Review: The Princess and the Prick - Walburga Appleseed

Review: The Princess and the Prick - Fairytales for Feminists - Walburga Appleseed - October 2020

When The Princess and the Prick by Walburga Appleseed arrived as a birthday gift, I practically squealed with delight. Having devoured Divine Dicks and Mortal Pricks, I knew I was in for a treat, and this feminist humour book for adults did not disappoint.

From the very first page, Appleseed takes a wrecking ball to the fairy tales we grew up with, exposing the deeply problematic gender dynamics lurking beneath their sugary surfaces. The opening story sets the tone perfectly: a prince asking if he may kiss Sleeping Beauty, not waiting for an answer because she's unconscious, and kissing her anyway. It's simultaneously hilarious and horrifying , a masterclass in how consent violations were normalized in stories we fed to children for generations.

 Each page feels like a gut-punch of recognition as you realize just how much casual sexism was baked into these "innocent" childhood tales. The heroines finally get their say, and let me tell you, they have opinions.

Reading through these reimagined classics feels like having a wine-fueled conversation with your funniest, most politically aware friend who's had enough of patriarchal nonsense. The humor is biting without being preachy, accessible without dumbing down its feminist critique. It's the perfect gift book , substantial enough to mean something, funny enough to share at parties, and beautifully presented enough to display on your coffee table.

What I appreciate most is how Appleseed makes you laugh while simultaneously making you think. You'll never look at these stories the same way again. Those "romantic" princes? Creepy boundary-crossers. Those "saved" princesses? Capable women robbed of their agency. The book doesn't just point out problems , it reclaims these narratives entirely.

If you enjoyed the sharp wit of Ladybird books for adults or appreciate feminist retellings, The Princess and the Prick is essential reading. It's cathartic, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny. Perfect for anyone who grew up on fairy tales and later wondered why all those heroines needed rescuing. This book is the rescuing they actually deserved from terrible storytelling.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pnOn5F