Fairies (Magical Beings) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Fairies are both fascinating and elusive. This book does not pretend to be comprehensive, nor to reveal any new insights or final truths; rather, it is a gathering of wonderful pictures, accompanied by fairy lore drawn from folk tales, anthropology, poetry, and first hand reports.

"Fairies" consists of five chapters. Four of the chapters are based on the commonest classification of fairies - earth, air, fire, and water. There is a final section on fairies in children's literature and its illustration, which draws upon The Blue Lantern Library of old children's books.

From the Inside Flap

Fairies have, under one name or another, been with us since ancient times. They are ever intriguing, yet ever elusive, and no book, no picture, no description will ever satisfy our curiosity, fully define their nature, or establish their existence.

Elizabeth Ratisseau's approach, in this book, is to show paintings of fairies by various artists, some of whom claim to have looked upon fairies, and others who have used their imagination, and the reports of others, to make fairies tangible. She has supplemented these images with selected quotations which bear tangentially on the adjacent images. The result is, we hope, a powerful evocation of these mysterious beings.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Laughing Elephant (December 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883211123
• ISBN-13: 978-1883211127
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 7.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,697 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The woods are full of fairies!" and So Is This Book, November 27, 2001

By	Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This beautifully crafted little book is a thin volume just 7 1/2" x 8 1/2" with silvery accents on the cover. It is a satisfyingly enchanting compilation of rare fairy art and delightful quotations on the subject of fairies. If you have been a fairy lover for any length of time you will have probably seen a few of these wonderful paintings but most will probably be new to you as Elizabeth Ratisseau has done a brilliant bit of treasure hunting to come up with these images. The work is broken down into sections for each of the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, as well as a section on Fairies of Childhood. Usually, I find several disappointing images sprinkled among the good ones in compilations or calendars featuring fairies but each and every one in this book is truly magical, hauntingly fey. I encourage you to get this as a treat for yourself or any other fairy person you love.

34 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book!, June 10, 1999

By A Customer

At first, I didn't know if I would like this book. But, I really enjoyed it. I love to look at the pictures. This is a good book for any child, especially if they are into fairies. You should get this book!

28 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful...a must, July 8, 1998

By A Customer

For not yet published...I find it odd that I have a copy. Needing more copies for friends,which they will also enjoy. The pictures are truly wonderful, and children love them. The adults will love the quotes. A must. I truly enjoyed the book.