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71st out of 149 books
—
107 voters
Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, And The Evolution Of A Fairy Tale
In "Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked" Catherine Orenstein reveals for the first time the intricate sexual politics, moral ambiguities, and philosophical underpinnings of Red Riding Hood's epic journey to her grandmother's house, and how, from the nursery on, fairy tales influence our view of the world. Beginning with its first publication as a cautionary tale on the perils...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
July 8th 2003
by Basic Books
(first published 1966)
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Totally engrossing cultural criticism, ranging from crazyass werewolf-mania in the countryside of 1500s France (so much cannibalism!) to Red Riding Hood porn. Each chapter starts with a version of the tale, from Grimm to Anne Sexton to Freeway, and Orenstein makes it clear how the drastically changing tale always mirrors the concerns of its age.
Overall, I liked this book. The history of the fairy tale "Little Red Riding Hood"--and fairy tales in general--is especially fascinating ("Little Red" was originally written in the 17th century by Perrault as a cautionary tale warning court ladies against sexual "wolves"). But I felt that Orenstein was padding it a bit when she included pieces on the history of wolves vs. man, wolves in literature, an extensive look at Anne Sexton's personal history, and how the classic tale is respun in the mo...more
The first half of this book was excellent. I'm fascinated by the early versions of fairy tales, before they were cleaned up for children, and the author provides a very interesting history/analysis of each version of the tale presented in the book. I especially enjoyed the section about the oral versions of the tale. They were bawdier and more gruesome than the written versions.
The second half of the book was much less interesting. It focused on modern versions of LRRH, from poetry to pornograph...more
The second half of the book was much less interesting. It focused on modern versions of LRRH, from poetry to pornograph...more
Although we all seem to be familiar with the fairy tale of “Little Red Riding Hood”; most of us are less familiar with the origins of the tale, the meaning and implications, and the evolution of the story. Catherine Orenstein explores these areas in “Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale”.
Orenstein opens “Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked” with interesting focal points concerning the history of the tale, various versions, the effects of cultural groups...more
Orenstein opens “Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked” with interesting focal points concerning the history of the tale, various versions, the effects of cultural groups...more
My fascination with fairy tales knows no bounds. Part cultural study, part literary analysis, Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked fed that fire and lived up to my expectations. A surprisingly quick read, Orenstein presents her material in a succinct manner and makes each individual section stand on its own merits, thereby avoiding an overabundance of repetition. Her examination of the story's early history and metamorphosis over time is thorough without being dry, riveting enough to hold even a cas...more
Despite the intentionally sexualized cover, this is an intelligent and interesting exploration of a well-known character, one I hadn't given much thought to before. Red Riding Hood is different from a lot of fairy tale females in that she's a child and doesn't play a particularly sexual role, at least not in the story most of us know.
Each chapter presents a historical version of the tale and then goes on to discuss the theme and often moral message inherent in the story. I was surprised at the...more
Each chapter presents a historical version of the tale and then goes on to discuss the theme and often moral message inherent in the story. I was surprised at the...more
This book was pretty spectacular. It gave me a a nice look at the development of the red riding hood story and different reactions that have been held for the past hundred years. It included a good dose of theory all explained in an easy to access manner. The author writes in elegant style that is both attractive and easy to follow. If you have an interest in fairy tales, sociology,social theory, philosophy, or psychology I would recommend this book.
interesting info included, especially the historical aspects of the tale.
one aspect that I found annoying was that it appeared as if the chapter intros were added after the text was written and some intros seemed misplaced or repetitive. ex. the chapter with the 3 page movie synopsis as the intro and then the same info almost verbatim is the first couple of pages of the chapter.
one aspect that I found annoying was that it appeared as if the chapter intros were added after the text was written and some intros seemed misplaced or repetitive. ex. the chapter with the 3 page movie synopsis as the intro and then the same info almost verbatim is the first couple of pages of the chapter.
I get the impression that this was someone's English dissertation. I adore fairy tales and I loved learning the history particular to this one. It's neat to see the way a myth grows and changes with time, and how similar constructs and ideas cross cultural lines.
I liked the beginning best when the author discusses the origins and social implications of the story when it first appeared. I wasn't as interested in the societal evolution of the modern day (70's to the present).
This is an excellent book. Although it has a scholarly title, it's extremely interesting and not that hard to read. I enjoyed the exploration of the symbolism in the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and how that symbolism has changed over the years.
I kinda have a thing for little red riding hood. I love how this book explores all of the mythology behind her story. Very quick and easy read.
Really interesting theory and historical synopsis on the metamorphasis of the Little Red Riding Hood stories across generations and cultures.
An interesting history of an interesting fairy tale. The book was jam-packed with details around various tellings and the cultures they grew up out of. I was never terribly into fairy tales as a child- more into "actual" fairies and magic and ghosts and the lot, so it was interesting to revisit. I was especially intrigued by the history of the "true" fairy tales (which I knew where violent and sex-filled, but hadn't read), miscellaneous laws and traditions around marriage (this being one of the...more
Loved this thorough journey through the history and cultural associations of the classic red riding hood story.
I appreciated the historical contexted this book tried to offer, as in, rape as we define it today is really only a 200 hundred year idea. And I appreciated how she pointed out that stories continue to change according to the needs and expression of the current culture. It just read at times like a college thesis research paper, and in some areas where you could have used more information it was light and instead there was an intire chapter on just her interpritation of the film "Freeway". Good...more
An entertaining deconstruction of several variations on the Little Red Riding Hood story.
A very interesting history of Little Red Riding Hood.
You won't read be able to read the fairy tale the same way again after reading this book!
You won't read be able to read the fairy tale the same way again after reading this book!
A psychodynamic look at fairy tales
Jul 25, 2011
Tori
added it
2007
Read it for my research essay for English. I was only really supposed to read the parts in the beginning about Perrault and the Grimm brothers but I couldn't help reading the rest of the book. It is written in an accessible, engaging style, which somewhat surprised me. I don't know why I was expecting it to be pedantic. However, there were some occasional spelling mistakes, which took some of the zeal from me. Highly recommend it.
My first in a long history of criminal justice reviews...loved this one.
I love this kind of book - one that takes something mundane and examines it closely so that you suddenly see the culture and time period it comes from in a whole different way. And this was one of the best examples that I've read - clear, entertaining, and utterly fascinating.
An absolutely brilliant look at fairy tales, their evolution, and their meaning. Little Red Riding Hood has always been my favorite fairy tale, and reading such an insightful, in-depth and yet broad analysis of the tale in all its versions was a true delight.
Entertaining and a quick read. Esp the parts about the early iterations of the story--the social commentary on wigs and powder France, bartered-off daughters locked in convents, and the slippery morals of the bourgeoisie.
Intersting insights about fairytales (mostly Red Riding Hood) and how their content and meaning has changed with the times. Not bad, but this was originally her college thesis, and still kind of reads that way.
The author compiles a lot into an interesting, quick read.
No revolutionary theories or ideas here, but she does justice to Little Red's legacy for sure.
No revolutionary theories or ideas here, but she does justice to Little Red's legacy for sure.
The author dissects the various versions of the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale. Very accessible reading. First heard about it on NPR.
Jan 12, 2008
Tera
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fairy tale enthusiasts and feminists
Shelves:
feminist-queer-gender-theory
oooh a feminist critique and dissection of a popular fairy tale. What else could you ask for?
Jun 17, 2013
Oleida
marked it as to-read
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