Kissing the witch is a collection of thirteen feminist fairy tales written in 1997 by Emma Donoghue. The book reimagines classic tales from a feminist perspective, challenging the traditional gender roles and power dynamics found in traditional fairy tales. Donoghue's stories examine themes such as agency, identity, and the bonds between women. In "Kissing the Witch," Donoghue retells familiar stories such as "Snow White," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Cinderella," among others. However, she adds a twist to each tale, subverting the traditional narrative and giving voice to the female characters. The stories explore the experiences and desires of these women, delving into their motivations and experiences beyond their traditional roles of damsels in distress.
Zamrock was born in the ’70s in Southern Africa. Merging hard rock, psychedelia and funk, this Zambian genre was influenced by artists as diverse as Black Sabbath, James Brown and The Rolling Stones. WITCH – which stood for “We Intend To Cause Havoc” – was one of the scene’s major bands, and its approach varied over the course of its existence. This album is the second of the band’s two self-produced releases. A midtempo chug carries “The Only Way,” where vocalist “Jagari” Chanda brings some garage-band edge to his vocals. “Mashed Potato,” an appealing mix of low-key James Brown stylings and rock ‘n’ roll, wraps things up.
While I m not a fan of the final two albums I ve never really taken to disco or modern soul , I have to say that they managed to stay consistent, while still offering a somewhat unique experience across each album. Ironically, while it s probable some historical witches used witchcraft for evil purposes, many may have embraced it for healing or protection against the immorality they were accused of.
The stories explore the experiences and desires of these women, delving into their motivations and experiences beyond their traditional roles of damsels in distress. By highlighting the struggles and triumphs of female characters, Donoghue challenges gender norms and encourages readers to question the traditional fairy tale tropes that often perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Each story in the collection explores different aspects of womanhood, from the complexities of sisterhood to the longing for freedom and autonomy.
Introduction and In The Past
Zamrock was born in the '70s in southern Africa. Merging hard rock, psychedelia, and funk, this Zambian genre was influenced by artists as diverse as Black Sabbath, James Brown, and The Rolling Stones. Witch—which stood for We Intend To Cause Havoc—was one of the scene's major bands, and its approach varied over the course of its existence. This album includes its first two self-produced releases, Introduction and In the Past. The opening title track finds vocalist “Jagari” Chanda introducing the band over a churning garage-rock groove decked out with organ riffs; the group turns this standard trope into an exciting track. Check out the funky rock ‘n’ roll drums and rhythm guitar on “That’s What I Want,” a cut that also features a delightfully dirty guitar solo. (The lead playing is a wonder throughout). “No Time” has an itchy guitar riff, nasty lead work, and tense, propulsive bass. A midtempo chug carries “The Only Way,” where Chandar brings some garage-band edge to his vocals. “Mashed Potato,” an appealing mix of low-key James Brown stylings and rock ‘n’ roll, wraps things up.
May 22, 2012 19 Songs, 1 hour, 14 minutes ℗ 2012 Now Again Records
Also available in the iTunes StoreThroughout the collection, Donoghue's writing is lyrical and evocative, engaging readers with her fresh take on these classic tales. She weaves in elements of magic and the supernatural while staying true to the core themes and lessons found in fairy tales. The stories are threaded together, with certain characters making appearances in multiple tales, creating a cohesive and interconnected narrative. "Kissing the Witch" is an important feminist work that challenges traditional fairy tales and reimagines them through a modern lens. Donoghue's stories provide a space for women's voices to be heard, dismantling the gendered power dynamics often present in traditional tales. Through her writing, Donoghue prompts readers to question societal norms and the portrayal of women in literature and popular culture. In conclusion, "Kissing the Witch" is a thought-provoking collection of feminist fairy tales by Emma Donoghue. Through her reimagining of familiar stories, she challenges gender norms and offers a fresh perspective on well-known narratives. This collection serves as an empowering and inspiring read for anyone interested in exploring feminist literature and the power of storytelling..
Reviews for "The Transgressive Power of "Kissing the Wutch": Breaking Taboos in Rituals"
1. Megan - 2/5 stars - I found "Kissing the Witch" to be incredibly confusing and disjointed. The stories felt like they were all over the place and I struggled to understand the connections between them. The writing style was also quite difficult to follow, with overly flowery language that distracted from the plot. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Jonathan - 1/5 stars - "Kissing the Witch" was a complete waste of time for me. I couldn't get into any of the stories and found them to be dull and uninteresting. The author's attempt at a feminist retelling of traditional fairy tales fell flat and the characters lacked depth and development. I struggled to finish the book and ultimately felt like I had wasted my money on something that I didn't enjoy at all.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to like "Kissing the Witch" as I am a fan of fairy tales and retellings, but unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. The stories felt rushed and lacked the enchantment and magic that I was expecting. Additionally, the constant switching between different characters and perspectives made it difficult to stay engaged and invested in the narrative. Overall, I was left disappointed by this collection and would not recommend it to fellow fairy tale lovers.
4. Michael - 3/5 stars - While "Kissing the Witch" had some interesting ideas and unique takes on traditional fairy tales, I felt like it missed the mark in execution. The stories had potential, but they lacked depth and the endings often felt rushed and unsatisfying. I also struggled to connect with the characters and found their voices to be inconsistent throughout the book. Although I didn't hate it, I can't say that I enjoyed reading this collection either.