Dissecting Dragons

Despite discussing folktales and fairy stories regularly and at length, the dragons haven't really touched on 'modern' original fairy tales. That is books or stories written using fairy tale story modes but often set in contemporary or even futuristic settings. Contrasting the contemporary with the traditional fairy tale really highlights how steeped the both are in the politics and morality of the time, whilst still capturing that timelessness of themes. This week Jules and Madeleine take a look at a selection of case studies including Elizabeth von Arnem's The Enchanted April, Elizabeth Goudge's The Little White Horse and George Orwell's Animal Farm.   Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic