Reading Groups

In Short: The Legacy of "Little Red Riding Hood" with Amanda Hollander

$35

1 Session

Out of stock

Thursday, 6:30 pm EDT - 8:00 pm EDT March 5, 2026

Online via Zoom

Charles Dickens, who grew up on fairy tales, wrote, “‘Little Red Riding Hood’ was my first love. I felt that if I could have married ‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ I should have known perfect bliss.”

The tale of a young girl headed to her grandmother’s house has had many variations over hundreds of years. One of the earliest European versions is a French variant in which Little Red Cap engages in cannibalism—a far cry from the much gentler Perrault version that came later. The Grimm brothers offered their own Germanic version, and Angela Carter a bloody take on the iconic story. “Little Red Riding Hood” continues to horrify and delight as it warns of the dangers of dark woods, the vulnerability of girls, and the ingenuity of some versions of the main character as opposed to her helplessness in others.

Together, we will consider the incredible influence of this fairy tale in contemporary culture for its portrayals of adventure, didacticism, and the young girl at its heart who sees more than one path through the woods.

What to read in advance: Four versions of the tale, written by the Brothers Grimm, Perrault, Angela Carter, and an older unattributed version. Links will be sent upon registration.

What to expect from this reading group: Seminar-style structure with an emphasis on discussion, and supplemental information and history provided by the instructor as helpful.

Please note: All virtual classes are recorded. Please click here for information about our recording policy.

Led by

Amanda Hollander

Amanda Hollander

A writer and opera librettist, Amanda Hollander holds a doctorate in Victorian and children’s literature from UCLA. She recently completed a fellowship with the American Opera Project. She has published several works of speculative short fiction and academic articles and was a 2024 fellow at the Huntington Library. You can find more about her upcoming projects at amandahollander.com.

About this series

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