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Reading Options

I loved looking through all the options available in the UnTextbook! I actually think I will read more stories than required when I have extra time or after the semester is over. Looking through all the possible units, it was difficult to pick out just a couple that I was particularly intrigued by.

Italian Tales stood out to me immediately as I began looking at the list of units. I am currently taking an Italian Lit and Culture class (where we are reading Dante's Inferno and Decameron!) and I always love learning a bit more about Italian culture. In my Italian class, we examine how Italian literature has influenced Italian culture, so I think reading Italian folktales and fairy tales can give me better insight into how current Italian culture has been affected by these stories.

I also think the Turkish Fairy Tales look interesting. If I do read these, I think I would like to read the facsimile book online to be able to see the accompanying illustrations. I think the illustrations can add to the story and give it meaning that would not be there without them. My dad was in the military and had assignments in Turkey, so he has spent quite a bit of time there. He has talked about Turkish culture, and I would like to visit Turkey one day. Reading these stories seems like a good introduction into Turkish culture.

I am intrigued by the Russian Folktales because of the description of these stories. Particularly, I think the story that includes "the days of the week as supernatural characters" sounds very interesting. I appreciate that Ralston has tried to keep as much of the meaning of the original tales in the translation. I have found that stories often lose their original meaning during translation, so knowing the story you are reading is meant as it was originally intended is refreshing.
Titans and giants, including Ephialtes on the left, in Doré's illustrations. Source: Wikipedia

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