The Snow Maiden and Other Russian Tales

Bonnie C. Marshall did (does) what I would dearly love to do, albeit all over the world: collect folk and fairy tales from the source. In this work, Marshall has collected, translated, and retold traditional Russian folk tales. Plus, she tells a bit about how she did it, and gives some Russian history for contextual reference.

I've always been a fan of folk tales, and this work represents a wide variety of them from four categories: animal tales, fairy tales, tales of everyday life, and tales of spirits and the supernatural. Some stories end happily, others are a bit of a kick in the pants, and some, well, let's just say I won't ever be going into a Russian bathhouse alone, let alone at midnight...

I admire Marshall's work not just for its entertainment value or its educational merit, but because she worked hard for a subject she truly cares about. It shows. And it inspired further interest in the lands and peoples (and recipes!) from which these stories came.

Blue