Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Illustrator) "July 6th 1895. Narna wuldnt bleive me..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This perennial bestseller never loses its charm. It really happened-a hoax perpetrated by two girls who claimed to have photographed actual "fairies"; among the people caught up in the popular hysteria were Arthur Conan Doyle (who fell for it) and Harry Houdini (who did not). This remarkable parody, written by a former member of the Monty Python troupe, takes a riotously witty, visually extraordinary, and wildly original look at what went on. In every respect, this "handwritten diary" captures the look of the age-though the fairies, it is true, do sometimes have a more malevolent aspect than one might expect...
A fresh-and funny-take on the true story that inspired two movies.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble Bookstores (August 1998)
• ISBN-10: 0760711062
• ISBN-13: 978-0760711064
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,941,918 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faeries Beware!, September 1, 2000

By	MistressOfDoom (California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book (Hardcover)

Brian Froud is my favorite fantasy illustrator to start with. I fell in love with his book 'Faeries' back in the 70's...I am very fond of the work of his co-illustrator on that project, Alan Lee, as well. But pair Brian's brilliant art with the writing of ex Monty Pythoner Terry Jones and the result is a hilarious book that actually had me laughing out loud. Brian's lovely watercolors of shocked looking faeries (I was lucky enough to see some of his original work for the following book "Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells" this summer) pressed between the pages of the spirited Miss Cottington's journal like hapless wildflowers is just too much...and the Lady's description of the events leading up to each...er...pressing make for a thoroughly enjoyable romp. While definately not for small kids, I recommend it to anyone with a slightly grim sense of humor and a love of fantasy.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Wings are all soggy with Milk !, May 8, 2002

By	Cabir Davis - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book (Hardcover)

This book is perhaps the most twisted journal out there. I remember discovering it years ago and had forgotten about it since then, only to be redirected to it recently whilst perusing Brian Froud's website. Contrary to what many people think, I do think that this is a book for both adults and children alike, and though there is definitely some adult subject matter, its not something that should keep you from sharing it with your offspring.

The book is a reproduction of a journal kept by Angelica Cottington. Angelica can see fairies, and while she is at first surprised by their presence, she wastes no time in whisking out a journal and trapping fairies within the pages. These 'pressed fairies' are the book's centerpiece. While this may seem a cruel thing to many, Angelica does not seem to feel much remorse until much later in her life, but after a horrendous spell of being teased and mocked by goblins, she takes to pressing fairies with a vengeance once again. This is all positively delightful.

Angelica is obviously thought of as a retarded little specimen by her family and friends, but this only gives her a certain warped magnetism. Indeed, throughout the book, it is clear that a large number of men are interested in Angelica - these portions are rather graphic in their suggestiveness, and things are left open-ended. It is not clear if Angelica is molested or abused by these people, but the way she flees England for Italy due to one particularly painful encounter is hint enough that theres more going on that we aren't told about.

As is with every Froud book, the art is spectacular. The fairies we are told, aren't really 'pressed'. Even though they are momentarily captured, they have a way of leaving their psychic impressions behind on paper. So while you do see pictures of fairies in pain at being stamped on paper, be sure that they have managed to escape. However, what is more intriguing, is that Angelica never did understand this concept. The fairies themselves attempt to tell her, but she doesn't get it. After she passed away, the makers of the book finally announced that the fairies were actually extremely interested in being pressed, as Angelica had unwittingly started a new sport in the fairy community.

The version of the book on sale here is the hardcover edition, and is not either the Turner edition nor the Barnes and Noble edition. I have found that of all the subsequent reprintings, the original Turner edition and its second reprint, have the best colors and printing. There is also a paperback version, and a new small-sized version available. Personally, I think that the best way to enjoy the book is in this oversized hardcover version.

There were two sequels to this book, though they are long out of print. Online stores in Britain still carry them, though. One is the 'Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Journal', which was a diary that you could maintain, with blank pages to fill in, consisting of art on the side from the original Pressed Fairy Book. There is also the 'Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells' book which is written by Angelica's brother Quentin. This book deals, in a very scientific manner, with the stains that fairies leave behind when they are pressed. People have said that this book is rather gross and dependant on 'toilet humor' and that it lacks the delicacy of the original.

I certainly do love books of this sort. They are revolutionary because they break new ground in terms of creativity. And while there are numerous books of this sort now in the market, I think its rather obvious that none hold a candle to the beauty, charm, and wit of 'Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book'.

If you enjoyed this, you would also enjoy 'The Faeries' Oracle' by Jessica Macbeth and Brian Froud. For more information on Lady Cottington and to make a buying decision, please visit [URL]

Highly recommended.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Uproarious read, not for the faint hearted., April 12, 2001

By	A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book (Hardcover)

This book is absolutely hysterical, and is well worth the short time it takes to read. It spans the lifetime, (from a girl the age of 6) of Lady Cottington, the infamous child in the much speculated and debated fairy photo from the early 1900's that essentially started the 'fairy craze.' However, this book gives Lady Cottingtons life, and antics a very mobid, yet extrememly entertaining twist. It has become a wicked habit of hers, capturing (Slamming!) the trusting fairies that visit her in her fairy book, and keeping them. The book reads like a diary, and is handwritten, spanning early childhood to later years in her life, and details the many events,and prediciments her ability to see fairy's has gotten her into. The story itself is undeniably sharp, creative and even a bit sexual. For anyone who loves a brief outrageous read, mixing real history with fantastical elements, this book is for you!