The Great Cat Massacre: And Other Episodes in French Cultural History / Edition 1

A series of short stories that explains early France

I found this to be a charming and well-written book. It is based on a series of short stories that deals and illuminates the France of the late 1700 to modern readers without being pedantic. Darnton manages to write this in a humorous and entertaining way, while including historical data. It has helped me to understand French literature, culture and history. 'The Great Cat Massacre' is about how apprentices weren't treated very well, while the Madam had pampered cats. The apprentices snuck out on the roof and yowled like cats over the master's bedroom. Finally, the master told them to get rid of the cats, while he and his wife were gone. The apprentices killed lots of cats, starting with the wife's favorite. In spite of the grim subject, Darnton uses humor and lively language to explain how the apprentices were often ill-fed, and they had to watch the wife give her cats choice morsels. It also explains the strict guild rules that limited social mobility. Another chapter is the different interpretations of fairy tales by different cultures. We're all familiar with the dark German fairy tales, and I knew some French fairy tales but I wasn't aware of how their meanings had changed through cultural interpretation until I read this book. Darnton explains that the quick wit of the hero is the deciding factor in French fairy tales, while the English use magical intervention. Another chapter is on police reports about authors (trouble makers), booksellers and, even, book buyers, which made most university students suspect. I'm glad that I bought this bookbecause it has helped me to be a better reader and to think outside of the box, while being entertained.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ap World Review i thought it was interesting

When I first picked up this book I was a little skeptical about reading it. I mean I have two cats at home. So I decided to read this book and it was very interesting. This book goes into the details of many intriguing from the great cat massacre to the true origins of some of the most famous fairy tales. One thing that kept me into this book is the reasoning behind everything. When i first started to read this book I was so interested in way all of these things happened like why would anyone just hang and torture a cat. Robert Darnton does a great job in explaining these weird occurrences.

I believe that Roberts main goal of writing this book or more of a collections of essays was to inform of all the weird stuff that went on in France. Darnton did an amazing job on getting this across. Sure Ive heard of the witch trials and heard that some fairy tales had other meanings but that is it. Robert did such an amazing job informing on this topic that i was basically brand new too. I honestly do recommend this book to anyone who is curious on how these weird things happen or is just interested in learning new things. I loved this book.

zero stars if I could

This has to be the worst book that I have ever read. It presents topics that we could care less about, goes into depth on them (75 pages on French fairy tales? who cares?),and then takes sidetracks on random topics that are as equally boring as the point the author is trying to make. The book has no flow to it whatsoever it jumps around touching on multiple points but never really enlightens the reader about what the author is trying to say. If you even think about picking up this book, just don't. Save yourself the time, money, and from the mental boredom that this book will impose on you.

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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