Once upon a Place : Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film

Once Upon a Place explores narratives from modern film, famous fairy tales, and ancient mythology to define the five core locations that shape every story: the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest, and the Labyrinth.

Popularized by Joseph Campbell, the hero's journey features narrative stages along which a person matures and transforms. But where heroes transform is just as important as what they do to get there. Holly Bellebuono shows you how the location of each hero's journey step is intimately tied to the challenges faced, setting the tone for the entire adventure.

To illustrate each location, Bellebuono shares fifteen original adaptations―such as the tales of Persephone, Gilgamesh, Cerridwen, and Alice―to explore how the "sense of place" drives the adventure and outcome. From Innana's descent into the Cavern to Snow White entering the Forest, this book offers powerful wisdom about personal growth, life's purpose, and the origins of creativity.

Holly Bellebuono (Massachusetts) is an entrepreneur and herbalist of 30 years. Through courses, workshops, and retreats, she guides people to think creatively about success, business, healing, and purpose. Visit her at HollyBellebuono.com.

Jack Zipes is a literary scholar and author. He is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of German, Nordic, Slavic, and Dutch at the University of Minnesota. He is known for his work on fairy tales, folklore, critical theory, 20th century literature, German literature, German Jewish culture and the political and cultural significance of the Brothers Grimm tales. He has authored, co-authored and edited 69 books. Among his honors are the Guggenheim Fellowship, the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts Distinguished Scholar Award, and the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship. Zipes is also a Fellow of the American Folklore Society and the International Research Society for Children's Literature (IRSCL).