Don't Bet on the Prince

I first read Don't Bet on the Prince roughly 20 years ago, and recently went searching for my copy (apparently loaned or lost). I bought a replacement copy and came to the realization that a lot has changed in 20 years.My intent this time was to have some stories to read to my daughters that offered a counterpoint to the traditional/Grimm/Disney imaging of women in general and princesses in particular. Some of the stories are well above the elementary or middle school levels, while some others are appropriate as stories for children. Zipes acknowledges this by segmenting the stories into two groups, one for the young, and the other for the young at heart. Most are referential, though, in the sense that strong familiarity with the traditional tales make these more interesting. An additional section of feminist literary criticism follows.To the end of stories for kids, I very much like "The Princess Who Stood on Her Own Two Feet," and "Prince Amilec." That said, there are most likely better anthologies of stories for children. As a bit of critical text, it certainly represents a step in the progression of feminist theory, just not the current one.

I was a charter subscriber to MS. magazine decades ago. The first issue included a story called The Green Woman which I adored. From time to time over the years I would try to find the story but could not. It is in this storybook and I am SO PLEASED to read it again after so many decades

I love this book, I received my first copy of this when I was a teenager and I have treasured it ever since. I most recently bought this as gifts for a friend's daughter. Feminist fairytales with a variety of approaches to the subjects. I must for anyone who wants to counter the princess "rescue me" obsession.

Love this book. I enjoy the stories and use them once in a while in class

The stories in the first section are entertaining, with that indescribable fairy tale sense of wonder and optimism. I am struggling to get into the second section, because too many of the stories don't have that sense of optimism that a good fairy tale should have, (according to things Zipes has written in his other books). One of the stories, by Jane Yolan, is more fantasy than fairy tale, and is downright tragic.This might be a good book for the serious student of fairy tales or feminism, but I wouldn't read any of the stories in the second section to my children.

The book tells feminist fairy stories that are gentle with the guys too. Jack Zipes, the editor is, after all, a man. I've used the book with students, grandchildren, fellow feminists - all to a warm welcome. Highly recommended.

In three sections (following a lengthy introduction), editor Zipes compiles three revised, purportedly feminist takes on traditional fairy tales: Feminist Fairy Tales for Young (and Old) Readers and for Old (and Young) Readers, 17 modern fairy tales from authors like Tanith Lee, Jane Yolen, and Anne Sexton among others, and four pieces of feminist literary criticism on fairy tales. That a work purports to be feminist, however, does not necessarily make it so. Or, rather, a work can claim to be feminist, can aim to be feminist, and still fall short of the mark--as is the case here. First, it's Zipes that drags down the anthology. In his overlong introduction and concluding critical essay, he's given to cumbersome academic dialog and bold leaps of reasoning, a tendency towards form (in place of content) which makes for inscrutable, unsubstantiated arguments. Those arguments are promising, but they beg clearer, more thorough address. The anthology's second weakness is the stories themselves. There are some gems--most provided by the authors mentioned above, and Carter's "The Donkey Prince" and Atwood's "Bluebeard's Egg" also appear on my list of favorites. But there are many stories which fail to push their feminist premises far enough, leaving them open to worrying commentary."In none of these tales is marriage a necessity or a goal for young women, rather it is a possibility which may or may not enter their plans. [...] In addition, the lives and careers of the young women are not telologically [sic] shaped by marriage (17)," writes Zipes in his introduction, yet in a surprising number of Prince's stories marriage is presumed--and in more, female energy is focused on male figures, roles, and relationships. The stories that don't fulfill heteronormative goals of romance, marriage, and childbirth often focus on that failure, mourning the sense of loss that accompanies it. For a purportedly feminist anthology, Prince has a surprisingly strong focus on men (even in the title!), and heteronormative standards are nearly inviolate. Perhaps I aim too high (and take too modern an approach) when I wish that Prince didn't constrain its feminism to heteronormative obligate male/female relationships; the fact that it does not, however, makes it limited in scope and depth. And then there's de Larrabeiti's story "Malagan and the Lady of Rascas," in which a husband has his wife made grotesque to force her to remain faithful, and when she does for many years remain faithful--and good, patient, and forgiving--he learns to be a decent human being. A story where men make decisions, women survive ill treatment without complaint or agency, and men reap the rewards of the experience is not feminist--certainly not feminist enough to fit a collection that totes the word so boldly on its cover.Prince is not all bad--many stories are second rate (not just because of their feminist content, but because they are too far divorced from their source material to be effective retellings), Zipes is a constant irritation, but the other essays are thoughtful (if dated and brief) and there are some intriguing stories in the collection. But the volume aims to be more than this, and it's a lofty goal; that it fails to reach that goal makes it a disappointment. There are better feminist takes on fairy tales out there, even if they don't come in such proud packaging. I don't recommend this one.

This is such an amazing book. It's part of what lead me into my research into looking at strong female characters in folk tales. This book is a must for people who don't want to read stories about wishy washy princesses waiting for the prince, and scholars alike. I reccomend this book highly.

Great book. Has come as described. Very fast shipping. Very pleased

The book is of course great but instead of a used, good copy I received an ancient, stained, battered copy. Not happy at all. Also the price marked on the back cover was 1£ and I bought it for 305 INR!

my copy was pretty used when i received it, but i don’t care & it still was in good shape. i thought it was a self-help book for gambling/prince addicts but FYI it’s not.

Arrived quickly. Intriguing book. Good seller. Thank you.

Fun, cleverly written tales that challenge the old trope of a princess or damsel in distress needing a "prince" to save her.