Tatterhood and Other Tales
by Ethel Johnston Phelps
Overview
From the Publisher
All the central characters in these folk tales are spirited females-decisive heroines of extraordinary courage, wit, and achievement who set out to determine their own fate. Some of their stories are comic, some adventurous, some eerie, and some magical. The 25 traditional tales come from Asia, Europe, India, Africa, and the Americas; detailed information about their sources is given.
My thoughts
I've always loved folk tales just for the novelty of the ideas. The events are absurd and the stories seldom are demonstrative of the point they're trying to make and yet they're fascinating stories that are so fun to share! I absolutely loved Tatterhood.
Incidentally, all the heroes in these stories are female. It is intentional and the reasonings are described in detail in the preface of the book.
Favorite Passage
Not long afterward the queen realized she was with child, and some time later she had the birthing. First was born a girl who had a wooden spoon in her hand and rode upon a goat. A queer looking little creature she was, and the moment she came into the world, she bawled out, "Mamma!"
"If I'm your mamma," said the queen, "God give me grace to mend my ways!"
