Product Description
They are known as the Little People, the Beautiful Maidens, the Godmothers, the Blessed, the Ageless Ones…for it is dangerous to say the name “faeries” without good reason. Ruling over earth, air, fire, and water, they protect forests, animals, and children, and in their hands lie the dreamy souls of all creatures.
The faeries rose from the mist long, long ago, in the time of the Golden Age — well before the creation of gods and men. In their magical fancy they created the singing grasses and the reflection of springs, the music of legends and the far side of the mirror. From the Valkyries of Valhalla to the Babouchka of Russia, Banshees, Dryads, Bogey Beasts, Sirens, and their ilk populate the imaginations and the forests of every culture.
In this comprehensive celebration of the world of faery, renowned French elficologist Pierre Dubois describes the extraordinary richness of the faery kingdom, presenting dozens and dozens of lushly illustrated entries on the most powerful and enchanting denizens of this magical world. Dubois provides readers with authoritative information detailing the customs, habitat, and activities of these Little People. Faery Godmothers, we discover, were originally tall, distinguished, and rather severe; only recently have they taken up the magic wands and cheerful smiles we know them for today. We learn that the favorite foods of the Arthurian faery Viviane are the blackberries that surround Merlin’s tomb. And among the customs and activities of the Bogey Beast, the prime goal is indeed to scare little children…if only for their protection.
Dubois’s entrancing descriptions are accompanied by Roland and Claudine Sabatier’s marvelous illustrations, which depict the appearance of the faeries, the places where they are found, and their familiar objects. Without revealing any faery confidences (which must never be betrayed), Dubois and the Sabatiers have created a comprehensive and utterly enchanting survey of a magical world as old as time.
Laurent T. Wright @ 1:46 pm
This is a MUST for any true lover of the Faerie world. By this I do NOT mean the prissy Victorian idea of Faeries as twee little tinkerbell types. This is the real stuff. The Red and Black ladies, the Selkies and all the other nasty little members of the un-Seelie Court. Here you will find the good with the bad, the beautiful with the ugly. If this was a map, there would be ‘Here be Monsters’ written on it. (but then it would be too late!) If you ONLY like the Brian Froud stuff (and I do as well) then you will be dissapointed. The line drawings are perfect for this book. They give an edge. The scope is worldwide, although predominetly Eurocentric. The bibliography is enormous and the research extensive. Of course there is nudity. Faeries are nature spirits – they don’t NEED clothes.
As to the question of it being a children’s book. If you want to mollycoddle your children, then no, but if you want to teach them to be aware that appearances can be deceiving in both the real and faerie world, then go right ahead. They’ll thank you for it later (unless of course ther’re a changeling!!).
I have just returned from France and was delighted to find the out-of-print companion volume to this – “encyclopedie des Lutins” – basicallly the male-ish side (pixies, brownies, Bogeymen (my favourite). Same style. no punches pulled. The ISBN is 2905292482 (there is also a volume on Elves (available this time at Amazon.fr -its ISBN is 2842301838)
Sadly for those that don’t read french, these latter volumes haven’t been translated, but for those of you that do read it, enjoy.
jen @ 2:11 pm
If I could I would give this book 4 and a half stars. This book is great. It lists the general information dealing with many faeries including costuming, behavior, food , and habitat. Along with the general info is a little background of the story behind the particular faery. Each page is dreamily illustrated in a unique style with brilliant colorization. This book presents information in an organized, encyclopedia format without being boring or monotonous.
Anonymous @ 5:07 pm
The Author of this book is french I’d like to note first of all and as far as I know that is what the original language the book was written in. It’s very difficult to translate from one language to another as there are always “problem words” that was the only problem I saw with the way the book was written. As for the pictures of the faeries in the book I thought they were very unique and well done. As for the complaints about nudity in the book as i said before the author is french and it is way more acceptable there than here.This book does contain sexual references and gruesome descriptions but one must remember that most “fairy tales” were composed merely to scare children. Even the story of the little mermaid in its original form is a gruesome tale.This book is probably not suitable for children under 12 as some of the words in the book are fairly difficult. I personally would allow my child to read it seeing as the nudity in it is less than one would see in a 6th grade health class.
Anonymous @ 7:05 pm
This is a great book, packed full of faery and folklore information. It comes from France, so it’s got a lot of good European lore that may be new to readers familiar only with the British faery tradition. The art is whimsical and unusual, and clearly aimed at adults, not children. This one belongs on every faery-lovers shelf beside the folklore texts of Katherine Briggs, the faery art of Brian Froud, and the faery fiction of Terri Windling, Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint.
Anonymous @ 7:33 pm
This book is fabulous. The descriptions are, however, quite dificult to understand, and there are a lot of sexual references, so this is probably best for the adult faery lover. The illustrations are the best part, quite different from any other faery book. They are reminicent of illustrations from vintage children’s books, with the black outlines and vibrent colors. Each page is stunning to look at. Even if you don’t read the whole thing, it is worth buying just for the gorgeous illustrations.