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The Narrow Cage and Other Modern Fairy Tales

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( 88 ratings, 66 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Narrow Cage and Other Modern Fairy Tales by Vasily Eroshenko is a captivating collection of stories that blend whimsical fairy tale elements with modern philosophical themes. Eroshenko's tales weave narratives that explore human nature, freedom, and the complexity of emotions, all while employing rich allegory and imaginative settings. The book offers a profound yet enchanting experience, highlighting universal truths through surreal and magical storytelling.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you have an interest in modern adaptations of classic fairy tales and tales that explore themes of humanity and morality. It offers a unique glimpse into cultural storytelling through the lens of Eastern European folklore, making it an intriguing read for those fascinated by diverse literary perspectives.

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Vasily Eroshenko was one of the most remarkable transnational literary figures of the early twentieth century: a blind multilingual Esperantist from Ukraine who joined left-wing circles in Japan and befriended the writer Lu Xun in China. This book presents a selection of his stories, translated from Japanese and Esperanto, to English readers.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Vasily Eroshenko was one of the most remarkable transnational literary figures of the early twentieth century: a blind multilingual Esperanto speaker from Ukraine who joined left-wing circles in Japan and befriended the famous modernist writer Lu Xun in China. Born in a small Ukrainian village in imperial Russia, he was blinded at a young age by complications from measles. Seeking to escape the limitations imposed on the blind, Eroshenko became a globe-trotting storyteller. He was well known in Japan and China as a social activist and a popular writer of political fairy tales that drew comparisons to Hans Christian Andersen and Oscar Wilde.

The Narrow Cage and Other Modern Fairy Tales presents a selection of Eroshenko's stories, translated from Japanese and Esperanto, to English readers for the first time. These fables tell the stories of a religiously disillusioned fish, a jealous paper lantern, a scholarly young mouse, a captive tiger who seeks to liberate his fellow animals, and many more. They are at once inventive and politically charged experiments with the fairy tale genre and charming, lyrical stories that will captivate readers as much today as they did during Eroshenko's lifetime. In addition to eighteen fairy tales, the book includes semiautobiographical writings and prose poems that vividly evoke Eroshenko's life and world.

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  • The Narrow Cage and Other Modern Fairy Tales
    Vasily Eroshenko was one of the most remarkable transnational literary figures of the early twentieth century: a blind multilingual Esperanto speaker from Ukraine who joined left-wing circles in Japan and befriended the famous modernist writer Lu Xun in China. Born in a small Ukrainian village in imperial Russia, he was blinded at a young age by complications from measles. Seeking...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Vasily Eroshenko's collection is acclaimed for its imaginative and often subversive tales that blend morality with political critique. The stories are seen as enchanting yet profound, offering timeless messages on equality and freedom through the lens of fairy tales. The translation by Adam Kuplowsky is praised for capturing both the lyrical innocence and the poignant critiques of Eroshenko's work, making it a compelling read for those interested in the power and beauty of storytelling.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780231207690

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 March 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Columbia University Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Adam Kuplowsky

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Vasily Eroshenko (1890-1952) was a blind writer, translator, activist, and teacher who led an extraordinarily global life. After studying in Moscow and London, Eroshenko traveled to Japan, where he found fame for his fairy tales and public speaking. Deported from Japan in 1921 for his connections to political activists, Eroshenko moved to China, where well-known writers like Lu Xun were translating his stories to wide acclaim. The final decades of his life were spent in the Soviet Union under Stalin, and he died in obscurity.

Adam Kuplowsky is a translator based in Toronto.

Jack Zipes is a professor emeritus of German and comparative literature at the University of Minnesota.

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