Faery · tales, · Magic · and · Folklore
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UK Cover |
"She's not real, honey, she's only an idea. I made her up." - St John Fox to Daphne Fox. It is 1938 and the celebrated American novelist St John Fox is hard at work in his study until his long absent muse wanders in. Mary Foxe is beautiful, British and 100% imaginary. She is in a playfully combative mood, accusing him of being a villain, a serial killer. For St John Fox has a predilection for murdering the heroines of his tales and Mary has returned determined to change his ways. She challenges him to join her in a series of stories of their own devising. However, it isn't long before St John's wife, Daphne Fox, becomes suspicious of Miss Mary Foxe and a most unusual love triangle ensures. Framed by this interplay between Mr & Mrs Fox and Miss Foxe are a nine short stories that flit through time and place. Foxes naturally feature prominently in this exquisite novel and the cover art for the USA edition makes this clearer with its anthropomorphic foxes while the UK cover, with its elegant 1930s motif, is more ambivalent. I actually liked both for different reasons. 
US Cover |
Oyeyemi draws on myth, fairytale and fable from various lands with special emphasis upon Bluebeard and his English equivalent, the were-fox Reynardine. Oyeyemi weaves these into the fabric of her central story and tales with the skill of a true storyteller. There are also themes linked to creativity and the relationship between artist and muse. This was a book that I fell in love with from its first page and remained enchanted throughout. So much so that I was quite happy to revisit it immediately via its audio edition. The beautiful writing of the novel was further enhanced by Carole Boyd's rich voice and range of character voices. This is one I cannot recommend highly enough to those drawn to works of magical realism and this kind of tale of animal transformations and re-told faerie tales. This is the third of Oyeyemi's four novels I have read and each has been memorable though overall I found this the most accessible to date. Endicott Studio Article on Bluebeard - Page 2 on Mr. Fox/Reynardine. Helen Oyeyemi's 'Mr. Fox' page at Picador - includes links to her 'fox thoughts' and the opening chapter. |
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Title: Snow White and the Huntsman trailer Image count: 522 Image size: 1920x1080 and 1280x720 File size: 47 MB and 27 MB 1920x1080 and 1280x720 @  lifeis_caps |
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Prince Featherhead and the Princess Celanine (The Green Fairy Book)Once upon a time there lived a King and Queen, who were the best creatures in the world, and so kind-hearted that they could not bear to see their subjects want for anything. The consequence was that they gradually gave away all their treasures, till they positively had nothing left to live upon; and this coming to the ears of their neighbour, King Bruin, he promptly raised a large army and marched into their country. The poor King, having no means of defending his kingdom, was forced to disguise himself with a false beard, and carrying his only son, the little Prince Featherhead, in his arms, and accompanied only by the Queen, to make the best of his way into the wild country. ( They were lucky enough to escape the soldiers of King Bruin ...Collapse ) |
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To show support for the war against spam, I thought I'd post something from a book I rec'd this Christmas The Encyclopedia of Imaginary Places (c@ 2010, Alberto Manguel & Gianni Guadalupi).
AIAIA
An island in the eastern extremity of the Mediterranean, though some believe it to be in the Black Sea. It is almost uninhabited, except for Circe the Sorceress and her servants who live in a house of polished stone, surrounded by thick bushes and trees in the midst of a large valley. Travellers are warned that a visit to Aiaia may change their outlook on life, as Circe usually transforms her guests into wolves, lions, and pigs. (Homer, The Odyssey, 9thc BC)
AIOLIO
A floating island usually found in the western extremity of the Mediterranean. It consists of naked rock surrounded by an indestructible bronze wall. Here, in the centre of the rock, Aiolos Hippotades, King of the Winds, has built a magnificent palace for himself, his wife, six daughters and six sons, all of whoom currently practise incest. Visitors who for some reason please the king are given large ox-skin sacks filled with violent winds which might otherwise spoil their journey home. These sacks are best left unopened.
Travellers to RUACH can see the wind given by the king to Ulysses, preserved there like the Holy Grail. (Homer, The Odyssey, 9thc BC) |
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Hello everyone, apologies for the spam the other day. After I deleted it, I set all entries to requiring approval (and it's a good thing I did, more spammers have attempted to post since), and have added two new moderators:  istari and lola_joan. Between the three of us, we should be able to ensure that entries are approved and posted quickly, and I hope this won't discourage anyone from posting! Hoping your new year is full of fairy tales ♥ |
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Prince Narcissus and the Princess Potentilla (The Green Fairy Book)Once upon a time there lived a King and Queen who, though it is a very long while since they died, were much the same in their tastes and pursuits as people nowadays. The King, who was called Cloverleaf, liked hunting better than anything else; but he nevertheless bestowed as much care upon his kingdom as he felt equal to—that is to say, he never made an end of folding and unfolding the State documents. As to the Queen, she had once been very pretty, and she liked to believe that she was so still, which is, of course, always made quite easy for queens. Her name was Frivola, and her one occupation in life was the pursuit of amusement. Balls, masquerades, and picnics followed one another in rapid succession, as fast as she could arrange them, and you may imagine that under these circumstances the kingdom was somewhat neglected. As a matter of fact, if anyone had a fancy for a town, or a province, he helped himself to it; but as long as the King had his horses and dogs, and the Queen her musicians and her actors, they did not trouble themselves about the matter. ( King Cloverleaf and Queen Frivola had but one child ...Collapse ) |
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Title: Life's A Game Author: naiveCRIMSON Genre: Magical Realism Rating: PG Word count: 5768 Preview: "'Very well, very well. And here I was, thinking it would be a straightforward game. But nothing is ever that way with you, is it?''" A/N: So, I wrote this short story quite a while ago (amongst others which I might end up posting here anyway) and I'd love to hear what you think. Here to read at my journal. |
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Title: The Magic Number Author: the_love_slug Rating: PG-13 Warning: (Somewhat) dark themes A/N: Feedback would be appreciated! This isn't exactly in the usual fairytale "format", but I wanted to try it in a different perspective. To be specific, the POV of the beast. Er, feel free to delete if you don't think it's okay. It's also a tad shorter than it should be, but I hope that doesn't come off as a negative. >.<' ( Read more...Collapse ) |
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