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The Magic Lands: Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
 
 
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The Magic Lands: Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland (Paperback)

by Kevin Crossley-Holland (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 388 pages
  • Publisher: Orion Childrens; New edition edition (15 Nov 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1842550519
  • ISBN-13: 978-1842550519
  • Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.6 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 636,018 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
A magnificent book of 55 folk and fairy tales, wonder tales and ghost stories from all over Britain and Ireland. Taken from original sources and then brilliantly retold in a fresh and modern way, this is the most comprehensive and authoritative collection written in the last twenty years. A handsome trade paperback with notes and sources. Each story has a beautiful opening illustration by Emma Chichester Clark, a major illustrator. First published by Orchard Books as BRITISH FOLK TALES, it attracted rave reviews: 'outstanding' Naomi Lewis in The Observer 'a sourcebook of folklore no home with children should be without' The Independent 'this great storyteller' Philip Pullman in The Guardian 'a fine storyteller with a poet's ear' The Independent

About the Author
Kevin Crossley-Holland is the author of the much acclaimed Arthur trilogy, now sold in fifteen languages. He won the Carnegie Medal in l985 for Storm. His many notable books for adults and children include poetry, classic retellings and anthologies. He has written and presented many BBC radio programmes and is a frequent speaker at schools and libraries. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
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Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A good combination of Celtic and well known tales throughout Britain and Ireland., 19 Jan 2008
By Linzi (Wales) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Magic Lands: Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland (Paperback)
A good combination of Celtic and well known tales throughout Britain and Ireland. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the basic wonders of mythological tales created and believed by the world of our ancestors. I recently developed a passion for mythology, and Celtic tales are by far my favourite. The only issue I have with this book is the way in which the tales are written. The use of language is indeed poor; I was expecting a better use of vocabulary. Nevertheless, I wouldn't necessarily name this as one of the books flaws, for it would be an easy and enjoyable read for children (I am currently trying to get my younger sister to take an interest). I am by no means regretful that I brought this book as the collection of tales is a truly marvellous one.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fifty-five wonderful tales, 18 Feb 2008
By Laurence G. Tilley (Rugby, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Magic Lands: Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland (Paperback)
This is an excellent collection and I rate it with 5 stars, in spite of a few shortcomings. Given the quality of the material, these should perhaps be described as missed opportunities. Let's enumerate them. Firstly, the reader should note the small print: This was... First published as British Folk Tales. And there's your clue to what's gone wrong and why this book may languish undeserved in the bargain bin. The publisher has interfered, and imagined perhaps that we are ashamed of our heritage and that the anthology needs to be given a more trendy name. It gets a weak name, which only serves to obscure the content. Secondly a wishy washy cover illustration (but see below for hidden treasure). Thirdly, in admittedly tiny print on the title page, the publisher's flag: Orion Children's Books. Arrgh! Folk tales are the tales of a people. When will we see sense and stop equating them with fairy tales and considering them only worthy for the nursery? Some of these tales have dark and disturbing themes, and are much too good for children! Only let your kids read this if they are really deserving!

Forthly, we have a handful of funny shifts in language. The previous reviewer calls this poor use of language - I think she's harsh there, but I know what she's referring to. Crossley-Holland is a great story teller, but in a few places he's torn between three options: dressing up the story with descriptive language, translating his texts into modern English, or delivering them exactly as collected usually by Victorian antiquarians from speakers of regional dialects. As a result, in a few tales we get Hardy like openings of landscape description, quickly shifting to bare, get on with the ripping yarn, plot - most of these tales were received from old people who remembered them from youth, rather than from accomplished story tellers, so in the original they have charm without polish. To give him his due, the author discusses this dilemma in his introduction and the notes. We can't blame him, too much for sometimes being too fond of the original text to dress it consistently. I noticed it, but I didn't find that it spoiled my enjoyment - they are great stories, with great plots, you can play with them pretty much as you will in retelling.

Fifthly, the notes at the end, about the sources, and about parallel tales and possible meanings are fascinating... but too short, often just a sentence or two. The author clearly had access to more scholarly material about the tales, and it's a great shame to have only a flavour of it. And finally - here's the hidden treasure - not even mentioned on the cover, is the illustrator (not I hope of the weak cover). Every chapter has a wonderful illustration by Emma Chichester-Clark (Quentin Blake disciple), and the book is worth having for these alone. How crazy not to credit her except inside, and what a tragedy that the illustrations are only little cartouches about one inch by two for each tale title piece!

What are we left with? Fifty-five wonderful tales. Our tales. Weird publishing decisions should not prevent you from owning this book. I hope that one day it gets republished with the care to title, cover and notes which it deserves, but buy it now in case it doesn't.
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