Season 6 Episode 11
(Episode 101)
When we think of tellers and recorders of fairy tales, our mind naturally turns to Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Perrault or, of course, the Grimm Brothers. And yet, the 17th century French writer who actually coined the term ‘conte de fee’, or fairytale, when she published her major collection of them in 1697 goes largely unremembered - sidelined perhaps because of her gender at a time when such prominence amongst women was sadly much more rare.
That writer, who compiled the original collection in the French language, was Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, known more colloquially as Madame d’Aulnoy. Her work is not often found in English-language volumes, but is rather sidelined to one or two translated stories being put into anthologies alongside other writers.
But in April of this year, Princetown University Press released a new English collection of Madame d’Aulnoy’s tales, beautifully visualised by Natalie Frank and translated by the eminent Professor Jack Zipes. The book, called The Island of Happiness features a new translation of The Tale of Mira, one of d’Aulnoy’s earlier stories in which the beautiful protagonist kills any man who falls in love with her, before herself falling for a man who is indifferent to her.
In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, guest interviewer Hilary Wilson speaks to the eminent Professor Jack Zipes, translator of D'Aulnoy's works and expert on the literary fairy tale. on the life of Madame D'Aulno
Click here to visit Professor Zipes's website.
To support the work of The Folklore Podcast and The Folklore Library and Archive and help us to keep providing free access to the world's experts in folklore and their research, please visit our Patreon page.
(Episode 101)
When we think of tellers and recorders of fairy tales, our mind naturally turns to Hans Christian Andersen, Charles Perrault or, of course, the Grimm Brothers. And yet, the 17th century French writer who actually coined the term ‘conte de fee’, or fairytale, when she published her major collection of them in 1697 goes largely unremembered - sidelined perhaps because of her gender at a time when such prominence amongst women was sadly much more rare.
That writer, who compiled the original collection in the French language, was Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, known more colloquially as Madame d’Aulnoy. Her work is not often found in English-language volumes, but is rather sidelined to one or two translated stories being put into anthologies alongside other writers.
But in April of this year, Princetown University Press released a new English collection of Madame d’Aulnoy’s tales, beautifully visualised by Natalie Frank and translated by the eminent Professor Jack Zipes. The book, called The Island of Happiness features a new translation of The Tale of Mira, one of d’Aulnoy’s earlier stories in which the beautiful protagonist kills any man who falls in love with her, before herself falling for a man who is indifferent to her.
In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, guest interviewer Hilary Wilson speaks to the eminent Professor Jack Zipes, translator of D'Aulnoy's works and expert on the literary fairy tale. on the life of Madame D'Aulno
Click here to visit Professor Zipes's website.
To support the work of The Folklore Podcast and The Folklore Library and Archive and help us to keep providing free access to the world's experts in folklore and their research, please visit our Patreon page.
Guest Biography
From Prof. Zipes's website: "For years I have tried to intervene in politics through critical theory, work with university students and children, storytelling, theater, and artwork. Throughout all my projects, fairy tales have played a major role because they offer a utopian alternative to the deplorable real conditions of our times. Consequently, my website is my endeavor to share my work with readers interested in changing the world, that is, democratizing democracy and fostering social justice. Keywords in everything I have done and continue to do are — truth and hope in keeping with Herbert Marcuse’s concept of the Great Refusal. I believe we must all reject and resist the degradation of humanity, and so I’ll conclude my brief welcome with a call for all power to the imagination and compassion for all living creatures on this earth!"
From Prof. Zipes's website: "For years I have tried to intervene in politics through critical theory, work with university students and children, storytelling, theater, and artwork. Throughout all my projects, fairy tales have played a major role because they offer a utopian alternative to the deplorable real conditions of our times. Consequently, my website is my endeavor to share my work with readers interested in changing the world, that is, democratizing democracy and fostering social justice. Keywords in everything I have done and continue to do are — truth and hope in keeping with Herbert Marcuse’s concept of the Great Refusal. I believe we must all reject and resist the degradation of humanity, and so I’ll conclude my brief welcome with a call for all power to the imagination and compassion for all living creatures on this earth!"
Guest Interviewer: Hilary Wilson is an animal rehabilitator and writer who lives in the heart of Snallygaster country in Maryland. She studied cognitive ethology and the relationship between humans and other animals at the University of Montana and has been involved in animal rehabilitation and education ever since. She has been interested in folklore her entire life, and is thrilled to be part of The Folklore Podcast.