Customer Reviews

The Fairies' Ring

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a gorgeous volume, flooded with rich, dreamy paintings--definitely the kind of book you could give as a gift (or would want to receive as one). Many of the illustrations are set off with gold borders, adding to the richness. All in all, it feels like a book the fairies made!

But be warned--Yolen writes of "real" fairies in this book--not the sweet, sugary wisps of Disney's invention, but the amoral beings who steal children and wives, sink ships and play tricks. The selections have a darkness to them that reflects more truly the faeries of folklore.

But even if the stories make you sad, it's worth it to melt away into the paintings and take a walk in fairyland.

i had gotten this book when i was 9, though i didnt really care much for the pictures, the stories left me feeling, kind of comfortable inside. i hope to buy this book again for mine right now is tattered, but i recommend this book to anyone, the stories and poems are sweet and clever and tje pictures, have a certain child like qualiy that i love.

This enchanting collection of fairy stories and poems, compiled by Jane Yolen, is not for young children - the fairies depicted here are not merely confined to the pleasant, charming, and sweet, but include those that can be downright nasty. Those who love stories about fairies from different cultures will delight in this collection. There are stories from Scotland ("Thomas the Rhymer"), Persia ("The Peri Wife"), England ("The Fairy Midwife"), France-Normandy ("The Fae's Changeling"), Wales ("The Fairies Banished"), and many more.

The appeal of this collection lies not only in the variety of tales contained within, but also the wildly imaginative and vivid illustrations by Stephen Mackey. There is plenty in here to delight fans of the fae folk!