"Kissing the Witch" is a collection of thirteen interconnected fairy tale retellings written by Emma Donoghue. Published in 1997, the book presents a fresh and feminist perspective on familiar tales. Each story follows a young woman grappling with complex emotions and navigating societal expectations. The tales beautifully blend elements of fantasy, horror, and romance, offering an alternative narrative to the traditional fairy tales that often portray women as passive characters waiting for a prince to save them. In "Kissing the Witch," the women take center stage, with their desires, fears, and agency at the forefront. Donoghue weaves the tales together by linking a character from each story to the next.
The “1… 2… 3” are the warnings the child receives before being put in a time-out.
The time is calculated as one minute per year of the child s age so a 3-year-old would get a 3-minute time out and an 8-year-old would get an 8-minute time out. 1-2-3 Magic is a parenting book that primarily focuses on behavioral approaches, rather than attachment relational approaches, for getting kids to stop negative behaviors and start positive ones.
Donoghue weaves the tales together by linking a character from each story to the next. This creates a continuous thread throughout the collection, allowing readers to witness the different events unfold from different perspectives. This narrative technique emphasizes the interconnectedness of these women's lives and experiences.
What’s Wrong with 1, 2, 3…Magic?
I have used this technique myself because the book was given to me by one of my supervisors at my social work field placement back in 2008.
This is the book they gave to all the young moms who needed help with parenting.
The basic premise is this: kids need to know the rules and need to know what to expect when they break the rules. They need consistent boundaries and predictable consequences. The predictable consequence, in this case, is a time-out. The “time” is calculated as one minute per year of the child’s age (so a 3-year-old would get a 3-minute time out and an 8-year-old would get an 8-minute time out.)
The “1… 2… 3” are the warnings the child receives before being put in a time-out.
The parent is instructed to do this in a calm, emotionally neutral way. All business. Matter-of-fact. And the child is supposed to learn that if they “misbehave,” there will be the same consequence every time.
Let’s unpack what’s wrong with this approach.
While I appreciate the attempt to modernize the “I’m going to count to three” approach that many of us were raised with (often having no idea what would happen when mom got to “3” – often nothing, but sometimes something much worse than a time-out), 1, 2, 3…Magic is still, at its core, a punishment technique.
Throughout the collection, Donoghue explores themes of identity, desire, power, and agency. The stories challenge traditional gender roles and expectations, offering examples of women who demand autonomy and agency over their own lives. The characters question societal norms and defy the limitations imposed upon them, making choices that challenge their fate and destinies. Donoghue's prose is poetic and evocative, refusing to shy away from darker elements and showcasing the complexities of human emotion. She highlights the often-perceived negative aspects of femininity, such as anger, jealousy, and desire, allowing her characters to fully embrace and express these emotions without judgment. "Kissing the Witch" is an empowering and refreshing collection that deconstructs the traditional fairy tale narrative, giving voice to women who have historically been silenced or marginalized. It invites readers to reimagine these stories and recognize the power of their own voices and choices. The tales linger in the mind long after reading, encouraging readers to question societal expectations and embrace their own agency..
Reviews for "Between Worlds: Exploring the Magical Realms Through Kissing the Witch"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Kissing the Witch". The stories felt disconnected and confusing, with no clear thread to tie them together. I found myself struggling to stay engaged and interested in the narratives, as they lacked depth and substance. The writing style was also not to my liking, as it felt overly simplistic and lacking in nuance. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted collection of fairytales.
2. Michael - 1 star - "Kissing the Witch" was a major letdown for me. The retelling of classic fairytales seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The stories lacked originality and failed to add any new perspectives or insights. I was hoping for a fresh take on the tales I grew up with, but instead, I was left feeling bored and unimpressed. The book also felt disjointed, with no cohesive theme or narrative to tie it together. I would advise readers to look elsewhere for a more satisfying and engaging collection of fairytale retellings.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Kissing the Witch" to be underwhelming. The stories lacked depth and failed to capture my imagination. The language used was simple and uninspiring, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the narratives. The book also didn't provide any unique perspectives or interpretations of the fairytales it retells. While it may appeal to a younger audience or those new to fairytales, I believe there are much better options available for enthusiasts of the genre. Overall, I was disappointed by this collection and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.