91桃色

Hermynia Zur M眉hlen (1883鈥�1951), one of the twentieth century鈥檚 great political writers, was not seemingly destined for a revolutionary, unconventional literary career. Born in Vienna to an aristocratic Catholic family, Zur M眉hlen married an Estonian count. But she rebelled, leaving her upper-class life to be with the Hungarian writer and Communist Stefan Klein, and supporting herself through translations and publications. Altogether, Zur M眉hlen wrote thirty novels, mysteries, and story collections, and translated around 150 works, including those of Upton Sinclair, John Galsworthy, and Edna Ferber. A wonderful new addition to the Oddly Modern Fairy Tales series, The Castle of Truth and Other Revolutionary Tales presents English readers with a selection of Zur M眉hlen鈥檚 best political fairy tales, some translated from German for the first time.

In contrast to the classical tales of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, Zur M眉hlen鈥檚 candid, forthright stories focus on social justice and the plight of the working class, with innovative plots intended to raise the political consciousness of readers young and old. For example, in 鈥淭he Glasses,鈥� readers are encouraged to rip off the glasses that deceive them, while in 鈥淭he Carriage Horse,鈥� horses organize a union to resist their working and living conditions. In 鈥淭he Broom,鈥� a young worker learns how to sweep away injustice.

With an informative introduction by Jack Zipes and period illustrations by George Grosz, John Heartfield, Heinrich Vogeler, and Karl Holtz, The Castle of Truth and Other Revolutionary Tales revives the legacy of a notable female artist whose literary and political work remains relevant in our own time.