One of the best known and enduring genres, the fairy fales origins extend back to the preliterate oral societies of the ancient world. This books surveys its history and traces its evolution into the form we recognized today. Jones Builds on the work of folklorist and critics to provide the student with a stunning, lucid overview of the genre and a solid understanding of its structure.

One of the best known, most enduring, and popular genres in all of literature is the Fairy Tale. Its origins stretch back to preliterate oral societies. This book surveys the origins and evolution into the modern versions we recognize today. It includes a general history of the form, analysis of exemplary texts, chronology of significant events, works, and figures from the genre's history, notes and references, and an extensive bibliographic essay with recommended reading.