This first paperback edition of the seminal work by the Swiss scholar Max Luthi will be welcomed by folklorists for its informative survey of the various ways in which fairytales and related genres (local legends and saints lives) may be read.

"Luthi s lucid and intelligent book is refreshingly welcome." Sewanee Review

"

The mysterious sixth entry in the Hangman's Daughter series

It is 1670 and Simon Fronwieser is in the town of Oberammergau to bring his seven-year-old son to boarding school. As he bids his boy a tearful farewell, news comes of a shocking murder: the man who was to play the part of Christ in the town's Passion Play has been found dead, nailed to the set's cross. As there is no doctor in town, Simon is brought in to examine the body. The chance to spend more time with his son and to investigate the murder quickly convince him to stay. Soon he is joined by his father-in-law,...