The Islands of Magic Legends, Folk and Fairy Tales from the Azores

by Elsie Spicer Eells, E.L. Brock

Some three-fourths of the distance between America and Europe there is a group of nine beautiful islands called the Azores which belong to Portugal. Their names are Flores, Corvo, Fayal, Pico, S. Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira, S. Miguel, and Santa Maria. Many people think them to be the mountain peaks of the submerged continent, Atlantis, which long ago was covered by the ocean. There are ancient records which tell of Arabian caravels driven back by dangerous seas surrounding islands full of volcanoes. There are old pictures which portray seas of spouting geysers and flaming volcanic isles. In these regions islands had a habit of suddenly lifting themselves out of the ocean and then disappearing again from view. When the largest of the islands, S. Miguel or St. Michael as it is called in English, was mapped, two mountain peaks were marked where later only one could be discovered. Thus it was that the Azores gained their reputation. Islands full of volcanoes amid seas of spouting geysers could be nothing else but enchanted. And islands and mountain peaks which suddenly vanished away from one's sight! Surely the Azores must be the true land of magic. "The day of folktales is departing from the Azores," said the wise woman. "Public schools came with the republic, and where books of printed stories enter folktales become confused and soon are lost." Yes, there are still fairies and simple faith and magic in the islands. One who visits the boiling springs at Furnas does not doubt for a moment that he is upon enchanted ground. Folk tales are composite. No one person or group of persons can claim credit for them. They are our inheritance from many storytellers. To all these storytellers both of yesterday and of to-day I offer my grateful appreciation and hearty thanks. It is a pleasure to publish this new, high quality, and affordable edition of these timeless fairy tales.

Genres: Nonfiction

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2011

About the author

Elsie Eusebia Spicer Eells (West Winfield, New York, September 21, 1880 — Volusia, Florida, May 24, 1963) was a researcher of folklore with Iberian roots and a writer who traveled in the early years of the twentieth century across the Atlantic basin and was noted for the publication of several collections of short stories and legends based on the oral tradition of various regions visited, including Brazil and the Azores.

Reviews

[Andreia Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since I’m azorean i was extra picky in this review.

In total, there’s 34 tales in this book but only 9 (ironic, since there are 9 islands) are actually about the islands and take place there. If you’re looking for a book about the Azores, this isn’t it.
When writing about real places, the writer should be sure that the names are correct. That wasn’t the case.
It’s Faial, not Fayal.
It’s Altares not Altos Ares.
It’s São Miguel not St. Michael.
It’s Ilhéus not Ilheos.
It’s Fernão not Fernâo
(example of some of the mistakes)
Since this was republished I’m disappointed that the writer didn’t even take the time to edit and rewrite.

The thing is, I actually liked the 9 tales that take place in Azores and they show the paradise I was lucky enough to be born and raised in.
It’s a pity. You can’t sell a book telling it’s about the Azores when it’s not. This book is a mix of old fables and lucky enough, Azores just makes an appearance. It’s not the main character, so don’t trick the readers with your tittle.
If it truly was a book about the legends and fairy tales about the Azores, it would mention the legend of Brianda Pereira. Know her? The woman that sent the bulls to fight against the spanish invasion and led us to victory making Terceira the main headquarters of Portugal, resisting the Philip’s reign over Portugal.
What kind of book about the Azores wouldn’t mention her? She’s in our history.
Wouldn’t recommend this book to curious readers about the islands.

P.S Tip for writers that want to write about us: when writting about the Azores please do your research, otherwise you'll feel the azorean anger since we're extremely proud and patriot of our islands and will call out your mistakes.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of fairy tales is pleasant as one might suspect. There is typically some rotten behavior towards children and more violence than we would approve of in children’s books today. Let’s assume it’s only adults that are going to read these stories.

They were collected in the very early twentieth century by a woman from New England and have very nice illustrations that remind me of my mother’s Journey Through Bookland series from about that same time. I still have my Mother’s Journey Through Bookland series and it’s probably why I’m attracted to fairy tales.

My only issue with the collection is that it has very little that suggests “Azores,” except perhaps the first two stories. Those two stories are creation myths and remind one that the Azores have often been seen as the lost world of Atlantis. The remainder of the stories seem just like any other European tale and could be set anywhere from Portugal, to Sweden or England and beyond with the usual forests, woodcutters, herders, maids and princesses.

[M. Goretti · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am of Azorean birth and found very few of the legends, Folk and Fairy Tales in this book relatable or understandable in a cultural context EXCEPT the importance of God and belief. They are obviously from a time when patriarchy was in a heyday in the Azores (not surprising), but the role of royalty and the aristocracy and the predominance of love stories in the tales was unexpected. They didn't speak to me nor help me understand the culture from a different perspective. I'm glad my parents never told me any of these stories. Had they been lost or irrelevant by the time they were born in the 1930's?

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to prep for a trip to the Azores next month. This is a charming collection of stories, and I’m glad to have read it. That being said…fairy tales are SUPER weird. No matter what the country of origin! Just so, so weird. (But, thankfully, enjoyable over all.) And as with all old stories, they give insight into human nature and how it hasn’t changed since time began.

[Wyntersnowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pleasant!

I enjoyed every moment reading these tales of old! Fables of old. A wonderful collection from a place that fairy tales come true!

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Audio Book.

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the stories

[Lindy Medeiros · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a first-generation American whose family is from the Azores. I never heard one of the stories from this book.

[annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great read/translation of azorean folk legends! had to cross reference with my mom’s memory of the same stories, and it was pretty close!

[Scott Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection fo short fables that are set in this magical location. Many of the stories are reminisicent of other well known fables but nonetheless, they have their own qualities and take different turns and twists. I particularly enjoyed the story about the pretty girl who disguised herself as an ugly girl. There is a distinctly honest quality to these stories that I found less preachy than other "childrens stories"

[Paulina]

Interesting read!

[Jessica Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would you believe Atlantis?

Yes, one of the origin stories of the Azores lists Atlantis as the predecessor of the Azores! The rest is a mix, oldies but goodies, some origin of customs and animals, and some pro forma stories.