A new collection of rejigged tales gets much closer to the spirit of these stories than the ‘traditional’ versions we’re force-fed There’s a book called Politically Correct Bedtime Stories, written by James Finn Garner, which used to be on my parents’ shelves, and is now on mine. Published in 1994, it was a massive bestseller in its time, satirising changing social attitudes and acting as an amusing corrective for the holier-than-thou: Little Red Riding Hood, for example, finds the wolf’s suggestion that it isn’t safe for a little girl to walk through the woods alone “sexist” and “offensive in the extreme… ” but, she says, “I will ignore it because of your traditional status as an outcast from society, the stress of which has caused you to develop your own, entirely valid, worldview”. It also stands as a reminder that the so-called culture wars, all that rightwing fury at the “tyranny of woke”, are simply the political-correctness-gone-mad wars of yesteryear rebranded for a new, digital age.Right-on children’s books have had a resurgence, as demonstrated by the success of series such as Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This autumn, children have been gifted four rejigged fairytales in the form of Vintage Children’s Classics’ new Fairy Tale Revolution series, which sees Bluebeard, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel and The Ugly Duckling revisited by Malorie Blackman, Rebecca Solnit, Jeanette Winterson and Kamila Shamsie respectively. They are all just lovely: sweet and funny... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2020-11-04 09:00:13 UTC ]
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The bold $1.9 trillion measure signed into law yesterday includes $200 million in pandemic relief funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the largest single increase in the agency's history. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-03-12 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The legacy of science fiction author Octavia Butler is to be explored at the Barbican's New Suns feminist literary festival this month. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-03-04 07:24:31 UTC ]
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The bestselling novelist, subject of an upcoming HBO Max biopic and author of the new memoir 'The Soul of a Woman' discusses aging, feminism and home. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-02-24 17:00:12 UTC ]
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The Welsh government has announced a £2.25m rescue package for the National Library of Wales after proposed cuts at the institution sparked uproar. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-02-05 03:34:48 UTC ]
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Hachette UK is launching the Feminist Book Box, a subscription service intended to highlight the best in feminist writing and storytelling across its 10 divisions, including Hodder & Stoughton, Little, Brown and Orion. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-28 01:29:39 UTC ]
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In the wake of the events of January 6, will the Big Five think twice about publishing conservative authors? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-01-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Pan Macmillan's Lucy Jones give The Bookseller an insight into her role as UK sales key account executive. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2021-01-18 02:02:49 UTC ]
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Lindy West rewatches mediocre Hollywood blockbusters and, surprise, finds them lacking. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-12-04 13:00:00 UTC ]
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Sphere has won British journalist Celia Walden's "fiercely intelligent" thriller Payday at auction, in a "competitive" six-figure deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-12-01 22:05:28 UTC ]
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BBC Audio will release the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Sleeper and the Spindle as a digital download in January 2021, with an exclusive introduction from the author. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-30 14:33:55 UTC ]
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William Collins has won a five-way auction for a feminist exposé of the economy by journalist Katrine Marçal. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-19 00:41:42 UTC ]
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Macmillan Children’s Books has acquired two illustrated middle-grade fiction titles by debut author Radiya Hafiza. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-12 03:46:46 UTC ]
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In 1615, a sensational public murder trail took place in London. The victim, courtier and poet Sir Thomas Overbury, had died in 1613 while a prisoner in the Tower of London, but his death was only investigated two years later as wild rumours swirled around the court of James I. The whispers... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-11-10 17:39:33 UTC ]
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Hachette Children's Group is to publish two books in a "funny, feminist, witchy" YA series from debut author Julia Tuffs. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-30 01:58:02 UTC ]
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The seventh annual Academy of British Cover Design awards, known as the ABCDs, is this year being announced virtually, in lieu of hosting a physical event. Two winners are announced each day this week (commencing 19th October) by the organisation’s Twitter account and Instagram feed. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-10-23 08:58:10 UTC ]
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Placing boundaries on your screen time will help you get back to business after touching your technology too much. For some of us, social media and digital content have been our saving graces during the pandemic—a critical way to stay in the know, keep connected, and maintain relationships. But... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2020-10-07 08:00:20 UTC ]
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Zaffre will publish Reputation, the debut novel by YouTuber Lex Croucher, in July 2021. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-09-22 21:16:13 UTC ]
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Lucy Pearse is to join Simon & Schuster Children's as editorial director for fiction this autumn. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-09-02 03:18:25 UTC ]
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Virago has acquired Chouette, a modern-day fable by US writer Claire Oshetsky which draws on her own experiences as a mother to non-conforming children. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-08-20 23:57:41 UTC ]
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