Traditional or cultural fiction and true stories, tales and retellings
Spindle Press The River Daughter
Book Synopsis
£14.25
Tarean Marketing Playing with Hellfire
Book Synopsis
£16.19
Penguin Random House Group A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain
£16.99
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
£15.26
Random House Publishing Group Luka and the Fire of Life
Book Synopsis“You’ve reached the age at which people in this family cross the border into the magical world. It’s your turn for an adventure—yes, it’s finally here!” So says Haroun to his younger brother, twelve-year-old Luka. The adventure begins one beautiful starry night in the land of Alifbay, when Luka’s father, Rashid, falls suddenly into a sleep so deep that nothing and no one can rouse him. To save him from slipping away entirely, Luka embarks on a journey through the world of magic with his loyal companions, Bear, the dog, and Dog, the bear. Together they encounter a slew of fantastical creatures, strange allies, and challenging obstacles along the way—all in the hope of stealing the Fire of Life, a seemingly impossible and exceedingly treacherous task.
£14.45
Princeton University Press The Fairies Return
Book SynopsisJack becomes a trickster who must deliver England from the hands of three ogres after a failed government inquiry. In this book, the tales expose social anxieties, political corruption, predatory economic behavior, and destructive appetites even as they express hope for a better world.Trade Review"[M]odern answers to Grimm, variously satirical, queered and jaunty, by a diverse, intriguing group of writers."--Marina Warner, Times Literary Supplement "In the wake of the Great War, in the deep bowl of economic depression, on the doorstep of World War II, these stories are the cultural tradition of a disillusioned generation... They are skillfully and delightfully executed renderings, a treasure-collection of the talents of the time, and plain good literature. I recommend them without hesitation."--Christie Ricardo, Spinning Straw into Gold blog "This beautifully produced reissue, published by Princeton University Press and part of the 'Oddly Modern Fairy Tales' series, features an illustration on its front cover which dates back to 1939. It is an extremely well laid out volume, and its introduction and author biographies make lovely additions to the book... This is a collection of tales which certainly deserved a reprint, and will delight lovers of fairytales, nostalgia, British history and short stories alike."--Kirsty Hewitt, BookGeeks (UK) "It's intriguing to see how past authors used fairy tales in their modern fiction."--Sur La Lune blog "The uniqueness of the collection will make you want to savor it, just as I did... You will feel drawn to inspect each story closely, not only because of the tales' fanciful nature, but also because of their fascinating historical placement and significance."--Beanstalk blog "True to the spirit of the folk tale, they keep their stories provincial even as they modernise the settings. Aladdin is a Scottish undertaker in the town of Drumlochie. Cinderella lives in a secluded valley somewhere in Wales. She lives alone, having learnt a hard lesson in love: her story, typically for this collection, brings disenchantment, not happiness."--Ken Gelder, The Age "[D]elightful."--Choice "[A] delightfully different fairy-tale experience for the contemporary reader. Even those well versed in literary fairy-tales will find something new and enchanting in this volume... This collection is an essential addition to the libraries of those who study fairy-tale retellings and will be an enjoyable read for many others as well. Clever, revealing, and often oddly poignant, these stories deserve recognition."--Brittany Warman, Marvels & TalesTable of ContentsIntroduction Maria Tatar 1 Jack the Giant Killer A. E. Coppard 39 Godfather Death Clemence Dane 65 The Fisherman and His Wife E. M. Delafield 95 Little Snow-White Lord Dunsany 121 Aladdin Anna Gordon Keown 137 Sindbad the Sailor Eric Linklater 163 Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves A. G. Macdonell 186 Puss in Boots Helen Simpson 208 The Little Mermaid Lady Eleanor Smith 228 Little Red Riding-Hood E. oe. Somerville 249 Cinderella Robert Speaight 271 'O, If I Could but Shiver!' Christina Stead 302 The Sleeping Beauty G. B. Stern 325 Big Claus and Little Claus R. J. Yeatman and W. C. Sellar 354 Author Biographies 365
£18.00
Scholastic All The Better To See You
Book SynopsisA classic whodunit in fairytale form, and a twist that readers won'tsee coming until the very end.
£7.59
Scholastic Good Enough to Eat
Book SynopsisA classic fairytale with a twist
£8.54
Scholastic Axel Schefflers Nursery Rhymes
Book SynopsisClimb up the waterspout with Incy Wincy, help the king's men try to put Humpty Dumpty back together again and dance along with the cat playing his fiddle! Brought to life with Axel Scheffler's stunning illustrations, this collection of beloved nursery rhymes such as Twinkle Twinkle and Mary Had a Little Lamb, is the perfect bedtime read.
£7.59
British Library Publishing Minor Hauntings
Book SynopsisReviving obscure stories from Victorian periodicals alongside nail-biting episodes from master storytellers such as Elizabeth Gaskell, M. R. James and Margery Lawrence, this is a collection by turns enchanting, moving and thoroughly frightening.
£9.49
British Library Publishing Penny Bloods
Book SynopsisCollecting seven tales from classic penny publications including the story of Mrs. Lovett, the piemaking counterpart to Sweeney Todd, this volume features newly edited text and insights from Dr. Dittmer’s research to revive a wild company of witches, femme fatales, and deadly criminals for a new generation of readers.
£13.49
British Library Publishing The Horned God
Book SynopsisAssembling ten tales and six poems – along with Machen’s novella – from the boom years of Pan-centric literature, this new collection revels in themes of queer awakening, transgression against societal bonds and the bewitching power of the wild as it explores a rapturous and culturally significant chapter in the history of weird fiction.
£9.49
The History Press Ltd Shropshire Ghost Stories
Book SynopsisSally Tonge, well-known Shropshire storyteller, here retells some of the county''s best ghost stories in her own inimitable style. From the Phantom Funeral of Ratlinghope to the Bagbury Bull and from the murderous Bloody Jack of Shrewsbury to the eerie White Lady of Longnor: there is something here to frighton everyone. This fascinating introduction discusses and explains the recurring motifs in the tales, such as bottled ghosts, white ladies, encounters with the Devil, and also considers these stories'' basis in historical fact. This book is illustrated with a selection of drawings and atmospheric photographs. Shropshire Ghost Stories is bound to be a popular addition to the county''s bookshelves.
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Scottish Urban Myths and Ancient Legends
Book SynopsisMonsters, lunatics, vampires, werewolves and evil dolls, stones entombing bodies, faces appearing in walls, curses and meetings with the Devil – all this and more are contained within this book of myths and ancient legends. Scottish Urban Myths and Ancient Legends is a quirky and downright spooky ride into the heart of Celtic folklore.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Cambridgeshire Folk Tales for Children
Book SynopsisWhy is Cambridgeshire so flat? Probably because of all the giants who used to stomp around it! If you travel to or live in the land of Cambridgeshire, you could be walking in the footsteps of monsters, kings or even the Devil!Journey through time to meet the giant-slayers of Saxon times, the shapeshifters of Tudor times, women who were incredible survivors and even Victorian men who travelled on two legs faster than a steam train! What is truth, and what is myth? Decide for yourself after reading these tales of Cambridgeshire the home of heroes from history.
£9.99
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 Buckinghamshire Folk Tales
Book SynopsisFolk tales from Buckinghamshire from a professional storyteller
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Suffolk Ghost Tales
Book SynopsisHaunting tales that can be enjoyed by readers time and again
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Jersey Ghost Stories
Book SynopsisStep away from sunny Jersey’s present day and into the sinister shadows of the past … the island’s history is filled with dark deeds and restless spirits.
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Glamorgan Folk Tales for Children
Book SynopsisStoryteller Cath Little has gathered together this enchanting collection of tales, illustrated by fellow storyteller and illustrator Peter Stevenson.
£9.49
The History Press Ltd Dancing with Trees
Book SynopsisRichly illustrated with thirty original drawings, these enchanting tales will appeal to everyone interested in nature and in environmental conservation and will be enjoyed by readers, storytellers and listeners time and again.
£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 Midlothian Folk Tales
Book SynopsisAn enchanting collection of folk tales retold by a professional storyteller
£11.69
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 Isles of Scilly Folk Tales
Book SynopsisTraditional tales retold by a professional storyteller
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Mysteries and Sea Monsters
Book SynopsisTrue-life stories of seafarers facing danger and death in the 19th and early 20th centuriesTrade ReviewNautilus Book of the Month for October 2021 a 'kraken' read -- Nautilus International.org
£10.44
The History Press Ltd Folk Tales of Rock and Stone
Book SynopsisFolk tales inspired by geology, archaeology and history
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Medieval Folk Tales for Children
Book SynopsisA collection of medieval tales that give children a real insight into the times, from everyday life to religion
£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."
£10.80
The History Press Ltd Irish Animal Folk Tales for Children
Book SynopsisAnimal tales full of folklore and magic, chosen for for children aged 7-11
£10.80
The History Press Ltd Caribbean Folk Tales
Book SynopsisCaribbean folk tales set alongside local reminiscences of 1950s migration from the Caribbean to Britain
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Folk Tales of Song and Dance
Book SynopsisTraditional folk tales from all over Britain in which song or dance shapes the action
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Adventures in Nature
Book SynopsisInspiration for families to connect with nature using stories and the wisdom of our ancestorsTrade Review"What a truly enchanting book."
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Boggarts Trolls and Tylwyth Teg
Book SynopsisFolk stories from different cultures about the Little People that inhabit hidden lands
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Folk Tales from the Garden
Book SynopsisStories told in and about gardens, from the smallest back yard to the largest country estateTrade Review"I loved this book, you soon find you cannot put it down as you travel from month to month.""The stories are short enough to pick up and read one at a time, then put the book back down to return to later. It’s charming in every way, with beautiful illustrations from Annalisa Salis."
£11.69
The History Press Ltd The Storytellers Supper
Book SynopsisA feast of folk tales about food, with a foreword from Carlo Petrini, founder of the Slow Food MovementTrade Review"Taffy Thomas' The Storyteller's Supper: A Feast of Food Folk Tales is tasty reading with Slow Food Movement founder Carlo Petrini's foreword as appetiser and Dotty Kulty's colourful illustrations as seasoning."
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Angus Folk Tales
Book SynopsisTraditional Angus stories, retold by a local storytellerTrade Review"Erin Farley sweeps up some general categories of tales such as Wells and Saints, Pictish Stones and Souterrains, and Hidden Treasures. There is a strong reminder here that a continuous interaction between environment and history provides a cultural underlay that goes on shaping people’s understanding of locality and their place in it."
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Buddhist Folk Tales
Book SynopsisAn exciting set of tales from the Buddhist tradition to inspire, move, challenge and amuse
£11.69
The History Press Ltd New Forest Myths and Folklore
Book SynopsisThe first ever dedicated collection of folk tales from the historic New Forest area
£13.49
The History Press Ltd Fools and Wise Men
Book SynopsisTraditional tales with strong messages retold with relevance for the 21st century
£11.69
The History Press Ltd Essex Ghost Stories
Book SynopsisSet in the historic county of Essex, this gripping compilation includes stories of restless Vikings that still haunt their former sparring grounds; the distraught countryman of Canvey Island forever searching for his horse and cart; the mysterious haunted picture of ''Cunning'' Murrell, the last witch doctor in England; spectres of a runaway funeral carriage; dastardly Harwich smugglers; strange wartime encounters; foul murders; weary ferrymen on storm-tossed nights; the sites of abandoned wrecks... With his flair for atmospheric storytelling, Robert Hallmann interweaves historical fact and reported ghost sightings with imaginary events to create perfect tales for reading under the covers on stormy nights. Illustrated with charcoal drawings and the author''s own eerie landscape photography, this book will enchant readers time and again.
£13.49
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 Lancashire Folk Tales
Book SynopsisThese lively and entertaining folk tales from one of Britain’s most diverse counties are vividly retold by writer, storyteller and poet Jennie Bailey and storyteller, writer, psychotherapist and shamanic guide David England.
£11.69
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
The History Press Ltd Shetland Folk Tales
Book SynopsisBeing separate from the Scottish mainland, the Shetland Isles have a rich and unique tradition of folklore, from selkies to invading giants and Vikings. This book brings together for the first time many tales of the Isles, including The Boy Who Came from the Ground, and Norway’s First Troll, among many others.
£11.69
