Queeries: Essays on Queer Theory and Fairy Tales

by Pete Jordi Wood

Whilst researching a Master of Arts degree at Falmouth University, Pete Jordi Wood discovered a centuries old queer fairy tale in a rare collection of folktales from the 1800’s. His own variant of the tale is perhaps the first conceived in the English language. Possibly dating back to the thirteenth century, the tale is here brought back to life and told anew. It is an unusual tale-type from the oral storytelling tradition featuring a positive portrayal of a queer hero.

Although there have been diverse re-imaginings of queer fairy tales, the author’s variant of this story and its supported research here attempts to legitimise queer folklore’s place in history. In doing so, this little book sheds light on humanity’s enduring capacity for love and compassion towards the LGBTQ+ community.

Identifying as an #OwnVoices writer and illustrator, the author published this essay collection, and his accompanying fairy tale, in an effort to encourage other marginalised voices in academia, in particular within the fields of illustration, creative writing, folklore, film and television studies, to share and promote one another’s research and practice.

Genres: Nonfiction

60 pages, Paperback

First published December 10, 2019

About the author

Pete Jordi Wood is an author, screenwriter and illustrator. Discover more at www.petejordiwood.com

Reviews

[Debbie is on Storygraph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbes had an article about the author's discovery and retelling of a lost queer fairy tale, The Dog and the Sailor. Read it, loved it, and then bought this, a series of non-fiction essays about his journey to finding the fairy tale and the academic theory behind it. It was short but super fascinating. I'll even forgive him the use of 'irregardless' the one time.

[Emma Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was shortlisted by the Folklore Society for the annual Katherine Briggs award. The judges commented that it was a very different approach to the rest of the list, and spoke highly of it. Personally, I thought it should have won. It is very short (61 pages), but covers the lack of identified queer folktales in past research. Where such themes have been noted, they are usually presented as a jest or in a negative light. The author, who has included some lovely illustrations of his own, looks closely at folktales and motifs from an LGBTQ perspective, identifying unnoticed elements that suggest gay references. There is a good list of academic and other references, and he mentions popular culture in films. Highly recommended, and not full of jargon or pretentious academic vocabulary.