Books › An Encyclopedia of Fairies
An Encyclopedia of Fairies
481 pages
A scholarly, centuries-spanning exploration of supernatural creatures, legends, and folklore motifs.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like wandering through a vast, meticulously curated archive of the supernatural. The pace is inherently meandering, inviting readers to dip in and out of entries spanning ten centuries of lore. Rather than a traditional narrative, the experience is built on a scholarly yet enchanting foundation of legends, personal encounters, and comparative storytelling. The prose is analytical and informative, carefully categorizing motifs and types of creatures primarily from the British Isles. It is an atmospheric and deeply curious text that immerses the reader in the historical roots of myth. This comprehensive tome will delight folklore enthusiasts, researchers, and anyone fascinated by the intricate, interconnected web of supernatural tales and the cultural history behind them.
- Mood
- curious
- historical
- enchanting
- atmospheric
- Tone
- scholarly
- informative
- analytical
- folkloric
- Pace
- meandering
- Themes
- folklore and mythology · supernatural encounters · comparative storytelling · cultural history
- The writing
- Encyclopedic and analytical, presenting tales, legends, and personal accounts with clear, scholarly precision.
- The arc
- The reader's journey is one of expanding curiosity, moving from isolated definitions to a rich, interconnected understanding of centuries-old lore.
- Who it's for
- Folklore enthusiasts and researchers who delight in tracing the origins and motifs of supernatural creatures across the British Isles.
About the book
This book lists entries about fairies and other supernatural creatures, and terms, phrases and tales associated with them. Many fairy stories are related and then examined, though they are not necessarily in the format of traditional "fairy tales." Some are related as legends, while others are a recounting of personal experiences with the supernatural.
The book also has an index to motifs and types, so the reader may compare similar kinds of stories or creatures. This large tome spans ten centuries. The creatures covered therein are mostly those associated with the British Isles, but a few "foreign fairies" are mentioned in passing, especially for comparison.
For more expansive (though not complete) coverage of fairies throughout the world, the author made mention of Thomas Keightley's "The Fairy Mythology."
Description from Open Library.
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