Vintage Classics The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories

Da tempo cercavo il libro in un'edizione originale che non fosse stampata su carta straccia come i Vintage Classics in paperback. Questa nuova edizione rilegata del grande libro della Carter, per la collana VINTAGE QUARTERBOUND CLASSICS, è meravigliosa, a partire dalla copertina. Avrei preferito che la stampa interna dell'inchiostro fosse più profonda, ma va bene così. Certo, resta un po' cara.

Livre acheté pour une étudiante : livraison rapide et conforme à la description.

her writing style is just immaculate! the descriptive language, masterful representation of women empowerment and sexual identity topics!!! top notch

Angela Carter was an extraordinary writer. A staunch feminist, she was acutely aware of how misogyny and stereotyping has existence for as long as humans have walked the earth. Some inequality is easy to spot, others, less so. This is a collection of Fairy Tales, written with a clear focus on how women and girls are portrayed in them. It’s important to understand that Fairy Tales were not solely designed to entertain. They are in fact, fables and were used to explain, for example, the dangers of children (frequently with a focus on girls) wandering alone into forests inhabited with wolves and to reinforce the belief that girls should remain at home, helping their mothers to cook and clean. Similarly, Beauty and the Beast focuses on the value girls can be (to their parents) if they marry wealthy husbands, whether by choice, or not. The stories within this collection are familiar and recognisable, but it’s easier to see what the subtext is. Angela Carter’s writing is very descriptive, she relies far less on actual conversation between the characters. Her imagery is fantastic and it’s easy to feel connected to the characters, particularly because I am a woman. The female characters may initially be in a very weak position, but Carter allows them to see their quandary and to make decisions about themselves, which in turn strengthens their position, something that’s rare in traditional Fairy Tales.It’s important to note that these are not merely ‘feminist literature’, nor indeed an ‘attack on men’, as I am certain would be the conclusion immediately jumped to by some people.They are each stand alone stories, with humour, some black, others fairly racy. Puss in Boots is particularly bawdy and highly entertaining. Puss is a phenomenal character and anyone whose had a cat will recognise his bravado. Of course, Puss in Boots is also male, so his extreme confidence and never ending self esteem, is instantly recognisable as akin to the behaviour of some younger males, out on a Saturday night, drenched in aftershave and chatting up girls in a macho fashion!It’s a fantastic book, enjoyable as simply stories, with the extra level providing the ability to see how women have been viewed and treated since time immemorial. But, Angela Carter would not be viewed as the genius she was, had she not crafted each tale carefully. They are more about women being empowered, than an attack on men. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Angela Carter’s devilishly descriptive take on classic fairytales is a macabre delight. Stories are short enough but written with such flair and precision that you end each one wishing there were more. Favorite take was ‘The Company of Wolves” Red Riding Hood story. Menacing and delightful to the degree one can almost hear the cackling of crones in the background. Carter’s magic is evident throughout and well worth the read.