The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For hundreds of years, fairies have enchanted imaginations, inspired awe and fear, and left in their wake a treasure trove of wonderful stories. Legends of fairy creatures--ranging from tiny winged sprites to giants to elves to brownies to tree spirits--can be found in every corner of the world. Filled with hundreds of exquisite illustrations, this comprehensive directory provides a global, multi-ethnic, multicultural overview of fairies. Nearly 3,000 entries, arranged alphabetically offer glimpses into other worlds and times. There are items from Celtic and Scandinavian traditions, Greek and Norse mythology, Native American culture, the Far East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and more. Cross-referencing makes it easy to explore the themes that span the globe. An extensive introduction explores the origins of fairy folklore and provides general background on common beliefs. A Selection of the One Spirit Book Club.

About the Author

Anna Franklin is graduate photographer and artist. Her work in these areas has concentrated on folklore and mythology. Combining these interests with parallel qualifications as a trained therapist and reflexologist, she has become a successful writer in the subject and contributes to over a dozen magazines. She also edits and publishes her own, called Silver Wheel, and is author of nearly a dozen books, including Fairy Lore (Capall Bann) and The Fairy Ring (forthcoming Llewellyn) in the broad topic areas of MBS and self-awareness.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Vega; illustrated edition edition (June 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843336243
• ISBN-13: 978-1843336242
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #637,266 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best!, March 2, 2003

By	Mary Orchard (UK) - See all my reviews

I bought this book when it first came out in the UK. I have been fascinated by fairies all my life and I really wanted a book that dealt with true fairy mythology, rather than children's fairy stories of the Peter Pan variety. This book brings togther fairy legends and lore from all over the globe and I was forced to think about fairies in a new light. Not all fairies are good, and not all fairies are pretty, but oh, don't they all have a fascination for us! I have never seen such a big dictionary of fairies, with about 3000 entries. The pictures are wonderful, sometimes beautiful, sometimes awe inspiring, sometimes glamourous and sometimes frightening, just like the fairies themselves. And I for one wouldn't have them any other way!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very comprehensive, January 15, 2004

By	WAYLAND (England) - See all my reviews

I have had this book for some time and I find that I take it down often when I am researching anything to do with fairies. I find the information very accurate, and I have yet to try to look up something that isn't there. My grandchildren also like me to tell them about the various fairies, and look at all the wonderful pictures. I note that the previous review accuses Ms Franklin of turning Celtic goddesses into fairies, but I think she might find that it was, in fact, the Irish and the Scots who did this. The process of this is well explained in the book, and tells how when the places became Christianised, belief in the old gods remained, but the figures dwindled in the popular imagination to fairies. Aine is a good example, but there are many more.

5.0 out of 5 stars The illiustrated encyclopidia of Fairies, June 9, 2009

By	Andrew Weiss "Andrew Weiss" (Schuyler Ne USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful book. Comprehensive guide to Fairies around the world
the artwork is beautiful. I would recomend this volume to anyone interested in an in depth study of the fairy folk.
It is impressive to say the least.