This is an interesting piece of non-fiction tracking the use of fairy tales by political thinkers, mostly in the 19th and 20th centuries. I found myself skimming a little, but I enjoyed learning about these characters and the inspirations for their writing. I would recommend this to people comfortable with academic works, but I think it’s pretty scholarly for a lay audience.

I have finally decided to DNF this audiobook at 60% completed. I picked it up because I like both fairytales and politics and this seemed like the kind of book I loved reading when I wrote research essays. However, I had a really hard time retaining any information. I was also expecting more deep dives into the contents and ethics of the tales as well as some comparative analysis between adaptations. Maybe exploring how similar stories had opposing moral/political views or how different stories expressed similar politics. Instead, a majority of each chapter was essentially a biography of each fairytale author. Obviously, the context of their lives and political views is important for understanding their work, but I felt the stories themselves were not given equal attention and the lengthy bios were not what I was interested in.

Great narrator, very easy to listen to.



This was very interesting. Perhaps more so to me because I know a lot more about the historical and political issues surrounding fairy tales pre-1900s, so learning about those who wrote fairytales (books and films) during some of the major events of the last century (WWI & II etc) was a new perspective. It was especially interesting to learn of fairytales used as a medium to explain cultural isolation, the othering of minorities and as a sandbox for exploring ideas and different sexualities. If you're looking for the origins of well known tales like Sleeping Beauty, you won't find that here. If you're interested on the evolution of fairy tale as an agent for social change, this is a great book.

Very interesting subject matter. I could tell the author was very passionate and knowledgeable. I thought the way it was broken up made it easy to understand and enjoyable for anyone who may be interested.

The interweaving of fairytale history, lore, and storis is a great blend for those who want to know more about these stories and the iral tradition.

Thanks to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title in exchange for my review.

Overall I enjoyed listening to this book, but it was not what I had expected. From the description I had expected information about the different tales as a preview to the actual tale. But the tale is not included in the book. I still found it interesting to hear of different lore that I had not hear of before, and I intend to go through and find some of the stories to read in connection with the author's comments.

I really wanted to like this. I love folklore and fairytales so was looking forward to it. The content was interesting, but I’m afraid I just couldn’t get on with the narrator who I found stilted and nasal..

Perhaps an ebook would be better.

Thanks to NetGalley for access to this audiobook

Jack Zipes has spent decades as a “scholarly scavenger,” discovering forgotten fairy tales in libraries, flea markets, used bookstores, and internet searches, and he has introduced countless readers to these remarkable works and their authors. In Buried Treasures, Zipes describes his special passion for uncovering political fairy tales of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, offers fascinating profiles of more than a dozen of their writers and illustrators, and shows why they deserve greater attention and appreciation.

These writers and artists used their remarkable talents to confront political oppression and economic exploitation by creating alternative, imaginative worlds that test the ethics and morals of the real world and expose hidden truths. Among the figures we meet here are Édouard Laboulaye, a jurist who wrote acute fairy tales about justice; Charles Godfrey Leland, a folklorist who found other worlds in tales of Native Americans, witches, and Roma; Kurt Schwitters, an artist who wrote satirical, antiauthoritarian stories; Mariette Lydis, a painter who depicted lost-and-found souls; Lisa Tetzner, who dramatized exploitation by elites; Felix Salten, who unveiled the real meaning of Bambi’s dangerous life in the forest; and Gianni Rodari, whose work showed just how political and insightful fantasy stories can be.

Demonstrating the uncanny power of political fairy tales, Buried Treasures also shows how their fictional realities not only enrich our understanding of the world but even give us tools to help us survive.

While the information in this book was fascinating at points it wasn't enough for me to continue to be interested and I often could only listen to this in chunks, not sure if a physical book would be better than audio

Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the audiobook ARC.

I think the thing that makes Buried Treasures most enjoyable is the author's obvious passion for the subject, which is political fairy tales from all times and all corners of the world. And you can't help but feel a little bit of that passion as you listen to some truly unique and interesting stories from around the globe.

This is an interesting book about fairy tale writers and illustrators from the 19th and 20th centuries. Jack Zipes provides a brief biography for each writer and an overview of their major works and themes. Many of the authors lived through the catastrophes of one or more World War. Even so, they often used their fairy tales to provide hope for a better world. I was hoping that the book would be a collection of their actual fairy tales, but that was not the case. However, Zipes introduces the reader to many authors that the reader can investigate for themselves.

This audio version was narrated by Stephen Bowlby who has a pleasant voice to listen to.

"Buried Treasures" is a remarkable book that deserves 4 stars for its unique blend of political fairy tales and insightful learning. The stories are masterfully crafted and offer multiple interpretations that allow readers to explore complex political concepts in an engaging and thought-provoking way. The author's ability to weave together real-world issues and imaginative fairy tales is truly impressive, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in politics, storytelling, or simply looking for a fresh perspective on the world around us. Overall, "Buried Treasures" is a delightful and enlightening read that I would highly recommend to anyone.