Synopses & Reviews
They are known as the Little People, the Beautiful Maidens, the Godmothers, the Blessed, the Ageless Ones...for it is dangerous to say the name "faeries" without good reason. Ruling over earth, air, fire, and water, they protect forests, animals, and children, and in their hands lie the dreamy souls of all creatures.
The faeries rose from the mist long, long ago, in the time of the Golden Age -- well before the creation of gods and men. In their magical fancy they created the singing grasses and the reflection of springs, the music of legends and the far side of the mirror. From the Valkyries of Valhalla to the Babouchka of Russia, Banshees, Dryads, Bogey Beasts, Sirens, and their ilk populate the imaginations and the forests of every culture.
In this comprehensive celebration of the world of faery, renowned French elficologist Pierre Dubois describes the extraordinary richness of the faery kingdom, presenting dozens and dozens of lushly illustrated entries on the most powerful and enchanting denizens of this magical world. Dubois provides readers with authoritative information detailing the customs, habitat, and activities of these Little People. Faery Godmothers, we discover, were originally tall, distinguished, and rather severe; only recently have they taken up the magic wands and cheerful smiles we know them for today. We learn that the favorite foods of the Arthurian faery Viviane are the blackberries that surround Merlin's tomb. And among the customs and activities of the Bogey Beast, the prime goal is indeed to scare little children...if only for their protection.
Dubois's entrancing descriptions are accompanied by Roland and Claudine Sabatier's marvelous illustrations, which depict the appearance of the faeries, the places where they are found, and their familiar objects. Without revealing any faery confidences (which must never be betrayed), Dubois and the Sabatiers have created a comprehensive and utterly enchanting survey of a magical world as old as time.
About the Author
Pierre Dubois was born in the Ardennes region of France in 1945. In addition to creating a number of major encyclopedic works, he writes film and cartoon scripts and hosts a daily literary feature on French television.
Table of Contents
ContentsInvitation to the Isles of Happiness
Origins and genesis of Faerieland
The genesis of obscure raptures
At the pale springs of the dawn
Towards the dazzling glades
Along faerie paths, the resting place of the soul
Chapter I
Maidens of Clouds and of Time
Tempestaries, Tempestarii
Genies and gods of thunderstorms, rain, snow and wind
Berchta
The Valkyries (Valkyrja)
Mother Holle
Babouchka
Befana and the Christmas Aunties, Tchausse-Villha, Chauchevieille, Snégurochka, Fraü Gaude, Trotte-Vieille, Kolyada, The Guillaneu
Aunt Arie
The Lorialets or Lunatics
Saint Lucia, Cinderella and the Sleeping Beauties
Chapter II
The Faeries of the Hearth
The Bogey Beasts
Old Shut-Eye
The Bogey Nursery
The Larvae
The Black Sisters: Lamastu, Ardat-lilî, Madera, The Songs, The Mei
Maja, Mija, Meiga
The Gianes
The Laumes, the daughters of Laumé
The Vouivre
Mélusine
Codrilles and dragons of the countryside: The Great Basilisk, the Bouzouc, the Karnabo, the Little King Basilisk, Zaltys, the Sangle, the Coquecigrue
Teugghia, Fausseroles, and other fallen Faeries
Martes, Peïlettes and Trouilles-de-Nouille
Foireaux Cats, Courtaud Cats, Margotine Cats
Chapter III
The Golden Queens of the Middle World
Faerie Godmothers: The Moires, the Parcae, the Normes, the Mires, the Matres and the Good Ladies
The Banshee
Spinners and Ladies of Stone
The Filandières and Spinners of the Night
Washerwomen and Singers of the Night
The Ielles
The White Ladies
The Black Ladies and the Red Ladies
Gray Ladies and Ladies of the Well
Blue Ladies, Ice Virgins and Mountain Faeries
The Apsarâ
Male Faeries, Fatis and Féetauds
Chapter IV
The Faeries of Rivers and the Sea
Morgans, Mari-Morgans
The Sirens
Selkies, Sea Trows, Sea Lions
Faerie Horses
The Nekker
Lange-Wapper
The Nâga
The Groac'h
The Vila
Fenettes, Gwagged Annwn and the Undine Lovers
The Swan Maidens
Nixes and the Lorelei
Chapter V
The Maidens of the Green Kingdoms
Faerie Trees
Other creatures of the enchanted boughs: The Old Heads, the Sleepers, the Limetree Faeries, the Monants, the Leafy Faeries, Fire-damaged Woods, the False Faeries of Verzy, the Willow Faeries
The Dryads, the Hamadryads
The Old Mother
The Pillywiggins
The Tisanières
Flower Faeries, Floriales Floralières
The Green Ladies
The Nymphs
The Muses, Horae, and the Three Graces
White Does, Faerie Does and Fabulous Ladies
Chapter VI
The Ethereal Ones of Infinite Dreams
The Margot Faeries
The Children of Desire, The Reborn of the Faeries
The Streghes
Cailleac Bheur
Nang-faa and Phi-bird
The Willies and the Dancers of the Mist
The Encantada and the Luminous Faeries
The Enchantresses
The Faerie Viviane
Morgan le Fey
Maeve, Medb, Mab
The Hadas, the Xanas, the Gojas and Diana
The Folleti del Vento
How the White Lady introduced me to Seignolle
A short inventory of the elficological library