The Complete Fairy Tales

Charles Perraults versions gave classic status to the humble fairy tale, and it is in his telling that the stories of Little Red Riding-Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and the rest have been passed down from the seventeenth century to the present day. Perraults tales were enjoyed in the salons of Louis XIV as much as they were loved in the nursery, and it is their wit, humour, and lively detail that capture the imagination of adult and child alike. They transmute into vivid fantasies the hidden fears and conflicts by which children are affected: fears of abandonment, or worse, conflicts with siblings and parents, and the trials of growing up.

In addition to the familiar stories, this edition also includes the three verse tales - the troubling account of patient Griselda, the comicThree Silly Wishes, and the notoriousDonkey-Skin. This new translation by Christopher Betts captures the tone and flavour of Perraults world, and the delightful spirit of the originals.