"I just read this article in a UK paper about how appalled people are by Grimm's fairy tales, how they would never read them to their children, but I think they're marvelous. They create these worlds of horror that at the same time are containable. You get to the end of the story and it's almost always happily ever after. People can learn about a certain amount of pain, and it always ends fine in the story. They're amazing tools for children—I wouldn't give every story to a child because there are a lot of anti-Semitic and flat out bad stories, but I don't see the harm in a smart kid reading Grimm's tales."
Lauren Groff, who visits today, talks about finding inspiration in fairy tales for her new novel Acadia in Interview magazine.
Picture: An illustration by Arthur Rackham from a 1909 edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Not Appalled By Fairy Tales
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
New York Sings!
Capital Rep in downtown Albany will host a free program of songs and folklore, unticketed and open to the general public, Saturday, March 24, 1-2:30PM. The program features musicologist Rena Kosersky and folklorist-musician George Ward.
"Join us for a lively exploration of New York’s musical traditions, including 19th and early 20th century songs and folklore gathered in the Schoharie region, such as “A Dutch Lullaby” and “Billy Boy,” that reflect the roots of New York's earliest settlers. This event is cosponsored with the University at Albany’s Department of History and Documentary Studies Program and Researching New York 2012, and is scheduled to coincide with the regional premiere of Frank Higgins’ Black Pearl Sings!, at Capital Repertory Theatre from March 13 through April 7."
Contact 518‐445‐SHOW (7469) for more info.
Picture: George Ward with concertina.