This is a unique and joyful book. It is self-published and should have been published by a good academic press. Perhaps Ms. Jorgensen got tired of sending it to different presses for publication. Whatever the case may be, I hope it reaches a wide audience of students and fairy-tale enthusiasts. It is a fresh and funny book. At times, stupendously insightful.
Jorgensen divides her book into four chapters: “Basic Concepts & History,” “Short Essays & Blog Posts,” “Academic Articles, Resources & Recommendations.” The information in each one of the chapters is most helpful, especially for readers who develop an interest in fairy tales. Jorgensen is witty and knowledgeable, and it is a joy to read the chapters, which contain invaluable information.
In Making Peace with the Definition, the first section, Jorgensen creates a clear definition of the fairy tale so her readers will not get lost in the many debates about terminology. Here is her definition: “Fairy tales are fictional, formulaic narratives involving transformation, magic, and quests. Fairy tales shipshape their way through folklore and literature, elite and pop cultures, oral and literary traditions, and multiple time periods and regions of the world.”
She, then, provides examples which substantiate her definition of terms, Controversial Debates in Folktale vs. Fairy Tale, and A Short History of the Fairy Tale. Once a reader has a historical comprehension of the fairy tale, Jorgensen gives him or her the tools to interpret the tales in sections such as Motifs and Tale Types, Structure and Structuralism, Interpretive and Analytical Approaches to Fairy Tales, and How to Legit Start Studying Fairy Tales. It is to Jorgensen’s credit that she offers practical advice as well as comprehensive explanations that enable the reader to feel familiar with folklore and fairy-tale jargon.
In chapter 2, “Short Essays and Blog Posts,” Jorgensen reprints many of her shorter essays that touch on significant debates and information. For instance, for beginning readers of fairy tales she spends time to explain the tale type, translations, censorship, art, feminism, and more.
In chapter 3, her longer essays tend to be more political and deal with questions of gender – feminist and masculinist concerns. She demonstrates that fairy-tale studies is not just fun but highly relevant to numerous changes in our society.
Finally, in chapter 4, “How to Use Resources & Recommendations,” Jorgensen reveals that the thirty or more years she has spent studying folk and fairy tales has “paid off.” She has a broad knowledge of internet sources, classics, fairy-tale retellings, and fairy-tale scholarship. There is no doubt that this book is not only perfect for students and people who want to begin a serious study of fairy tales, but it also can serve as an unusual and enjoyable approach to the study of a wondrous genre.
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[Review length: 462 words • Review posted on April 7, 2023]