Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film
Once Upon a Place explores narratives from modern film, famous fairy tales, and ancient mythology to define the five core locations that shape every story: the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest, and the Labyrinth.

Popularized by Joseph Campbell, the hero's journey features narrative stages along which a person matures and transforms. But where heroes transform is just as important as what they do to get there. Holly Bellebuono shows you how the location of each hero's journey step is intimately tied to the challenges faced, setting the tone for the entire adventure.

To illustrate each location, Bellebuono shares fifteen original adaptations—such as the tales of Persephone, Gilgamesh, Cerridwen, and Alice—to explore how the "sense of place" drives the adventure and outcome. From Innana's descent into the Cavern to Snow White entering the Forest, this book offers powerful wisdom about personal growth, life's purpose, and the origins of creativity.
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Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film
Once Upon a Place explores narratives from modern film, famous fairy tales, and ancient mythology to define the five core locations that shape every story: the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest, and the Labyrinth.

Popularized by Joseph Campbell, the hero's journey features narrative stages along which a person matures and transforms. But where heroes transform is just as important as what they do to get there. Holly Bellebuono shows you how the location of each hero's journey step is intimately tied to the challenges faced, setting the tone for the entire adventure.

To illustrate each location, Bellebuono shares fifteen original adaptations—such as the tales of Persephone, Gilgamesh, Cerridwen, and Alice—to explore how the "sense of place" drives the adventure and outcome. From Innana's descent into the Cavern to Snow White entering the Forest, this book offers powerful wisdom about personal growth, life's purpose, and the origins of creativity.
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Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film

Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film

Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film

Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film

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Overview

Once Upon a Place explores narratives from modern film, famous fairy tales, and ancient mythology to define the five core locations that shape every story: the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest, and the Labyrinth.

Popularized by Joseph Campbell, the hero's journey features narrative stages along which a person matures and transforms. But where heroes transform is just as important as what they do to get there. Holly Bellebuono shows you how the location of each hero's journey step is intimately tied to the challenges faced, setting the tone for the entire adventure.

To illustrate each location, Bellebuono shares fifteen original adaptations—such as the tales of Persephone, Gilgamesh, Cerridwen, and Alice—to explore how the "sense of place" drives the adventure and outcome. From Innana's descent into the Cavern to Snow White entering the Forest, this book offers powerful wisdom about personal growth, life's purpose, and the origins of creativity.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9798228615960
Publisher: Tantor
Publication date: 09/16/2025
Product dimensions: 5.20(w) x 5.70(h) x (d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

April Doty is a classically trained actress with a BFA in acting from Syracuse University. Born in Virginia, seasoned in London, and settled in Spain, April Doty brings the sound of a rich and varied life experience to her narration. April's voice is lively and engaging; she brings colorful, believable characters to life in a variety of genres, but especially YA, mystery and suspense, LGBT, and literary fiction. April works from her home studio on Spain's Costa del Sol. When she isn't narrating, she's writing, singing, or hiking in the mountains with her partner, Sarah.

Jack Zipes is a preeminent fairy tale scholar who has written, translated, or edited dozens of books, including The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. He is a professor emeritus of German and comparative literature at the University of Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Contents

Story Adaptations from Around the World xv

Foreword: Exploring the Deep Meaning of Storytelling xvii

Introduction: There's More to the Story Than You Know: Myth, Fairy Tale, and Film 1

Part I: The Three Core Concepts Essential to Every Journey
Chapter 1: Descent and Resurrection 15
Chapter 2: Chaos and Void 25
Chapter 3: The Beast and the Guide 35

Part II: The Locations of the World Journey
Chapter 4: The Cavern: Descending to Find Change 61
Chapter 5: The Deep: Into and Across Water 81
Chapter 6: The Vessel: Resurrection, Reflection, and Rebirth 103
Chapter 7: The Forest: Creative Expression and Potential 121
Chapter 8: The Labyrinth: Tangled Webs of Time and Truth 143

Epilogue: Failure and Success on the World Journey 159

Book Group Resource 167

Films and Books Referenced 171

Bibliography 173

Index 181

About the Author 187

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