OUT NOW & TAKING BACK THE FAIRY TALE...
Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance is the story of seven free-thinking salon writers of 17th-century France who wielded their pens as an act of protest and launched a sensation that swept across Europe long before the Brothers Grimm were even born. It was these women—conteuses, they called themselves—who coined the term “fairy tale.” The stories they wrote starred strong females on quests that mirrored the challenges the writers themselves faced under the patriarchy, specifically the misogynistic and homophobic reign of Louis XIV. Over the century-long spell that their tales were popular, however, forces would work to erase them, to cast them from the fairy tale canon in favor of male tellers. The headstrong princesses that had lived on the conteuses’ pages were replaced by the types we call classic: obedient Cinderella, naive Snow White, silent Little Mermaid, and flat-out unconscious Sleeping Beauty. But now the salon sisters’ forgotten characters are awakened in revamped tellings of a dozen of the original tales. Revived, too, are the authors themselves, in deeply researched histories that are tributes to the spicy, oft-harrowing lives of these women who shaped one of our most beloved literary traditions.
REVIEWS
In a STARRED review, Library Journal says "Fabulous French fairy tales and the equally dramatic stories of their authors shine in this fascinating book by novelist Jane Harrington (In Circling Flight)." "Written in a creative nonfiction style, this book fills an enormous gap in the history of fairy tales. It belongs on every shelf of literature related to this art form." Karen Bordonaro
From ALA's Booklist: "Harrington seamlessly intertwines the conteuses' biographies with retellings of their tales, allowing readers to see not only the imaginative worlds they created but the lived experiences that shaped them.... Meticulously researched and gorgeously presented...this collection is as visually striking as it is intellectually engaging.... Perfect for readers drawn to feminist literary history, narrative reclamation, or the enduring influence of myth, this book quietly insists we rewrite what we thought we knew about the roots of the fairy tale." Brittney Cray
From Ms. Magazine's August 2025 Reads for the Rest of Us: "This tantalizingly engaging and well-researched book pulls back the curtain on the rebellious women behind the fairy tales we know and love. A perfect mix of biographies and stories, Jane Harrington will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about the princesses, fairies and happily ever after. Karla J. Strand & Violet Pandya
From FIVE STAR REVIEWS: KT calls these "empowering, feminist stories of fantasy, romance, controlling own destiny. It's a joy to read!" Hilary says "I enjoyed the narration of Harrington , I thought she was witty and informative." Inkyhooves "particularly enjoyed the layout of this book... After reading several books that either focus entirely on the writers and assume a reader's familiarity...I truly appreciated being about to have such a nice balance." Kathy Shimpock calls the text "chatty, feminist and engaging."
Included in Gizmodo's "80 New Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Books Arriving in August" -- "Long before the Brothers Grimm, there was a sisterhood of writers who defied the patriarchy and launched a literary craze with their feminist fairy tales--these are their stories."
From Daily Kos's "Nonfiction Views: This Week's Notable New Nonfiction" -- "Enchantingly designed with stunning full color illustrations throughout, this unique and entertaining book will have you rethink everything you know about traditional fairy tales.... The female-empowering, gender-bending tales combine themes like romance, fantasy, escapism, and their protagonists' control of their own destiny--something the writers deeply desired in their own lives."
BOOK EVENTS
ROANOKE VA BOOK LAUNCH!
RAINY DAY READS is sponsoring a public reading and book sale/signing of Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance
EVIE'S BISTRO & BAKERY, 1212 4th Street, SW--food, bar, cakes!
Thursday, August 21, 6:30pm
BUENA VISTA VA BOOK LAUNCH!
Reading, conversation, book sale & signing at
LEAF & LORE Plant Studio & Bookstore
2077 Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista
Saturday, August 23, 2-4pm (drop-ins welcome)
LEXINGTON VA BOOK LAUNCH!
Soirée at THE BOOKERY--107 W. Nelson St.
Reading, signing, conversation, & snacks
Tuesday, August 26, 5-7pm (drop-ins welcome)