The complete fairy tales /

Perrault's tales are well known (e.g., "Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," and "Little Red Riding Hood"), but they are most often reprinted singly within anthologies. This new translation and collection of the tales in one volume is especially useful for serious students of the folk tale, though it is also billed by the publisher as a gift edition. In his strong introduction, retired French professor Betts presents a biography, cultural background, and brief analytical comments, Freudian and otherwise. Three verse tales ("Griselda," "Donkey-Skin," and "Three Silly Wishes") are translated as poetry rather than prose for the first time in English, Betts believes. Explanatory notes deal with problematic cultural and language issues, and an appendix covers Aarne-Thompson-Uther and other classifications and related literature. The 19th-century illustrations by Dore (some of them gruesome) add to the gift quality of this collection, but it is not for the very young, even if read aloud. VERDICT Decidedly scholarly in tone, this will best serve those in an academic context. For the translation alone, it is worthy of purchase, even for libraries already holding a collection of Perrault tales.-Katherine Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.