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Enchanted by Shadows: How ‘Jorinde and Joringel’ redefines the Villain
The dark allure of a story where ‘fair is foul and foul is fair’
Parents reading stories-to many of us, that’s a cherished childhood memory. Think lights dimmed, a favourite stuffed animal nestled in your arms (mine was a teddy named ‘Brummi’ bear-the humming/growling bear. I know, I know! Blame my age…), avidly waiting for your mother or father to bring fantastical worlds full of enigmatic wizards, beautiful princesses and clever children to life that would eventually lull you to sleep. It’s a priceless gift, particularly in memory. And one that I’ve enjoyed myself, though perhaps not in the traditional way. I remember my father telling me and my sister real life horror stories of an Indian outlaw who lived in the forest (like Robin Hood) and sold elephant tusks for money (more like the Sheriff of Nottingham) and I remember my mother retelling Bible stories (Book of Tobit) to us.
In some ways, I regretted the fact that story time wasn’t more of a fixture in our home but I grew to appreciate the freedom to roam freely, in a literary sense. Because, for all that my parents didn’t have the time or wherewithal to treat us to regular recitals, they never stinted on books. Writing this piece, I’m fondly reminded of a pale yellow hardback, spine covered in brown…
