The Forbidden Chamber

All her life, Lady Isabel Colven has followed the path laid out for her. Her future holds a dutiful, passionless marriage, and she’s content…until the exotic and compelling Lord Rukh Hayle threatens her maidenly reserve. Rumor paints him as a wife-murderer; desire tempts her to look past his aura of danger. Rukh refuses to let his family’s curse kill a third bride, but Isabel awakens the Raven within him, compels him to take her to wife—and to bed—despite the secrets that live under his skin. Their union arouses a curse, entangling Isabel in an erotic tug of war that can only end in her destruction. There is no escape for either of them. Not from his family’s shadowy history. Not from demons imagined and real. And not from the choice Rukh faces to save his bride from a fate worse than death Warning: This gothic contains heady kisses that lead to ruin, passionate sex on a desk chair, a mysterious husband who may be a murderer, a cursed family of raven shifters, and an unspeakable evil hidden in the closet.

This unusual book will appeal greatly to all who have an interest in folklore and fairytales. This book is a fabulous essay on the construction of a fairytale. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900's and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Mixed Magic: Global-local dialogues in fairy tales for young readers considers retellings and adaptations from a ‘glocal’ context: a framework focused on the reciprocal and cross-cultural exchange between global processes and local practices and their potential transformative effects. The study examines an eclectic range of retellings from the East and West from the 19th century until the present, among them orientalized picturebook versions of Beauty and the Beast and Bluebeard; Disney’s animated classics; Asian versions of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid; Gene Luen Yang's graphic novel American Born Chinese; and the fantasy films of Hayao Miyazaki. Drawing on theories of globalization, cognitive narratology, subjectivity, and eastern thought, the book reveals new implications for intertextual analysis. This beautifully illustrated volume is the first sustained study of the effects of global-local and East-West interchanges on representations of self and Others in children’s literature and folklore studies.

This volume examines the concept of taboos and tabooism and a dozen powerful ones in our society and suggests the control they exert on our everyday lives.

In this highly original approach to the study of the construction of culture, this collection of previously unpublished essays explore the topography of the secret and the forbidden, focusing on specific moments in recent cultural and political history. By bringing together writers from different disciplines and different locations, this volume provides a rich and diverse mapping of how the secret and forbidden operate across different subjects and different geographies, extending far beyond physical locations. It is present in domains ranging from language, literature, and cinema to social and political life. This refreshing and thought-provoking collection of essays will prove invaluable for researchers and students.

This is an authoritative presentation and discussion of the most basic thematic elements universally found in folklore and literature. The reference provides a detailed analysis of the most common archetypes or motifs found in the folklore of selected communities around the world. Each entry is written by a noted authority in the field, and includes accompanying reference citations. Entries are keyed to the Motif-Index of Folk Literature by Stith Thompson and grouped according to that Index's scheme. The reference also includes an introductory essay on the concepts of archetypes and motifs and the scholarship associated with them. This is the only book in English on motifs and themes that is completely folklore oriented, deals with motif numbers, and is tied to the Thompson Motif-Index. It includes in-depth examination of such motifs as: Bewitching; Chance and Fate; Choice of Roads; Death or Departure of the Gods; the Double; Ghosts and Other Revenants; the Hero Cycle; Journey to the Otherworld; Magic Invulnerability; Soothsayer; Transformation; Tricksters.

The 'Greatest Russian Fairy Tales & Fables (With Original Illustrations)' is a seminal anthology that traverses the rich tapestry of Russian folklore, offering readers a unique lens through which to explore the diverse and intricate landscapes of cultural storytelling. The collection magnifies the overarching themes of morality, heroism, and the mystical, capturing the essence of Russian folklore with a range of literary styles from the poetic to the prosaic. The inclusion of original illustrations alongside the tales adds depth and texture, enhancing the magical realism that permeates these stories. This anthology stands out not only for its comprehensive selection but also for its commitment to preserving the narrative integrity and aesthetic appeal of each piece. The contributors—Arthur Ransome, Valery Carrick, W. R. S. Ralston, and Nisbat Bain—are celebrated for their roles as cultural ambassadors who have meticulously translated and retold these stories, ensuring their accessibility to a wider audience. Each author brings their unique perspective and scholarly rigor to the project, enriching the collection with their distinct voices and backgrounds. Their collective works serve as a bridge between the rich oral tradition of Russian folklore and the global literary community, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities and nuances of Russian culture and its historical folklore movements. This anthology is an indispensable resource for aficionados of folklore and fairy tales, educators seeking to diversify their literary curriculum, and anyone intrigued by the cultural heritage of Russia. It offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of Russian fables and fairy tales, replete with heroes, villains, and moral lessons that resonate across cultures and epochs. Readers are invited to explore the depth and breadth of this collection, which promises not only an educational journey through the heart of Russian folklore but also an enchanting experience enriched by the original illustrations that bring these timeless stories to life.