Women's talk was therefore discouraged by men and gossips denigrated. Not all the progressions are as straightforward as this and some of the links Warner makes as she traces the history of fairy tales are surprising, but she is scrupulous in documenting and illustrating all her points. Too scrupulous, at times, for the casual reader, who would be better advised to dip into the book for details wherever the illustrations catch their attention. But those who enjoy a deeper and more challenging exploration will appreciate Warner's care, and this book is a superb resource for scholars in a wide range of fields. You will have to buy the book to find out if you were right.
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