Forbidden Journeys: Fairy Tales and Fantasies by Victorian Women Writers

If you're interested in an excellent overview of the literary fairy tale, in particular its use by Victorian Women writers, this book is the best I know. The authors present their argument in logical and readible chapters that highlight the tales that follow. Auerbach and Knoepflmacher are constantly referenced by other scholars for good reason. Their conclusions are insightful and useful, and I highly recommend them.

Auerbach and Knoepflmacher have assembled a fascinating collection of fairy tales by Victorian women writers. The collection offer rarities by well-known writers such as E. Nesbit, Christina Rosetti and Francis Hodgson Burnett and by forgotten, but equally interesting, writers such as Jean Ingelow. Absorbing reads all on their own, the stories also offer interesting contrasts to the better-known Victorian children's fantasies authored by men, such as Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and the Oz books. The editors' discussion of the stories (and one novel) are enlightening without being heavy-handed. An extra pleasure is the inclusion of several illustrations. This is that rare piece of lit. crit. that can be read aloud to children--I particularly recommend E. Nesbit's stories for this purpose.