Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New York : Pantheon, 1977
Description
First ed. published under title: A dictionary of fairies. Lists entries on fairies and other supernatural creatures, and terms and phrases associated with them.
Media reviews
Southern Folklore Quarterly
"Dr. Briggs brings to her subject both a formidable background in folk scholarship and a lively pen. This absorbing, sensitive, and well-written book will be a valuable single-volume reference work in the study of folklore, mythology, and literature. Even for the general reader-browser, it is a
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treasure as sprightly and appealing as the fairies themselves." Show Less
Southern Folklore Quarterly
"Dr. Briggs brings to her subject both a formidable background in folk scholarship and a lively pen. This absorbing, sensitive, and well-written book will be a valuable single-volume reference work in the study of folklore, mythology, and literature. Even for the general reader-browser, it is a
Show More
treasure as sprightly and appealing as the fairies themselves." Show Less
Newsweek
"What Briggs has done is to recover fairies from the nursery (and to a degree from formal literature and painting as well) and restore to them their diversity, complexity, and astonishingly subtle relationship with mortal men and women.... These stories are designed to awaken consciousness."
Time Magazine
"An Encyclopedia offers a supernatural host of legends, ballads, folk tales -- and more than enough hobgoblins and dragons to fill minds little or large. The entries are informative and scholarly without being stuffy. A good thing, too. Fairies like to play tricks on the serious."
New York Times Book Review
"If myths are both the food and fruit of the imagination, then Katharine Briggs has prepared a banquet.... There seems to be no end to the information in this enchanted almanac."
User reviews
LibraryThing member Michael.Rimmer
A wonderful compendium of the folkloric inhabitants of the British Isles.
In addition to entries about the Little People, there are also entries on certain folkloric motifs, such as Shapeshifting and Captives in Fairyland, and on prominent collectors of tales and writers upon the subject.
As well as
Although not a book that I would read from cover-to-cover, it's fun to dip into: often, having gone to look up a particular entry, I find that I've lost half an hour or so flitting from topic to another.
There are also line illustrations throughout, and a set of monochrome plates showing classic depictions of fairies, elves, goblins, et al.
In summary, an excellent and engaging reference work.
In addition to entries about the Little People, there are also entries on certain folkloric motifs, such as Shapeshifting and Captives in Fairyland, and on prominent collectors of tales and writers upon the subject.
As well as
Show More
the usual index and bibliography, the book also has an Index of Types and Motifs, by which folklore tales have been categorised, thus making it easy to compare similarities between stories which sometimes span the length of the land. This is also facilitated by the entries being cross-referenced within the text (rather like a hyper-text webpage). Although not a book that I would read from cover-to-cover, it's fun to dip into: often, having gone to look up a particular entry, I find that I've lost half an hour or so flitting from topic to another.
There are also line illustrations throughout, and a set of monochrome plates showing classic depictions of fairies, elves, goblins, et al.
In summary, an excellent and engaging reference work.
Show Less
LibraryThing member melannen
This book was my grandmother's, and I read the whole thing every summer when we visited her for about ten years in a row. It's a classic of fairy-lore, informative, quirky, and eminently readable. Definitely recommended for anyone with any interest in British folklore.
LibraryThing member pingobarg
a gem of a find in an old used book store. turley enclycopedic.
LibraryThing member BrendanCarroll
An excellent resource for all things fairy
LibraryThing member Czrbr
Book Description: New York: Pantheon Books ( 1976 ). Hard Cover. Near Fine/Very Good Dust Jacket. First American edition, NF/VG, black cloth, index, line drawings and full page photo illustrations, text is bright and fresh-in NF cond.
LibraryThing member booktsunami
I liked the book and I'm sad to see it going to a charity. But I have to downsize my library and this is one of the victims. The reality is that I will never be able to sit down and read it ....pity. And I've only referred to it briefly since I bought it. Maybe Chad thought I might throw into my
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writing some obscure phases from the fairy world. ...well a bit late for that now. But court stars from me. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1976
ISBN
039473467X / 9780394734675
Local notes
DLP
Other editions
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