Discover myths. folklore, fables and legends.Traditional tales often thought to have basis in historical fact.
Myths & Legends Books
Harvard University Press The Fairest of Them All
Book SynopsisVersions of the Snow White story have been shared across the world for centuries. Acclaimed folklorist and translator Maria Tatar places the well-known editions of Walt Disney and the Brothers Grimm alongside other tellings, inviting readers to experience anew a beloved fantasy of melodrama and imagination.Trade ReviewTilt the magic mirror this way, that, and you’ll find in The Fairest of Them All nearly two dozen reflections, each dazzling, of the ur-fairy tale known as Snow White. With her trademark brio and deep-tissue understanding, Maria Tatar opens the glass casket on this undying story, which retains its power to charm twenty-one times, and counting. -- Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and Mirror MirrorA fascinating volume…Far from demystifying fairy tales, Tatar’s analysis has the effect of deepening an appreciation for their magic…The Fairest of Them All delivers a trove of forgotten fairy tales to readers and returns the Snow White of Disney and the Brothers Grimm to her international context—as but one version in a strange, beguiling history of stories about beauty, jealousy, and maternal persecution. * Wall Street Journal *Is the story of Snow White the cruelest, the deepest, the strangest, the most mythopoeic of them all? The answer must be yes. Maria Tatar trains a keen eye on the appeal of the bitter conflict between women at the heart of the tale, unearths retellings from far and wide, and spreads a feast of rich thoughts on the tale’s remarkable aesthetic migrations into literature and film. The Fairest of Them All is an exciting and authoritative anthology from the wisest good fairy in the world of the fairy tale. -- Marina Warner, author of Once Upon a Time: A Short History of Fairy Tale and Stranger Magic: Charmed States and the Arabian NightsThe Snow White tales that Tatar presents here are not as slick as the confections of the Grimms and Disney… What Tatar urges in her deft and thoughtful introduction is that we read each variation, whether it is from West Africa, Afghanistan or China, with equal attention… This provides a way of thinking about how fairy tales reveal more than the essentially early 20th-century upper bourgeois insights of Freudian psychoanalysts. There are plenty of examples of mother–daughter rivalries in these tales to be sure, but there is so much more of the material and temporal world—food, hunger, disease, and war—too. -- Kathryn Hughes * The Guardian *[A] fascinating collection of tales…Shocking yet familiar, these stories of regeneration and transformation even when written down retain the secret whisper of storytelling. This is a properly magical, erudite book that follows Snow White’s trail into the darker forests of the human psyche in which she originated. -- Lucy Lethbridge * Literary Review *Going to the root of a story is a journey to the very core of the soul. Reading across the world, the inimitable Maria Tatar offers us a maze of mothers and daughters and within that glorious tangle an archetype with far more meaning than we imagine when we say ‘Snow White.’ -- Honor Moore, author of Our Revolution: A Mother and Daughter at Midcentury
£16.10
SPCK Publishing The Tale of Three Trees
Book SynopsisA bestselling classic retelling of a traditional tale linking to key events in Jesus' life, perfect for sharing with children during Easter, Christmas, and as a family.
£7.99
The History Press Ltd Fife Folk Tales
Book SynopsisStoryteller Sheila Kinninmonth brings together stories from the coastal fishing villages, rushing rivers, magical green farmland and rolling hills of Fife.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd County Durham Folk Tales
Book SynopsisStoryteller Adam Bushnell brings together stories from the rugged coastlines, limestone cliffs, remote moorland, pastoral dales and settled coalfields of County Durham.
£9.99
The History Press Ltd Folk Tales from the Canal Side
Book SynopsisStories that celebrate the real people that lived and worked on Britain's canalsTrade Review"Ian's first book was altogether a very enjoyable read, and one which caused me to frequently laugh out loud. I must say I read the entire book in one sitting. I highly recommend it!" -- Linda Hollington, Editor
£10.80
The History Press Ltd Animal Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
Book SynopsisA collection of folk tales about our native wildlife from a professional storyteller
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Warwickshire Folk Tales
Book SynopsisMyths and legends from Warwickshire, retold by a local storytellerTrade Review"The lovely illustrations throughout are done by Cath herself, proving she is very talented.""Warwickshire Folk Tales contains a great balance of stories with ghostly, adventurous, romantic and even criminal themes – with happy and not-so-endings.""Cath Edwards has cleverly split up connecting or longer stories into sections here, to be enjoyed separately or as part of the full tale. This makes the reading less daunting and I felt the whole book flowed very well as an enjoyable read."
£11.40
The History Press Ltd Cheshire Folk Tales
Book SynopsisCheshire is a county that associates with the giants of English literature, such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and The Wierdstone of Brisingamen, but how did these fabulous tales develop from a supposedly flat county of boggy, cheese-making plains? This book uncovers some of the surprise and charm hidden in the folds of this unassuming landscape. For hundreds of years, Cheshire folk have been quietly telling their own tales about some of Britain's great heroes, as well as wrestling with their own demons, dragons and boggarts. Let the Journey Man guide you along the canals, through the forests and safely past the sniddlebogs to some surprisingly spectacular heights where you can experience Cheshire's own heroes alongside its eccentric traditions and fast-disappearing dialect. It's not all salt and cheese The Journey Man is an internationally travelled storyteller who has settled in Cheshire. He has been telling stories for some twenty years, and has been given the opportunity to gather and retell the folk tales and history of Cheshire. He now visits schools throughout the North West of England, as well as leading storytelling walks for all ages.
£9.99
The History Press Ltd Essex Folk Tales
Book SynopsisThe Essex coastline has endured invasion by plundering and bloodthirsty Romans, Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and this mysterious landscape is still haunted by their presence. Indeed, it is the women of Essex who have stirred the imagination most – from brave Boudicca and beautiful Edith Swan-neck to the adulteress Kitty Canham.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Ceredigion Folk Tales
Book SynopsisThis is a captivating collection of traditional and modern stories, including the submerged city of Cantre’r Gwaelod, or the ‘Welsh Atlantis’, how the Devil came to build a bridge over the Rheidol, the elephant that died in Tregaron, and how the Holy Grail came to Nanteos.
£9.99
The History Press Ltd Northumberland Folk Tales
Book SynopsisThese folk tales reflect the wild and secret character of between two countries and two worlds. saints seek refuge, ancient kings fight for land and salvation, and border folk pit themselves against one another with both wit and sword.
£11.69
Fantasy Rebel Limited Only Perfect Omegas 1 Rebel Werewolves
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£14.99
Honey Girl Books and Gifts Le Frankenstein du cageot à pommes
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£19.49
MindStir Media YinYang Code
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£11.30
Radiant Publishing House Inc. Radiant Heroes Episode 1 A Fantastic Youth 1
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£23.74
Can't Put It Down Books Oracles Curse
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£13.10
Creative Media Partners, LLC Jos Boys And How They Turned Out
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£25.16
Indy Pub Last of the Exalted
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£24.69
WW Norton & Co Aristophanes Four Plays
Book SynopsisA “zany [and] inventive” (Emily Wilson) translation that for the first time captures both the antic outrageousness and lyrical brilliance of antiquity’s greatest comedies.
£14.24
Hodder & Stoughton Night of Sorrows
Book SynopsisThe final book in the War God trilogy from internationally best-selling author Graham Hancock.Trade ReviewPraise for Graham Hancock * : *A great yarn... [Hancock] is a writer with a first-rate feel for colour and ambience... * The Sunday Times *...part historical fact, part fantasy, the effect is as intense as the events themselves. It's a fascinating read that will have you booking a flight to Mexico long before you finish the book. * Evening Standard *Interweaving historical fact and vivid fiction, Graham Hancock's War God is packed full of blood, guts, conflict, sacrifice and witchcraft in the last days of the Aztec empire. The story of the Spanish conquest of Mexico and the downfall of Moctezuma is the perfect distraction from modern life. * Wanderlust *Five hundred years ago the old Mexican prophecy which announced the return of Quetzalcoatl came true. In an era dominated by human sacrifices and the decadence of a great culture, bearded men, white-faced, from beyond the sea, arrived to impose their law. In this fast-moving highly reccomended novel, Graham Hancock masterfully reconstructs the biggest clash of civilizations ever, revealing aspects that only a genius author could unveil. * Javier Sierra New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Supper and The Lost *The book offers up a heady mix of action, politics, spirituality and the supernatural and we learn a lot...Convincing fantasy elements and viscerally recreated details keep the narrative charging forward. * Daily Mail *
£10.44
SMK Books Gargantua, and His Son Pantagruel
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£23.74
Hodder & Stoughton The Shadow of Perseus: A compelling feminist
Book Synopsis'A page-turning retelling . . . so interesting and thought-provoking' JENNIFER SAINT'A fresh and original take on the myth of Perseus . . . I was gripped by the human drama at the novel's heart' ELODIE HARPERMyth remembers Perseus as one of its greatest heroes. A slayer of monsters. A rescuer of damsels.But the women who knew him best have a different story to tell. His mother, Danae.His trophy, Medusa.His wife, Andromeda.As Perseus becomes obsessed with the promise of his own destiny, his heroic journey casts a shadow of violence and destruction across all three women's lives.It takes strength to survive a legend. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Saint, Elodie Harper and Natalie Haynes, author of Daughters of Sparta Claire Heywood returns with an imaginative reinterpretation of the myth of the great hero Perseus, bringing to life the voices of three women who are side-lined in the traditional version, and whose stories reveal a man who might not, in fact, be a hero at all.Readers LOVE The Shadow of Perseus:'I absolutely adored this book, I devoured it.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The book is a real page turner.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This was such a compelling and wonderful read! I genuinely loved every minute of this book and cannot recommend it highly enough!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A beautifully written, unique, approach to the myth of Perseus. Just gripping' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A masterful voice in the popular new wave of feminist reworkings of Greek mythology . . . A must-read for fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'As someone who loves Greek Mythology retelling, I absolutely loved reading this book' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Trade ReviewHeywood tells her story vividly, setting it convincingly in the period * Sunday Times on Daughters of Sparta *A fresh and original take on the myth of Perseus . . . I was gripped by the human drama at the novel's heart. -- Elodie HarperA beautifully woven tale, Heywood triumphantly reclaims the stories of three of Greek Mythology's most deserving women. With brilliant, confident writing, The Shadow of Perseus has illuminated the stories of ladies too often relegated to the role of villain or damsel. -- Claire M. Andrews, author of the Daughters of Sparta trilogyRe-energizes the Perseus myth . . . By re-interpreting the familiar characters in human terms, Claire Heywood gives new life and a startling new perspective to an old tale. Original and engrossing -- Margaret George, bestselling author of Helen Of Troy
£9.49
Xlibris Nz Mythducking Tales: For Adults Only
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£15.15
Soft Skull Press Imaginary Museums: Stories
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£14.39
Alan Rodgers Books My Book of Favorite Fairy Tales
£8.96
Good Deed Rain Pinocchio in America
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£11.05
Booklocker.com Persephone, Queen of the Dead
Book SynopsisThis is not the myth that has been passed down through the ages where the Greek God Hades abducts and rapes his niece Kore, the daughter of his sister, the Goddess Demeter; dragging her down to the Underworld to be his consort, thus changing her from the maiden Kore to Persephone, the Goddess of the Underworld. Persephone: Queen of the Dead tells the story of a young Goddess who falls in love and marries a God that she knows her mother does not approve of. It is the story of her life and what she had to sacrifice to be with the only man she loved. This story is told not only through the Goddess'' own words, but also her mother, The Goddess Demeter, for the lives of the two are entwined for eternity.The story begins with Kore as a young maiden, who happens to behold the God Hades as he emerges from the Underworld and falling in love. Part 1 switches between Kore as she tells of her first love and her Mother, Demeter as she expresses the betrayal of not only her daughter, but of the other gods as well. It is this betrayal that causes Demeter to withhold her Fertility from the world until most mortal life dies. A compromise is made and Kore, whose new name is Persephone, is forced to leave her husband for one-half of the year to be with her mother. During this time, Demeter allows the vegetation to once again sprout, but when Persephone returns to the Underworld the Goddess of Fertility once again withholds her gifts. Thus the seasons have been created.Continuing on the story explains the role Persephone assumes as Queen of the Dead, and tells several tales of mortals who risked everything by entering into the Underworld. Orpheus travels for weeks to beg the Goddess of Death to return his wife Eurydice to life; the Lapth prince Pirthous, with the help of his companion Theseus, tries to kidnap Persephone and make her his bride, for their foolishness they are turned into statues: four years later when the hero Hercules enters the Underworld as one of his Twelve Labors he is able to free his cousin Theseus. Other tales within the story include that of Psyche and Eros, followed by Adonis who was raised by Persephone, and finally the story of how the new God Dionysus was created.The last part explains how with the beginning of Christianity the Old Gods were demoted into demons and without he daily offerings they became accustomed to, they began to fade. Only the strongest of the gods survived during this period. With the beginning of the new century hope was returned as the Old Religions were beginning to be revived.
£20.99
Lulu.com The Guardian of Light
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£25.14
Independently Published Cold Queen: A Dark Retelling
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£11.30
Independently Published How Nina Got Her Fang Back: Accidental Quickie
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£7.45
Corvidae Literary Services LLC Tales from the Den: Dark Fiction Volume 1
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£9.36
Joel Thomas Feldman Ash
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£11.00
Far Forest Scrolls Far Forest Scrolls Earth on Fire Ocean of Blood
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£23.75
Scroll Media Company LLC Peter
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£22.49
Kate Craft Chaos Forged a Fable
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£16.50
Jerven Publishing Sentinals Across Time: Book Four of the Epic
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£15.29
Jerven Publishing Sentinals Across Time: Book Four of the Epic
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£22.49
Eye of Newt Books Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts: A Guide to the
Book Synopsis"A love letter to the Welsh language... Ellis’ detailed watercolor illustrations are the main attraction, providing fresh artistic representations to inspire a new generation of readers. Mythology fans and art enthusiasts alike will enjoy this beautiful book." — Booklist ‘‘Packed with lore, history, and beautiful illustrations, Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts is an indispensable registry of everything that lurks in the shadows, glides just beneath the surface, or goes bump in the night. I love it!’’ — Todd Lockwood ''My first thought upon seeing Welsh Monsters was “Goodness, what a useful book!” —John Howe Upon the dramatic landscape of Wales there have been born many creatures and beings of legend. This lushly illustrated guide delves into the dragons, beasts, fair folk, and spirits of Wales. Tales become blended and one with history, and this history meets illustration with C.C.J. Ellis’ rich renderings of these creatures. Detail and colour lift these beings off the page and bring this compendium to life. Now available worldwide, this new edition includes a Welsh language guide so that each of the creatures might be known by their original Welsh names. You may have heard of the Red Dragon (Draig Goch) featured on the national flag of Wales, but have you heard of the Water Leaper (Llamhigyn Y Dŵr) or of the Mary White (Mari Lwyd)? Ellis aims to re-introduce the beasts of Welsh myth and legend to the world and bring a touch of Wales to your shelves. Part of the Wool of Bat series focused on the preservation and promotion of folklore and oral history from around the world.Trade Review"A love letter to the Welsh language... Ellis’ detailed watercolor illustrations are the main attraction, providing fresh artistic representations to inspire a new generation of readers. Mythology fans and art enthusiasts alike will enjoy this beautiful book." — Booklist Table of ContentsFORWARD BY STEPHANIE LAW 8 AN INTRODUCTION TO WALES 10 THE ANNWN 12 DREIGIAU (Dragons) 14 AFANC 16 CEILIOG NEIDR 18 DDRAIG GOCH 20 THE DRAGONS OF DINAS EMRYS 22 GWIBER 24 THE GWIBER OF PENMACHNO 26 BWYSTFILOD (Beasts) 28 ADAR LLWCH GWIN 30 CATH PALUG 32 CEFFYL DŴR 34 CŴN ANNWN 36 GWYLLGI 38 LLAMHIGYN Y DŴR 40 TWRCH TRWYTH 42TYLWYTH TEG (Fairfolk) 44 TYLWYTH TEG 46 BWBACHOD 48 BWCA 50 CEWRI 52 COBLYNAU 54 ELLYLLON 56 GWRAGEDD ANNWN 58 GWYLLION 60 MORGEN 62 PWCA 64 YSBRYDION (Spirits) 66 ANGELYSTOR 68 CYHYRAETH 70 Y DYN GWYRDD 72 GWRACH Y RHIBYN 74 MARI LWYD 76 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 78
£19.79
Fergus P Egan Lanta: Song of the Sea
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£14.99
Poetry Wales Press Four Dervishes
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£9.49
Flame Tree Publishing They Stalk the Night
Book SynopsisDuring a winter storm, a ravenous beast preys upon the people of a remote town and a pipeline construction company. Among them, a predatorial psychopath welcomes a master as cold and dark as his heart. Following a trail of carnage, retired police chief Sam Larsen, along with a hellbent group of men and a corrupt sheriff, desperately try to stop the beast before its contagious hunger spreads to others. A young mother, trapped inside her isolated home with her children, must do everything in her power to survive the night. FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress
£11.66
Cinnamon Press The Standing Ground: The Standing Ground Trilogy
Book SynopsisIn a near-future world without privacy or freedom, life is unravelling for Luke, a teenager whose questions and individuality have no place in surveilled society. A virtual encounter with a girl who claims to live beyond the all-controlling grip of E-Government sets him on a quest not only for answers, but for escape. But is Alys real? Why are there echoes of her world in his father, Nazir Malik’s home, especially since Nazir is a celebrity artist trusted by E-Government? And what role can characters from Celtic Arthurian legend possibly play in saving the future? Most urgently, can Luke overcome the threats that surround him and find the Standing Ground?"A wonderful novel… a fresh rendition of the future that draws on technologies that are currently emerging… and on Arthurian legend… akin to Philip Pullman’s street-smart, other-worldly creations, complete with convincing, humorous and likeable characters… a gripping read."Anna Kiernan
£9.89
Chronicle Books Tales of Polynesia: Folktales from Hawai‘i, New
Book SynopsisExplore the enchanting world of Polynesian folklore in this beautiful illustrated collection. A woman falls in love with the king of the sharks. Two powerful sorcerers compete in a battle of magical wits. The king of Maui's fastest messenger races to bring a young woman back from the dead. In these traditional stories, the borders blur between life and death, reality and magic, and land and sea. You'll encounter awe-inspiring warriors, tricky magicians, and fearsome creatures of the deep. This volume includes legends from Hawai'i, New Zealand, Tahiti, and Samoa, showcasing the rich narrative tradition of the Polynesian islands. Each tale is paired with evocative contemporary art in this special illustrated edition.
£17.09
Independently Published Marty's Horrible, Terrible, Very Bad Day
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£8.33
Camel Publishing House The Arabian Nights Entertainments
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£12.97
Flame Tree Publishing Julius Caesar: Epic and Legendary Leaders
Book SynopsisPart of a new series created for the modern reader, introducing the heroes, cultures, myths and religions of the world, this is the epic story of Julius Caesar who was born in 100 BCE, eventually becoming one of the most influential leaders in history. After a bloody civil war, where famously he crossed the Rubicon with his army, he defeated Pompey and the Republicans and was appointed as dictator of Rome, preparing the path for the Imperial might of the Roman Empire. He died at the hands of Cassius and Brutus on the Ides of March in 44 BC and centuries later his life was immortalized by Shakespeare. From myth to mystery, the supernatural to horror, fantasy and science fiction FLAME TREE 451 offers tales, myths and epic literature from the beginnings of humankind, through the medieval era to the stories of imagination and dark romance of today.
£6.99
CBS Green Man Publications The Flying Dutchman BLEAK FUTURE
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£999.99
Arcturus Publishing Ltd Celtic Myth and Legend
Book SynopsisDelve into the myths and legends of Celtic folklore in this classic text, written by Arthurian expert Charles Squire. From King Arthur to Gaelic gods, this authoritative study explores the characters found in Celtic myth and epic poetry. These tales are not only extensively researched but beautiful and moving, with sections on Celtic paganism, druidism and the giants of ancient Briton. The gods are honored in the animated telling of their stories and only give way to heroes such as Cuchulain, Blodeuweek, Branwen, and Finn. Tales include: • Finn and the Fenians• The Mythological "Coming of Arthur'''' • The Rise of the Sun-God • The War with the Giants • The Gaelic Argonauts Drawing on the early writings of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, this book is an essential read for anyone interested in Celtic culture and how its beliefs and traditions have survived in modern day Britain.ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus World Mythology series brings together captivating retellings of myths and legends from different oral traditions, from Greek and Roman to Norse and Native American, offering rich insight into their cultures and beliefs.
£999.99
