The selection of Indian folktales is very interesting and shows what a rich vein of knowledge is stored by ordinary (and some very extraordinary) people. Highly original is the classification of tales as: Isis Panthea, Amma-I-Appan, Her-Meta, Athenas Wit, Annamangai, Sis-Tie, Woody-Woman, Vana-Devi, Tellus-Ma, Aqua-Stree, Aves-Eve and Fauna-Fem. Each of these classificatory names shows a sense of humour embedded in deep poetic and symbolic understanding of the mythic oral tradition. The author combines linguistic knowledge along with an understanding of the hidden mother lode of the story seam.
Susan Hawthorne, Adjunct Professor, James Cook University, Australia
