Feet on the Pillow and Other Ukrainian Folk Tales Retold in English, Vol. 8

Tatiana Nazarenko is an assistant professor of Slavic studies at the
University of Manitoba and program co-ordinator of Central and East
European Studies.

This eighth volume of Danny Evanishen’s Ukrainian folk tales features
three stories about a fool: one becomes a hero (“How Foolish Ivan
Married the Princess”), another becomes a courageous and inventive
soldier who cheats Death (“The Soldier and Death”), and another
becomes a king who barters his responsibilities for the life of a free
hunter (“The Falcon Hunter and the King”). The book also includes
“Cossak Mamaryn,” an adaptation of the original Slavic animal tales
“The Ox, the Ram and the Rooster” and “The Sheep and the Fox,”
and “The Devil Serpent,” a story that exists in both Russian and
Ukrainian folklore. Three stories in the collection are morality tales
(“The Devil at the Wedding,” “Gossip,” “An Old Man and a
Stone”); two more works—“Over the Fence” and “Garlic”—mock
human folly; and the title story, “Feet on the Pillow,” praises
resourcefulness and quick wits.

The tales are retold simply and intelligibly. A Notes on the Tales
section provides brief commentary about the folk tales and credits those
who recounted them to Evanishen. This fine collection will be
appreciated by both Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians alike for its
interesting and culturally enriching material. Recommended.