collected and compiled a lot of fascinating stories, from fairy tales to local legends, by living there and talking to the people. It is a great collection, especially if you plan to visit the city itself.
Do you have a favorite fairy tale collection I didn't list? I would love to know!
Fantastic list. There are a few titles I'd like to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing :-)
Fantastic list. There are a few titles I'd like to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing :-)
Unfortunately, I haven't read any of these. But I have heard of the Twelve Dancing Princesses so I guess that's better than nothing! :P
ReplyDeleteAs I read through your list, I received a strong vibe of multicultural readings happening here. Like, you have got almost everything cover - from Rome to Arab, then to Indian and Italian, and even Cajun! :D What a diverse list you've got there. ^-^ I seriously need to start reading classics because university next year may just require me to do that :P
P.S. When I first saw your blog, I couldn't stop staring at your hair! :D Like not to sound creepy or anything but damn, it's such a cool hair colour!
Haha, thank you :) I am a gingerfeit, but I own it. And yes, I try to read a lot of stories from many different cultures. It is always interesting to see the differences and the similarities :) Most of these books are fairly well known among storytellers, and a lot of the tales we tell on stage come from them. These are just the ones I like the most :)
DeleteOoh some really interesting choices here! I'd love to read some. Hehe Twelve Dancing Princesses - one of my personal favourites! ♡
ReplyDeleteI actually hear a lot of female storytellers (and women in general) say that. Someone should do a study on what makes it so appealing :)
DeleteThanks for the recommendations. Sometimes I'm afraid I've read every folk tale book out there.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE how you changed this up to 'collections'. I'm eyeing a couple of these now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by our TTT!
Love your list of collections - and also how so many cultures are represented. But I loved finding your blog and reading a little about you. How wonderful to be a professional story teller! My husband and I spent a lot of our honeymoon in Hungary and loved it. I lived for two years in Nitra Slovakia many years ago and taught English and many of my friends were Hungarian. I so appreciated the folk songs they shared with me
ReplyDeleteOh, the Dancing Princesses one sounds lovely! I love the idea of collecting variations of the same story within one anthology... hat's off to whoever thought of that!
ReplyDeleteBeth x
www.thequietpeople.com
I love the Twelve Dancing Princrss, I'll have to check out your first book.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am I definitely bookmarking this list. I mean, I said on my list that I'd love to read a Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling and here you are with a whole collection! All of these sound so so so good, especially the The Turnip Princess. Gosh, I don't know which one to order first. You've got a great list here darling <3
ReplyDeleteNattie @ Book Rambles (here is my Top Ten)
This is a really unique list! I love the idea of the collection dedicated to women!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by the The Local Muse
Will definitely look out for the 12 Dancing Princesses one! That was one of my favourite stories too - being an oldest sister, I liked that the hero picks the oldest to marry, not the youngest like you always expect :)
ReplyDeleteRight? I like that about the story too :) Also, the Hungarian version is pretty sweet.
DeleteI would love to read a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses...I've seen a few floating around this week. Great list and thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteI so want to read The Turnip Princess. I love that they've just been sitting there waiting to be read for so long. Have you looked into reading Princesses Behaving Badly? It's real life princess tales...without the fairy tale endings. :) I just added it to my TBR this week.
ReplyDeleteOmg, I haven't read ANY of these but I desperately want the Rome and Italian folklore ones! :D I would love to see more retellings of those too, for some more culture and diversity. XD It would be epic.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
This is such a great list! Adding several to my TBR :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow this is really interesting! I haven't read any of these, but they are so lovely! To be honest, I dont think I have ever read a collection of folk or fairy tales of any kind. Perhaps I will need to. Thanks for sharing such a great list :)
ReplyDeleteShannon @ It Starts At Midnight
They are a really fun read. And they are interesting, especially nowadays when they inspire so much literature :)
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