 |  | | | Cinderella | 26 Dec 2005 | | |
A look at the story's origin and the effects it has on modern society?
It's estimated there are over one and a half thousand versions of the basic story of Cinderella that have been recorded around the world. In folklore circles it's known as tale 510A, but for many it is the tale of all fairy tales.
The first recorded version comes from China in the middle of ninth century. Woman's Hour resurrects the true spirit of the old ash girl, and asks why the version from the 17th Century French Court seems to have eclipsed all the others. And since we're now more likely to grab our prince - if we can find one - than wait for him, what relevance does Cinderella have for women around the world today?
Jenni is joined by Adeline Yen Mah, author of the international best seller Falling Leaves, which she then adapted into a children's book called Chinese Cinderella, Dr Margaret Reynolds, Reader in English at Queen Marys at the University of London and Andrew Samuels, professor of Psychology at Essex University and a Jungian analyst.
Chinese Cinderella: The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah, published by Puffin - ISBN: 0141304871
Falling Leaves Return to Their Roots: The True Story of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah, published by Penguin Books Ltd - ISBN:0140287809
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