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A review by joaniesaltzman
Transgressive Tales: Queering the Grimms by Kay Turner, Pauline Greenhill
4.0
Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of folkloristics and queer theory. (All....twenty of us...) Although this book is theory-heavy, it is also moving and enjoyable. If you haven't read a lot of theory, this is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in folkloristics or queer theory. This collection of essays is diverse enough to cover a broad spectrum of issues in both fields, making it a very good primer. In addition, each essay is very well written, each subject being very close to its author's heart. I found myself just as invested in the outcomes many of the essays as I am in the outcomes of stories themselves and my understanding of the tales was deeply enriched by the works of these writers.
However, you probably need to be at least passingly familiar with the works of Althusser and Levi-Strauss to really appreciate these texts. I picked a lot up on the way, but I was definitely glad I had taken a theory class before reading this book. On the other hand, some of these essays helped me understand concepts better than my theory class did. Brush up a little on Althusser's theory of interpellation, grab a dictionary, and get ready to enjoy one of the best works in the field of folkloristics.
However, you probably need to be at least passingly familiar with the works of Althusser and Levi-Strauss to really appreciate these texts. I picked a lot up on the way, but I was definitely glad I had taken a theory class before reading this book. On the other hand, some of these essays helped me understand concepts better than my theory class did. Brush up a little on Althusser's theory of interpellation, grab a dictionary, and get ready to enjoy one of the best works in the field of folkloristics.