I absolutely adore fairy tales, the darker the better, and one of my favourites is Little Red Riding Hood or sometimes known as Little Red Cap. It is French in origin and dates back to the 10th century. Of course it would have been told orally and over the centuries each story teller would have embellished the tale with each and every telling.
Illustration by Gustave Dore (1883)
The earliest known printed version was called Le Petit Chaperon Rouge by Charles Perrault. This is a very moralistic tale where the hapless Miss Hood naively gives the wiley wolf directions to her Grandmama’s house. He arrives before the girl, devours Grandmama then, after donning the old lady’s clothes, gets into bed and invites Little Red Riding Hood to join him. After pointing out all his distinguishing features, yet still failing to notice his wolfish good looks, Miss Hood follows the fate of her dear Grandmama and is gobbled up by the beast. There is no happy ending.
Little Red Riding Hood by one of my favourite artists Carl Larsson (1881)
Of course the Brothers Grimm version cleaned things up a bit and introduced a woodcutter who saved both Granny and Little Red Riding Hood. There is of course no happy ending for the wolf. But my favourite adaptation is The Company of Wolves by Angela Carter. Taken from her book of short stories, The Bloody Chamber, it tells the dark and savage tale of a werewolf who charms a young virgin walking through the woods to her Granny’s house. As in the original story he tricks her into telling him the location of the cottage then races ahead. Poor Granny is devoured and he lies in wait for the girl. However, on entering the house she spies a tuft of white hair burning in the fireplace.
When the girl saw that she knew she was in danger of death. “Where is my Grandmother?” “There’s nobody here but we two, my darling” Now a great howling rose up all around them…the howling of a multitude of wolves….”These are the voices of my brothers darling; I love the company of wolves.”
Carter’s story is inspired by the very early versions of the tale and her young woman triumphs over the wolf.
There must be as many illustrations for this story as there are versions of the tale itself. So I thought I would add to them.
My Little Red Riding Hood
What big eyes you have.
Faery Tale Friday; Little Red Cap
Do you have a favourite version of Little Red Riding Hood?
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I enjoyed this post very much because I thought the story originated with the Brothers Grim. I actually laughed out loud at the thought of the Brothers Grimm cleaning a story up. I am sure you will understand why. I love your illustrations. My son isn’t home at the moment but as soon as he gets in I will be sharing this with him. We both love to read about the origin of stories. 🙂
I love discovering the origins of stories or sayings. The Brothers Grimm altered most tales until they were quite a sanitised version of the original. More examples to come.
I wasn’t aware of The French ancestory – thanks
Mais oui!
D’accord!
I studied The Bloody Chamber at A Level and it too is my favourite retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood story. The rest of the stories in it are amazing too, one of my faves being The Tiger’s Bride which many in my class despised. Also, your illustrations are beautiful, Cathy,
Aw, thanks Ben. Yes, The Bloody Chamber is a wonderful collection of stories. I think short stories are much maligned. I love ’em.
Lovely……
Thank you Rosie.
Wonderful final illustration of yours ^___^
Aw, thanks.
I’d have to say the Bros. Grimm version is by far my favorite.
It certainly has the happiest ending…..for Granny and Red.
I love your walk through of the tale and how you highlight different versions! I love learning about the origins, as so many fairy tales have been “cleaned up” by current versions and its interesting to trace their lineage and what the implications of these recreations has been. I’m currently reading a Little Red inspired book so this was a perfect background to go into it with!
Yes, the Marissa Meyer series. I really want to read those. One of my favourite novels is Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan a dark retelling of Snow white, Rose Red. And I’ve just finished Tinder by Sally Gardner another wonderfully powerful reimagining of a fairy tale, The Tinder Box.
and you added to them brilliantly ..
Thank you.