Laura Gonzenbach and Her Forgotten Treasure of Sicilian Fairy Tales

The largely forgotten collection of Sicilian fairy tales published by Laura Gonzenbach in 1870 is perhaps the most important collection of tales in the nineteenth century. An introduction to Gonzenbach's treasury of Sicilian tales describes the background and significance of her work, and a translation of the tale "Sorfarina" exemplifies the many tales in Gonzenbach's collection that portray resolute and clever women who take destiny into their own hands.