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The Island of Happiness: Tales of Madame d'Aulnoy
An enchanting selection of Madame d’Aulnoy’s seventeenth-century French fairy tales, interpreted by contemporary visual artist Natalie Frank
Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville (1650–1705), also known as Madame d’Aulnoy, was a pioneer of the French literary fairy tale. Though d’Aulnoy’s work now rarely appears outside of anthologies, her books were notably popular during her lifetime, and she was in fact the author who coined the term “fairy tales” ( contes des fées ). Presenting eight of d’Aulnoy’s magical stories, The Island of Happiness juxtaposes poetic English translations with a wealth of original, contemporary drawings by Natalie Frank, one of today’s most outstanding visual artists. In this beautiful volume, classic narratives are interpreted and made anew through Frank’s feminist and surreal images.
This feast of words and visuals presents worlds where women exercise their independence and push against rigid social rules. Fidelity and sincerity are valued over jealousy and greed, though not everything ends seamlessly. Selected tales include “Belle-Belle,” where an incompetent king has his kingdom restored to him through an androgynous heroine’s constancy. In “The Green Serpent,” a heroine falls in love with the eponymous snake, is punished by a wicked fairy, and endures trials to prove her worthiness. And in “The White Cat,” a young prince is dazzled by the astonishing powers of a feline. Jack Zipes’s informative introduction offers historical context, and Natalie Frank’s opening essay delves into her aesthetic approaches to d’Aulnoy’s characters.
An inspired integration of art and text, The Island of Happiness is filled with seductive stories of transformation and enchantment.
Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville (1650–1705), also known as Madame d’Aulnoy, was a pioneer of the French literary fairy tale. Though d’Aulnoy’s work now rarely appears outside of anthologies, her books were notably popular during her lifetime, and she was in fact the author who coined the term “fairy tales” ( contes des fées ). Presenting eight of d’Aulnoy’s magical stories, The Island of Happiness juxtaposes poetic English translations with a wealth of original, contemporary drawings by Natalie Frank, one of today’s most outstanding visual artists. In this beautiful volume, classic narratives are interpreted and made anew through Frank’s feminist and surreal images.
This feast of words and visuals presents worlds where women exercise their independence and push against rigid social rules. Fidelity and sincerity are valued over jealousy and greed, though not everything ends seamlessly. Selected tales include “Belle-Belle,” where an incompetent king has his kingdom restored to him through an androgynous heroine’s constancy. In “The Green Serpent,” a heroine falls in love with the eponymous snake, is punished by a wicked fairy, and endures trials to prove her worthiness. And in “The White Cat,” a young prince is dazzled by the astonishing powers of a feline. Jack Zipes’s informative introduction offers historical context, and Natalie Frank’s opening essay delves into her aesthetic approaches to d’Aulnoy’s characters.
An inspired integration of art and text, The Island of Happiness is filled with seductive stories of transformation and enchantment.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 18, 2021
9 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
Madame d'Aulnoy
360 books45 followersMadame d'Aulnoy (Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d'Aulnoy) (1650/1651–4 January 1705) was a French writer known for her fairy tales. When she termed her works contes de fées (fairy tales, or literally, "Tales of the Fairies."), she originated the term that is now generally used for the genre. Her 'fairy tales' were written in a style suitable for entertaining in adult salon gatherings, and not with a child audience in mind.
d'Aulnoy also wrote works of history (although not using modern attitudes to historical accuracy), pseudo-memoirs, and a few historical novels.
Born a member of the noble Le Jumel de Barneville family, she was known as the baronne d'Aulnoy by marriage.
d'Aulnoy also wrote works of history (although not using modern attitudes to historical accuracy), pseudo-memoirs, and a few historical novels.
Born a member of the noble Le Jumel de Barneville family, she was known as the baronne d'Aulnoy by marriage.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 19, 2021
It's really nice to finally get a collection of fairytales translated and published by the woman who coined the term, Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy. Many of these 8 tales appear in anthologies, but not in a single volume like this. Jack Zipes' introduction was really fascinating. Or, rather, he showed how fascinating Madame d'Aulnoy was! She tried to murder her husband! And then tried to murder her BFFs abusive husband! Woah.
The tales themselves aren't the type of fairytales you'd find in the Grimms collections. These are long literary tales with feminist themes for their time (which is key). It's clear Madame d'Aulnoy thought women should be able to choose their own husbands without anyone's interference. Meddlesome fairies make an appearance in almost every tale, and many have humans shapeshifting into animals. It's an interesting collection. My favorite of hers is still The White Cat, which is hilarious and subversive and fantastic.
The illustrations are rich and vivid. I wish I had a hardcopy of this!
The tales themselves aren't the type of fairytales you'd find in the Grimms collections. These are long literary tales with feminist themes for their time (which is key). It's clear Madame d'Aulnoy thought women should be able to choose their own husbands without anyone's interference. Meddlesome fairies make an appearance in almost every tale, and many have humans shapeshifting into animals. It's an interesting collection. My favorite of hers is still The White Cat, which is hilarious and subversive and fantastic.
The illustrations are rich and vivid. I wish I had a hardcopy of this!
July 22, 2022
It's great to have a new collection of the once-forgotten Madame d'Aulnoy's wonderful stories in English. Zipes's translations are delightful and bear reading more than once.
I cannot say, however, that I like Natalie Frank's paintings which, in their overblown grotesque style, fail to capture the archness and delicacy of Madame d'Aulnoy's voice and instead undermine it in a most disturbing way. So much so that I found that in order to appreciate the stories I had to cover the illustrations.
I hope that an edition with less disturbing pictures will one day be reproduced.
I cannot say, however, that I like Natalie Frank's paintings which, in their overblown grotesque style, fail to capture the archness and delicacy of Madame d'Aulnoy's voice and instead undermine it in a most disturbing way. So much so that I found that in order to appreciate the stories I had to cover the illustrations.
I hope that an edition with less disturbing pictures will one day be reproduced.
October 6, 2021
My review of this book for The Folklore Podcast can be found here.
My interview with Jack Zipes can be found here, with the interview with Natalie Frank following.
My interview with Jack Zipes can be found here, with the interview with Natalie Frank following.
December 14, 2023
A wonderful edition for the mothers of all fairy tales, complemented by incredible illustrations such as you'll rarely see. Their particular style, albeit modern, matches perfectly with the innovative nature of these tales and grasps the imaginative power of certain images, be it a snake whispering in a Princess' ears or flying frogs. A must-have.
December 16, 2022
4* for the fairy tales. I really like Mme D'Aulnoy's descriptions but some of the plots are over-involved, the shorter tales usually work better for me.
However, Fairy Magotine and her army of puppets I like. Definitely 5* for the incredible art of Natalie Frank.
However, Fairy Magotine and her army of puppets I like. Definitely 5* for the incredible art of Natalie Frank.
August 28, 2024
I love reading fairytale collections and recently heard of madame d'aulnoy. The illustrations are so beautiful and colorful. Natalia's art is very cool and unique.
January 27, 2026
Un classique! Une perfection absolue! Taking a French Fairytales class for my French minor has to be my best decision ever.
September 21, 2024
Considered to be the first literary fairytales, I couldn't wait to dive into this collection of Madame D'Aulnoy! I was not disappointed as the collection beautifully brought together familiar stories and tropes that ultimately paved the way for modern fairy tales. These tales, meant for the amusement of ladies in the royal court, hint playfully at morality while indulging in the fantasy and melancholy of love.
December 3, 2021
L'Ile de La Félicité était un oeuvre classique que j'ai beaucoup aimé pour ma classe de litérrature française de XVIII siècle. Pauvre Adolphe méritait une fin meilleure, mais le Temps vient à tout le monde.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews