The Irresistible Fairy Tale

"This is Zipes‘s magnum opus, the culmination of more than thirty years of research, and his broadest consideration yet of the fairy tale. He tackles very difficult fundamental questions, and provides credible theoretical foundations and historical evidence for the answers he proposes. Ultimately, he redirects the conversation about the origins, nature, and appeal of the fairy tale." --Donald Haase, editor of Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies "Liberating, stringent, and new, this book demonstrates Zipes‘s unique and important affection for fairy tales while opening new lines of thinking about them. The Irresistible Fairy Tale--like fairy tales themselves--will appeal to both scholars and general readers. Its enlightening tone is irresistibly good." --Kate Bernheimer, author of Horse, Flower, Bird: Stories and editor of Fairy Tale Review "This is an important examination of the elusive quality of the fairy tale. Everywhere in evidence is Zipes‘s mastery of the subject, his capacity to engage with its folkloric, literary, social, and cultural aspects, and his ability to communicate with general readers as well as specialists." --Graham Anderson, University of Kent