A review by liteartha
Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc

informative reflective

3.5

a solid work of nonfiction that examines the relationship between disability and fairytales. i appreciated the way it highlighted both the equating of disability or disfigurement with villainy and the considerably less discussed hero's journey of vanquishing disability or disfigurement in themselves as though to prove their worth or else in reward of their good deeds. leduc's critique of individualistic vs systemic change in fairytales as well as real life is also very compelling. 

there were certain areas in which additional research felt needed and others where the book seemed to lose its focus a little, but i do also recognize that this book (despite a title that suggests scholarship) is actually quite personal for long stretches and delves into the author's own experience with both cerebral palsy and depression. still a book i'd recommend especially to storytellers, but by no means a comprehensive look at the history of disability in fairytales.
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