This remarkable book explores the history of fairies in literature and tradtion.

This book is a journey through the fairy-tale wardrobe, explaining how the mercurial nature of fashion has shaped and transformed the Western fairy-tale tradition. Many of fairy tale’s most iconic images are items of dress: the glass slippers, the red capes, the gowns shining like the sun, and the red shoes. The material cultures from which these items have been conjured reveal the histories of patronage, political intrigue, class privilege, and sexual politics behind the most famous fairy tales. The book not only reveals the sartorial truths behind Cinderella’s lost slippers, but reveals the networks of female power woven into fairy tale itself.

This book marks twenty years since the publication of Professor Ronald Hutton’s The Triumph of the Moon, a major contribution to the historical study of Wicca. Building on and celebrating Hutton’s pioneering work, the chapters in this volume explore a range of modern magical, occult, and Pagan groups active in Western nations. Each contributor is a specialist in the study of modern Paganism and occultism, although differ in their embrace of historical, anthropological, and psychological perspectives. Chapters examine not only the history of Wicca, the largest and best-known form of modern Paganism, but also modern Pagan environmentalist and anti-nuclear activism, the Pagan interpretation of fairy folklore, and the contemporary ‘Traditional Witchcraft’ phenomenon.

In over 1,000 entries, this acclaimed Companion covers all aspects of the Western fairy tale tradition, from medieval to modern, under the guidance of Professor Jack Zipes. It provides an authoritative reference source for this complex and captivating genre, exploring the tales themselves, the writers who wrote and reworked them, and the artists who illustrated them. It also covers numerous related topics such as the fairy tale and film, television, art, opera, ballet, the oral tradition, music, advertising, cartoons, fantasy literature, feminism, and stamps. First published in 2000, 130 new entries have been added to account for recent developments in the field, including J. K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins, and new articles on topics such as cognitive criticism and fairy tales, digital fairy tales, fairy tale blogs and websites, and pornography and fairy tales. The remaining entries have been revised and updated in consultation with expert contributors. This second edition contains beautifully designed feature articles highlighting countries with a strong fairy tale tradition, covering: Britain and Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, North America and Canada, Portugal, Scandinavian countries, Slavic and Baltic countries, and Spain. It also includes an informative and engaging introduction by the editor, which sets the subject in its historical and literary context. A detailed and updated bibliography provides information about background literature and further reading material. In addition, the A to Z entries are accompanied by over 60 beautiful and carefully selected black and white illustrations. Already renowned in its field, the second edition of this unique work is an essential companion for anyone interested in fairy tales in literature, film, and art; and for anyone who values the tradition of storytelling.

Interprets plays in light of their representations of domestic life in the early modern period.

Arthur Machen's collection 'Arthur Machen: 30+ Horror Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Fantasy Books' offers a grand anthology of the author's diverse and captivating works. Machen is known for his eerie and mysterious storytelling, blending elements of horror, fantasy, and the supernatural. His vivid descriptions and intricate plots create a sense of unease and wonder, making his works a unique contribution to the literary world of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From tales of ancient myths to modern-day horrors, Machen's stories are sure to leave readers enthralled and haunted. Born in Wales in 1863, Machen's fascination with folklore, mythology, and the occult heavily influenced his writing. His life experiences and personal beliefs often seeped into his narratives, giving them a sense of authenticity and depth. Through his exploration of the unknown and the macabre, Machen paved the way for future horror and fantasy writers, leaving a lasting impact on the genre. I highly recommend 'Arthur Machen: 30+ Horror Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Fantasy Books' to any reader with a taste for the eerie and the supernatural. Machen's craftsmanship and storytelling abilities make this anthology a must-read for fans of horror, fantasy, and the macabre.

What happens to traditional stories when they are retold in another time and cultural context and for a different audience? This first-of-its-kind study discusses Bible stories, classical myths, heroic legends, Arthurian romances, Robin Hood lore, folk tales, 'oriental' tales, and other stories derived from European cultures. One chapter is devoted to various retellings of classics, from Shakespeare to "Wind in the Willows".The authors offer a general theory of what motivates the retelling of stories, and how stories express the aspirations of a society. An important function of stories is to introduce children to a cultural heritage, and to transmit a body of shared allusions and experiences that expresses a society's central values and assumptions. However, the cultural heritage may be modified through a pervasive tendency of retellings to produce socially conservative outcomes because of ethnocentric, androcentric and class-based assumptions in the source stories that persist into retellings. Therefore, some stories, such as classical myths, are particularly resistant to feminist reinterpretations, for example, while other types, such as folktales, are more malleable. In examining such possibilities, the book evaluates the processes of interpretation apparent in retellings.

The most complete book on these powerful magical beings. Elves and fairies provide a magical mirror into the human psyche and can help people better understand themselves. In The Complete Idiots Guide to Elves and Fairies, readers encounter and learn from an array of magical creatures, and discover how they can positively influence their lives. Key topics include fairy magic in the 21st century, how to recognize an elf and what to do when you meet one, how to attract good elves and fairies, and how to protect yourself from bad ones. * The Lord of the Rings trilogy, on film and DVD, have increased people's interest in elves and their ways * Brian Froud's The Faerie Oracle, Good Fairies Bad Faeries, and Lady Cottington's Faerie Album have kept fairy lore and fairy images in the public eye for more than 25 years * This book explores fairy tales, folklore, and mythology, including modern fairy tales like the Harry Potter series

From Gaelic annals and medieval poetry to contemporary Irish literature, A History of Irish Literature and the Environment examines the connections between the Irish environment and Irish literary culture. Themes such as Ireland's island ecology, the ecological history of colonial-era plantation and deforestation, the Great Famine, cultural attitudes towards animals and towards the land, the postcolonial politics of food and energy generation, and the Covid-19 pandemic - this book shows how these factors determine not only a history of the Irish environment but also provide fresh perspectives from which to understand and analyze Irish literature. An international team of contributors provides a comprehensive analysis of Irish literature to show how the literary has always been deeply engaged with environmental questions in Ireland, a crucial new perspective in an age of climate crisis. A History of Irish Literature and the Environment reveals the socio-cultural, racial, and gendered aspects embedded in questions of the Irish environment.

Unveil the Mysterious World of Welsh Fairies Join Welsh native Mhara Starling on a captivating journey through the realm of the fair folk. Together, you will trace the threads of fairy lore from ancient Welsh literature like the Mabinogion to Mhara’s own contemporary experiences. Delve into the depths of Annwfn (the Otherworld), the ethereal home where the fae reside, and meet Gwyn ap Nudd, the legendary king of fairies. Explore the enchanting variety of Welsh magical beings, including lake maidens, spectral lights, goblins, and mermaids. Discover the connection between magical practitioners and the Tylwyth Teg (fair family) and how you can, if you choose, incorporate these liminal entities into your own spiritual practice. More than a collection of stories, this guide to a Celtic fairy tradition offers practical insight and engaging exercises for those who wish to interact directly with the denizens of the Otherworld.