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Gnomes
Les gnomes sont nombreux à peupler les sous-bois de toute l'Europe. Il fallait donc bien un livre qui apprenne aux humains à mieux les connaître. Celui-ci, largement commenté et illustré, est devenu l'ouvrage de référence en la matière. Il détaille la vie et les légendes des gnomes. Ses auteurs ont mené une véritable enquête scientifique et font part de toutes leurs observations. Comment les gnomes construisent-ils leurs maisons ? Comment mangent-ils ? Comment se soignent-ils ? Comment se reproduisent-ils ? Rien n'est oublié. Les Gnomes régaleront ceux qui s'intéressent aux personnages fantastiques. Ils trouveront des mêmes auteurs et chez le même éditeur Le Livre secret des gnomes. --Ségolène Dujardin
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 526 reviews
March 19, 2008
This is one of my stranger and more embarrassing tales.
For some bizarre reason, gnomes are a recurring theme in my life. Someone gave me this book the month I was getting married. I thought the gnome man and woman were cute, ad I bought a gnome man and woman as our wedding cake toppers. For our thank you notes after the wedding I bought a postcard of a gnome couple sitting by the side of a lake, fishing. The cake topper couple disappeared the night of the wedding and I have never seen them since. Not surprising... there were 400 people at our wedding, and it lasted four days.
Well, like most marriages, one thing lead to another, and before you know it I was contemplating whether to smother him with a pillow or leave. I opted for the legal thing. Now here is where it gets weird. Like most couples we registered for wedding gifts. We received some china, silver and crystal stem ware. I left him most of the china and silver, taking just one place setting of each as a token rememberence. I also had some silver that my family gave me.
My ex started to act progressively weirder as our divorce dragged on, custody court, etc etc (really long story)... and at one point I wound up basically winning the legal disputes we were having. During this time I had a friend of my sister's living with me, helping me out with my daughter who was 4 at the time. She was an older woman and extremely New Agey woo woo. She told me that she had had a vision that my ex was possessed by the spirit of a gnome whose name was Hairy Tuff (so not making that up). She said that he continued to have power over me because of the gold and other precious metals he had given me. One day my ex was visiting and saw inside my china cabinet the set of silver ware I had from our wedding. He literally started jumping up and down, his face turning bright red, screaming at me, "Thief! Thief!" He insisted that the silver was his and he wanted it back!
Now, my ex husband is kinda short, has a pot belly, and is balding on top with Einstein-like tufts of hair that stick out on the side. He is also going grey and has a goatee and mustache. I can't say he looks like the Travelocity gnome... but he is definitely gnome like. And jumping up and down like that I kept thinking... oh my god, it's Rumplestiltskin.
After this incident my wacko roommate convinced me that what I had to do to sever his hold over me was to take all the gold he had given me and bury it in the yard, giving it back to the gnome spirits. Then he would have no power anymore. Being newly sober and kinda stupid and impressionable, I did as she suggested. I took my wedding band, my diamond engagement ring, a gold bracelet and watch... and buried them in the yard at night, chanting a little giving back ritual over them.
A few years later I had become best friends with a Jewish American Princess from Queens. When I told her the story she spit out her food and yelled at me... "You did WHAT with diamonds???!!! ARE YOU INSANE?????"
So we got it into our heads that we would go back to my old house and dig up the stuff I had buried. Now, the house was now rented to a young couple with a brand new baby. Because we were already out and about shopping and stuff, we were dressed in mini skirts, fishnets, nice blouses and heels. It was raining. We showed up at this woman's door and asked her if it would be okay if we dug something up out of her yard, that I was the former tenent and I had buried my dead dog's ashes out under the tree. She looked at us like we were insane and said, uhm, okay.
So we proceeded to dig. In the rain. In our skirts and pumps. But of course, I couldn't really remember EXACTLY where I had buried the stuff. It had been dark. It was somewhere NEAR the tree. On a hillside. Where there were other trees. That were all kind of the sameish.
We dug for four hours.
In the rain.
Eventually the woman's husband came home and was like... uhm... whatcha lookin for? We told him... my dog's ashes. He said, really? Cuz it kind of looks like you're looking for a dead body or something. Heh heh heh (nervously). We couldn't really argue with him. I'm sure it must have looked... well.. odd.
We never did find the damned jewelry. To this day my best friend loves to point at lawn gnomes as say... pssst... Charissa... it's looking at you.
I say the gnomes took that gold. I say it's why I won the court case and why, no matter how hard the man tries, he has never had any power over me since then. I say... digging in the rain in mini skirts is FUN goddamn it!! I say... please pass my medication.
Funny thing is... now my dad sort of looks like one of those damn lawn gnomes. He has a red woolen cap he wears in the winter, with his Santa beard and his enormous pot belly. I tell you, the gnomes are after me. They haunt me. It's okay though... they already have my gold... what more can they possibly take?
For some bizarre reason, gnomes are a recurring theme in my life. Someone gave me this book the month I was getting married. I thought the gnome man and woman were cute, ad I bought a gnome man and woman as our wedding cake toppers. For our thank you notes after the wedding I bought a postcard of a gnome couple sitting by the side of a lake, fishing. The cake topper couple disappeared the night of the wedding and I have never seen them since. Not surprising... there were 400 people at our wedding, and it lasted four days.
Well, like most marriages, one thing lead to another, and before you know it I was contemplating whether to smother him with a pillow or leave. I opted for the legal thing. Now here is where it gets weird. Like most couples we registered for wedding gifts. We received some china, silver and crystal stem ware. I left him most of the china and silver, taking just one place setting of each as a token rememberence. I also had some silver that my family gave me.
My ex started to act progressively weirder as our divorce dragged on, custody court, etc etc (really long story)... and at one point I wound up basically winning the legal disputes we were having. During this time I had a friend of my sister's living with me, helping me out with my daughter who was 4 at the time. She was an older woman and extremely New Agey woo woo. She told me that she had had a vision that my ex was possessed by the spirit of a gnome whose name was Hairy Tuff (so not making that up). She said that he continued to have power over me because of the gold and other precious metals he had given me. One day my ex was visiting and saw inside my china cabinet the set of silver ware I had from our wedding. He literally started jumping up and down, his face turning bright red, screaming at me, "Thief! Thief!" He insisted that the silver was his and he wanted it back!
Now, my ex husband is kinda short, has a pot belly, and is balding on top with Einstein-like tufts of hair that stick out on the side. He is also going grey and has a goatee and mustache. I can't say he looks like the Travelocity gnome... but he is definitely gnome like. And jumping up and down like that I kept thinking... oh my god, it's Rumplestiltskin.
After this incident my wacko roommate convinced me that what I had to do to sever his hold over me was to take all the gold he had given me and bury it in the yard, giving it back to the gnome spirits. Then he would have no power anymore. Being newly sober and kinda stupid and impressionable, I did as she suggested. I took my wedding band, my diamond engagement ring, a gold bracelet and watch... and buried them in the yard at night, chanting a little giving back ritual over them.
A few years later I had become best friends with a Jewish American Princess from Queens. When I told her the story she spit out her food and yelled at me... "You did WHAT with diamonds???!!! ARE YOU INSANE?????"
So we got it into our heads that we would go back to my old house and dig up the stuff I had buried. Now, the house was now rented to a young couple with a brand new baby. Because we were already out and about shopping and stuff, we were dressed in mini skirts, fishnets, nice blouses and heels. It was raining. We showed up at this woman's door and asked her if it would be okay if we dug something up out of her yard, that I was the former tenent and I had buried my dead dog's ashes out under the tree. She looked at us like we were insane and said, uhm, okay.
So we proceeded to dig. In the rain. In our skirts and pumps. But of course, I couldn't really remember EXACTLY where I had buried the stuff. It had been dark. It was somewhere NEAR the tree. On a hillside. Where there were other trees. That were all kind of the sameish.
We dug for four hours.
In the rain.
Eventually the woman's husband came home and was like... uhm... whatcha lookin for? We told him... my dog's ashes. He said, really? Cuz it kind of looks like you're looking for a dead body or something. Heh heh heh (nervously). We couldn't really argue with him. I'm sure it must have looked... well.. odd.
We never did find the damned jewelry. To this day my best friend loves to point at lawn gnomes as say... pssst... Charissa... it's looking at you.
I say the gnomes took that gold. I say it's why I won the court case and why, no matter how hard the man tries, he has never had any power over me since then. I say... digging in the rain in mini skirts is FUN goddamn it!! I say... please pass my medication.
Funny thing is... now my dad sort of looks like one of those damn lawn gnomes. He has a red woolen cap he wears in the winter, with his Santa beard and his enormous pot belly. I tell you, the gnomes are after me. They haunt me. It's okay though... they already have my gold... what more can they possibly take?
August 13, 2007
This book fascinated me as a kid -- my dad was an engineer, so I was drawn to the technical drawings, diagrams, and labels. Within the sphere of the fantasy geek, I was most drawn to the "complete world" authors like Tolkien, authors who didn't just create characters and plots but entire worlds, cultures, and linguistic systems. It's telling that my favorite part of "Return of the The King" is the appendices, and I spent many hours translating phrases into Dwarven Runes.
This book fulfills that same craving, as the authors meticulously detail the fictional lives and societies of Gnomes with such a high degree of specificity that you begin to wonder if, just maybe, they had first hand experience with their subjects.
This book fulfills that same craving, as the authors meticulously detail the fictional lives and societies of Gnomes with such a high degree of specificity that you begin to wonder if, just maybe, they had first hand experience with their subjects.
January 24, 2023
I wanted to read this book since I was a child. Back then these books were very expensive and so I never got to see it until now. These days you can find them easier at a thrift store. I loved to read about gnomes. I loved the drawings, they are beautiful. I was thinking about things I really have seen in nature, maybe there is a thing like a gnome :-D.
December 8, 2021
Tom Robbins once wrote, "Those who shun the whimsy of things will experience rigor mortis before death." So if you think you're too sophisticated for this big, delightful book, check your pulse and the rigidity of your limbs.
This is the definitive work on all things gnome. Playful and whimsical for sure, but these guys take their gnome studies seriously. They cover every aspect of gnome life including marriage, home building, food, medicine, friends, enemies, and services gnomes provide for other woodland creatures. The artwork is stupendous. It took me a long time to get through the book because I spent a lot of time just gazing at the paintings.
Thank goodness there are only 2 or 3 snotgurgles left in the world! They're even scarier than trolls, and they can live to be 2,000 years old.
This is the definitive work on all things gnome. Playful and whimsical for sure, but these guys take their gnome studies seriously. They cover every aspect of gnome life including marriage, home building, food, medicine, friends, enemies, and services gnomes provide for other woodland creatures. The artwork is stupendous. It took me a long time to get through the book because I spent a lot of time just gazing at the paintings.
Thank goodness there are only 2 or 3 snotgurgles left in the world! They're even scarier than trolls, and they can live to be 2,000 years old.
March 7, 2019
A childhood favourite. I should find a copy to revisit and keep, as the last time I read it must’ve been sometime in 1982. I remember being impressed by the beautiful watercolour illustrations which I kept coming back to again and again of these whimsical creatures, which are treated in this encyclopedia-type book as very much being in existence.
"Gnomes is considered the definitive work on gnome culture. With a scholarly tone, it covers gnome architecture, education, medicine, courtship, and family and work life."
-The Philadelphia Inquirer
"Gnomes is considered the definitive work on gnome culture. With a scholarly tone, it covers gnome architecture, education, medicine, courtship, and family and work life."
-The Philadelphia Inquirer
December 3, 2008
Okay, here is the review that most of you have been waiting for, haha! Is "Gnomes" cute? or scary?
...
...
...
Mostly cute, with a dash of "um, really...!?" tossed in that will probaby count as "scary" for those of you not already predisposed to like gnomes.
Now, I admit that I have not read this word-for-word as it's much longer than I was expecting, but I've done a fair amount of perusing and my review is based off this.
First of all, the entire idea is absolutely fascinating and charming--a little exploration of the lives of gnomes, presented as if it is a factual account, like a field study. We learn about their body structures, likes and dislikes, personalities, courting and childrearing habits, hobbies and daily activites, home life, etc. For example, gnomes have mice as pets and live in burrows (but very cute and homey houses) under trees, they have their own bee hives for honey, they like to provide first-aide to animals, and female gnomes grow beards in old age...
The pictures are, mostly, extremely adorable!!! I love the rosy-cheeked gnomes and all the pretty woodland settings and the wildlife and seeing their little home and the table spread for breakfast. Chandra, I can see where you would have been fascinated as a child--I think I would have, too.
Just a small caution: a few images might be a bit unsettling to some children, like the picture of a gnome head-first in a deer's mouth (if you read the description you find he is getting out mouth-worms or some such parasite (which is gross, anyway) but it looks like the deer is eating him) Also, while a few sketches of topless, very well-endowed female gnomes (i.e., nursing gnome babies) night simply fascinate or amuse children, I know more conservative parents would not approve.
The end section contains several fables about gnomes.
All in all, a delightful collection if you like gnomes but I don't think it will win any of you over if you aren't alerady fans!!!
...
...
...
Mostly cute, with a dash of "um, really...!?" tossed in that will probaby count as "scary" for those of you not already predisposed to like gnomes.
Now, I admit that I have not read this word-for-word as it's much longer than I was expecting, but I've done a fair amount of perusing and my review is based off this.
First of all, the entire idea is absolutely fascinating and charming--a little exploration of the lives of gnomes, presented as if it is a factual account, like a field study. We learn about their body structures, likes and dislikes, personalities, courting and childrearing habits, hobbies and daily activites, home life, etc. For example, gnomes have mice as pets and live in burrows (but very cute and homey houses) under trees, they have their own bee hives for honey, they like to provide first-aide to animals, and female gnomes grow beards in old age...
The pictures are, mostly, extremely adorable!!! I love the rosy-cheeked gnomes and all the pretty woodland settings and the wildlife and seeing their little home and the table spread for breakfast. Chandra, I can see where you would have been fascinated as a child--I think I would have, too.
Just a small caution: a few images might be a bit unsettling to some children, like the picture of a gnome head-first in a deer's mouth (if you read the description you find he is getting out mouth-worms or some such parasite (which is gross, anyway) but it looks like the deer is eating him) Also, while a few sketches of topless, very well-endowed female gnomes (i.e., nursing gnome babies) night simply fascinate or amuse children, I know more conservative parents would not approve.
The end section contains several fables about gnomes.
All in all, a delightful collection if you like gnomes but I don't think it will win any of you over if you aren't alerady fans!!!
January 23, 2017
This is an important book in my family. My grandparents owned a copy and we kids enjoyed hearing stories about gnomes "Nissen" and tales of Norway my grandmother heard from her grandmother. My brother and sister-in-law spent time in Iceland, where many people believe gnomes, fairies and elves walk among us. They picked up a copy of this book and dressed their newborn son up as a gnome for Halloween one year. Another reason we loved this book is because it was the basis for one of our favorite TV shows "David the Gnome" on Nickelodeon. The stories of gnomes and the show have been passed on to the next generation and I hope the book will get passed down as well.
February 21, 2018
Gnomes is a great '70s, realist-watercolor-illustrated, cryptozoologist-fantasy that started the whole popular craze of the tiny, red-dunce-capped, earth-dwelling folk called 'Gnomes'. Written as a Field Guide on the habits and habitat of these wee folk who would later take over gardens the world around.
At second glance it's sort of surprising this book made the shelves at my elementary school's library. Some of the images are down right graphic and gruesome. To be honest I'm not sure it was given much scrutiny, it's about elves right? Yay! Funny how societal values and censorship have both progressed and regressed (your mileage may vary).
If you're strict about what your youngins view, you might look this one over first. There may also be a new edited version, but I know not the differences. Otherwise an enjoyable book for the coffee table.
At second glance it's sort of surprising this book made the shelves at my elementary school's library. Some of the images are down right graphic and gruesome. To be honest I'm not sure it was given much scrutiny, it's about elves right? Yay! Funny how societal values and censorship have both progressed and regressed (your mileage may vary).
If you're strict about what your youngins view, you might look this one over first. There may also be a new edited version, but I know not the differences. Otherwise an enjoyable book for the coffee table.
March 9, 2016
Che ricordi... lo sapevo a memoria, conoscevo tutte le abitudini, usi e costumi degli gnomi.
Mi ricorda tantissimo la mia infanzia, passavo un sacco di tempo a sfogliarlo e a costruire con la mente viaggi fantastici insieme agli gnomi.
Forse le grafiche oggi risulterebbero poco accattivanti, ma secondo me è un must have per i bambini!!!
Mi ricorda tantissimo la mia infanzia, passavo un sacco di tempo a sfogliarlo e a costruire con la mente viaggi fantastici insieme agli gnomi.
Forse le grafiche oggi risulterebbero poco accattivanti, ma secondo me è un must have per i bambini!!!
February 10, 2010
I've loved this book for a long time, but keep forgetting to name it as one of my favorite books of all time. For posterity, I'll do that here--this book and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (and sequels) are my FAVORITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME. And Rose just gave me my very own copy!!
For those of you not familiar with this awesome book, it is written as a scientific field guide to gnomes. David & I read through it a little bit at a time. I flip the pages & make like I'm exposing him to Magical Knowledge, because I am.
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
For those of you not familiar with this awesome book, it is written as a scientific field guide to gnomes. David & I read through it a little bit at a time. I flip the pages & make like I'm exposing him to Magical Knowledge, because I am.
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
January 12, 2025
This book carries with it some deep… deep nostalgia. I remember, as a child, being really fond of it. However, as an adult, it was kind of boring. It’s just a lot of day to day, slice of life gnome lore. I realize now that cartoon nudity in elementary school was enough to cement this in my brain as something amazing. Seems like what was taboo and forbidden to a child is pretty average to my adult self. That said, the illustrations are fantastic and the previously mentioned nostalgia is enough to give this a solid three star rating.
June 13, 2020
To my amazement I have heard that there are people who have never seen a gnome. I can't help pitying these people. I am certain there must be something wrong with their eyesight.
-Axel Munthe
Fascinating, Mysterious, and Superbly Educational.
This beautiful volume brings back many childhood memories. I was given a little collection of gnome books by my adopted grandparents. I still have a few treasures from my early childhood, including a music box and other books given me by the same couple. Sadly, my original gnome storybooks have been lost.
I was working at Borders Bookstore 2010-2011. When Borders went out of business in 2011, I bought this book during the liquidation sale. As a child, I also vaguely remember watching gnome cartoons. Sometimes I get confused about my earliest memories about what was reality and what was a dream - but I'm pretty sure I met those gnomes.
In 2013-2014, I went in search of gnomes and fairies in my new home of Boulder, Colorado where I've lived since 2006. I didn't have a vehicle for a few years, but in 2013, I bought my first scooter and was able to explore some magical fairylands in the foothills where the creeks run into the city. In September 2013, Boulder experienced historic flooding which wiped out many of the paths through these magical fairylands. In the years since, many of the Boulder Trails have been made to circumnavigate the most special places where paths once went right though, but there are still a few places left where I can visit the gnomes and fairies. Even when the trails lead into the fairylands, I notice few people pay these places much attention - running through in such a hurry, they have no idea what is right before them.
Favorite Passages:
The droll riddling rhyme from the opera Hansel und Gretel -
A little man stands in the woods, still and alone;
His smock is of bright purple and with purple thread is sewn.
Prey tell: who is this little man . . . who stand upon just one leg . . .
- has nothing to do with gnomes; it concerns a toadstool, most likely the fly fungus. The confusion probably stems from the unproven folk belief that gnomes, in times of danger, can transform themselves into toadstools.
_______
Gnomes do not so much see the material presence of those before them; rather, they probe the real self and view the landscape therein to such an extent that no secrets remain.
_______
When forced to tread on bare ground, the gnome makes use of a bird's - foot pattern printed in relief on the soles of his boots. With this cunning aid he disguises his travels.
_______
Sense of direction (as good as a homing pigeon, migratory bird). Compasses are not used. If a gnome receives one as a gift he generally hangs it on the living-room wall.
_______
The house gnome is a special sort. He resembles an ordinary gnome but he has the most knowledge of mankind. Owing to the fact that he often inhabits historic old houses, he has seen both rich and poor, and heard a great deal. He speaks and understands man's language; gnome kings are chosen from his family.
_______
Every now and then a gnome family will inhabit a windmill.
_______
Gnomes have their own secret way of telling time, based on cosmic oscillation. It is no trick at all for them to predict long-term periods of dry or wet weather, severe or mild winters. Excepting this, however, they use our method of timekeeping. Some of them have silver or gold watches. The cuckoo clock that hangs in every gnome's house is the traditional wedding present given to the groom on his wedding day.
A gnome keeps track of his age through the growth of an acorn planted in the ground on his day of birth.
As soon s the tree is large enough, it is marked with runic writing by the parents. At the same time a copy is carved in a flat stone or on a clay tablet, and this plaque is given to the gnome in question on his 25th birthday; he keeps it in a secret place for the rest of his life. Very large old oak trees sometimes bear the runic writings of more than one gnome born in the same year.
Gnomes visit their birthday tree yearly on Midsummer Eve and add a mark to the runic script. Sometimes they even live under the tree, so they can easily check on their age when in doubt.
________
When he is about 10o the male gnome begins to think of marriage; a small number do, however, remain single. The youthful gnome then begins to search for his girl. In doing so, he sometimes has to travel great distances because gnomes are few and far between and the number of eligible girls of his age not related to him is very limited. Plump womenfolk, round of form, are the favorite.
________
The wedding is a simple ceremony (except among the nobility).
At midnight, under the bride's birthday tree, the young couple, attended by parents and close friends, promise to be eternally true.
________
On warm spring evenings they love to let the thrush lead the singing, then they follow with their own dreamy, melancholic variations on that theme.
Later, when the thrush and blackbird are asleep, they thrill to the louder, more metallic, sounds of the nightingale.
________
The Chimney (also an air vent) The chimney of the future stove is connected to a woodpecker's hole.
________
The bride's wedding present, a dowry chest, is placed in another corner of the boot room. The chest rests on low feet and is beautifully carved and painted. Departing visitors are given presents that have been stored in the chest. These may be natural things, useful implements, or writings to be pondered upon, such as an odd sentence, a poem, or a profound proverb that may take a long time to understand.
________
A hilarious sight is a gnome busy filling his storeroom while behind his back a hamster is busy emptying it. Naturally, when this is detected, a lot of bickering follows.
________
If it is not yet dark enough, the gnome waits besides a friendly rabbit until deeper darkness falls.
________
The gnome is a born carpenter and joiner. He makes all his own furniture - cupboards, chairs, benches, and so on - without using a single nail. Everything is constructed with dovetail joints, wooden dowels, and glue. Little metal hardware is used; even cupboard doors are hinged by vertical wooden pins at top and bottom.
________
Constructing bird houses is a labor of love for the gnome.
All are made to measure. We see them hanging in isolated places in the woods. Out of gratitude, nesting birds allow the gnome to examine their eggs and take home any unfertilized specimens to eat.
________
Obviously, gnomes maintain close contact with animals. They are, shall we say, on the same wavelength.
This means, of course, that the gnome speaks their language and understands their problems. All animals - even the troublesome ones already mentioned, such as the polecat, rat, etc. - feel safe with the gnome and are trusted by him. The cat, however remains an exception - especially the wild domestic cat, who is not a member of the natural animal world and is completely unreliable.
________
Gnomes have known about acupuncture for many thousands of years. They use gold and silver needles.
________
Horses in a stable or meadow will never step on a gnome! (Neither do cows or other large animals.) Without fear, the gnome can walk about between horses' legs or even sleep under them.
________
Spiders are not especially friends of the gnome; but a gnome will never destroy a web, because that might bring bad luck.
________
The old children's rhyme "Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home, Your house is on fire . . . ," which makes her actually fly away, originated with gnome children.
________
Gnome children, like children everywhere, love to swing. There is always a place in the bushes to hang the ropes. In the dunes or meadows, the father builds a swing for them. (Incidentally, adult gnomes like to swing gently when pondering serious problems.)
________
Bowling is played at the edge of a meadow with dried, odorless rabbit droppings; and a respectful audience of rabbits looks on.
________
Among themselves gnomes speak their own language. But since we come in contact only with solitary gnomes, we never hear it. (They can become very difficult if asked about their language.) It is certain, however, that animals understand it. "Goodnight" is slitzweitz, and "thank you" is te diews. We did not progress much beyond these few words mainly because the gnomes master man's languages perfectly. And if they cannot place a word, they immediately ask its meaning. Their written language is the ancient runic script.
________
House Ghosts
This sort is very often confused with the gnome because they take on many shapes, including that of the gnome - and sometimes also of a rat, cat, or black dog. In their natural state they are invisible to man, but they can become visible in these forms. They make a lot of noise in the house at night; they live between the walls, in the attic or in the cellar, in the stable, in the shed, sometimes even in a large tree beside the house. They are not particularly intelligent, and remain friendly as long as they are treated well. They like to tease lazy people by pulling the blankets off their beds and sending icy drafts through the room. They also delight in knocking over milk pails and keeping people awake by constantly tapping on the walls.
When made very angry, they become malevolent.
_______
Trolls
Stupid, primitive, distrustful, and unbelievably ugly creatures. They have noses like cucumbers, and a tail. They are horribly strong and fast, and they stink.
_______
River Spirits, Wood and Mountain Nymphs
Rarified, often invisible, beings who can take on any form; they are powerful in the magic arts. Neither good nor ill-natured as such, they avoid all trouble by simply withdrawing. But if they are pushed too far, disasters can occur. They can shed tears in a dismal fashion or laugh lugubriously; often they spy with one eye from behind a tree.
____
The gnome doesn't have much to do with elves, goblins, house ghosts, dwarfs, river, wood, or mountain nymphs, uldras, sorcerers, witches or werewolves, fire ghosts or fairies. He simply avoids them.
Gnomes have great difficulty with trolls, however, especially in northern Europe, Russia, and Siberia. These disturbers of the peace - meddlesome and aggressive as they are - cause endless harm to man an animals, with whom the gnome has good relations and toward whom he feels a responsibility.
Fortunately, beyond his cave the troll has no power over the gnome. Besides, the gnome is much more clever. Still, if a troll happens to catch a gnome, the most gruesome things can happen.
____
Far worse treatment awaits a gnome if he falls into the hands of a snotgurgle, of whom, mercifully, only two or three exist in the world. The snotgurgle is as large as troll (is perhaps even related to him from primeval times), has six black-clawed fingers on each hand, enormous flat feet with seven toes on each foot. His greasy, stinky body hair is infested with lice and fleas - which seem not to bother him. Hair covers him from head to toe, even on his face, where, between greasy locks, only his gleaming idiotic eyes can be seen.
Snotgurgles can live to be 2,000 years old, and they are born thieves. In their caves they have huge collections of gold, silver, and precious stones, which they have stolen from men throughout the years. Everything stinks of bugs.
A gnome in the power of a snotgurgle has little chance of survival. There is the case of one Olie Hamerslag (now 385 years old) who resides in the drained marshes near the Berezina. His legs were amputated by a snotgurgle who ran him through a string bean cutting machine. This gnome cunningly succeeded in escaping afterward. He was then flown home by a speckled crow, has used wooden legs for more than seventy years, and now you could hardly know it.
____
In thunderstorms the gnome is in little danger of being struck by lightning because he is so small. If the storm really starts to rage, he takes shelter under a beech, because these trees do not attract lightning. Gnomes know the old German rhyme to ward off lightning (the hammer of Thor):
Oak should be avoided,
Don't stand under a willow,
The pine is in danger,
But beech may be safely sought.
_______
The only danger that may befall gnomes in Winter, especially in hilly terrain, is that if they are out walking they may get rolled up in a natural snowball as it tumbles downhill. Many a stunned gnome has been seen picking himself up out of the remains of a snowball that has splattered open against a wall or a mountain chalet.
____
"Have I told you how Wartje got back the gold and precious stones a dragon had stolen and returned them to the elves of Thaja?"
"Yes."
"And how, to save the life of a little human girl who lay dying, he plucked a life-giving herb from an island in Siberia that was guarded by a ferocious dinosaur?"
"Yes."
"And how, during a storm, he slipped off the back of an osprey and fell into the middle of the bewitched lake of Warnas, and was brought to shore by a blind carp?"
"Yes."
"And how he was captured by the trolls?"
"No."
"All right then. Wartje was always falling out with trolls. As he was far too clever, they couldn't stand him. You remember that Wartje had three houses - one in Poland, one in the Ardennes, and one in Norway - so that he could carry out his many tasks. In Norway he always had problems with jealous trolls. Now, Wartje rode a large fox who ran more swiftly than the wind. He could travel from one house to another, even with his wife and goldsmithing tools aboard, in less than one night. . . . "
__
A Conversation with Tomte Haroldson
"It seemed a shame to us that you might send the book to the publisher without our first having had a talk. For now we come to point three: balances. Let me begin this way. All of us come from the universe and the earth - indeed, you people say it yourselves: 'Of dust man was made, and to dust will he return!' Of course, we'll all return to the universe and the earth. But we have remained true to our origins, while you haven't. Our relation with the earth rests on harmony, yours rests on abuse - abuse of living and dead matter."
"Not everyone does this," we protested.
"Fortunately not. But mankind as a whole leaves behind it a trail of destruction and exploitation."
"Don't gnomes ever upset nature's balance?"
"No. Man runs wildly about in the world of today and lives almost always at nature's expense. The gnome has found peace in the world of yesterday and is satisfied with what it has to offer. There won't be any change in this . . . "
. . .
"But human beings long for the restoration of nature, as she was in her old glory."
"And that's why we must proceed in three ways: the restoration of instinct, the restoration of balance in nature, and less striving for power."
. . .
"When we see the idiotic and ugly things you do, we can only shake our heads in wonder."
-Axel Munthe
Fascinating, Mysterious, and Superbly Educational.
This beautiful volume brings back many childhood memories. I was given a little collection of gnome books by my adopted grandparents. I still have a few treasures from my early childhood, including a music box and other books given me by the same couple. Sadly, my original gnome storybooks have been lost.
I was working at Borders Bookstore 2010-2011. When Borders went out of business in 2011, I bought this book during the liquidation sale. As a child, I also vaguely remember watching gnome cartoons. Sometimes I get confused about my earliest memories about what was reality and what was a dream - but I'm pretty sure I met those gnomes.
In 2013-2014, I went in search of gnomes and fairies in my new home of Boulder, Colorado where I've lived since 2006. I didn't have a vehicle for a few years, but in 2013, I bought my first scooter and was able to explore some magical fairylands in the foothills where the creeks run into the city. In September 2013, Boulder experienced historic flooding which wiped out many of the paths through these magical fairylands. In the years since, many of the Boulder Trails have been made to circumnavigate the most special places where paths once went right though, but there are still a few places left where I can visit the gnomes and fairies. Even when the trails lead into the fairylands, I notice few people pay these places much attention - running through in such a hurry, they have no idea what is right before them.
Favorite Passages:
The droll riddling rhyme from the opera Hansel und Gretel -
A little man stands in the woods, still and alone;
His smock is of bright purple and with purple thread is sewn.
Prey tell: who is this little man . . . who stand upon just one leg . . .
- has nothing to do with gnomes; it concerns a toadstool, most likely the fly fungus. The confusion probably stems from the unproven folk belief that gnomes, in times of danger, can transform themselves into toadstools.
_______
Gnomes do not so much see the material presence of those before them; rather, they probe the real self and view the landscape therein to such an extent that no secrets remain.
_______
When forced to tread on bare ground, the gnome makes use of a bird's - foot pattern printed in relief on the soles of his boots. With this cunning aid he disguises his travels.
_______
Sense of direction (as good as a homing pigeon, migratory bird). Compasses are not used. If a gnome receives one as a gift he generally hangs it on the living-room wall.
_______
The house gnome is a special sort. He resembles an ordinary gnome but he has the most knowledge of mankind. Owing to the fact that he often inhabits historic old houses, he has seen both rich and poor, and heard a great deal. He speaks and understands man's language; gnome kings are chosen from his family.
_______
Every now and then a gnome family will inhabit a windmill.
_______
Gnomes have their own secret way of telling time, based on cosmic oscillation. It is no trick at all for them to predict long-term periods of dry or wet weather, severe or mild winters. Excepting this, however, they use our method of timekeeping. Some of them have silver or gold watches. The cuckoo clock that hangs in every gnome's house is the traditional wedding present given to the groom on his wedding day.
A gnome keeps track of his age through the growth of an acorn planted in the ground on his day of birth.
As soon s the tree is large enough, it is marked with runic writing by the parents. At the same time a copy is carved in a flat stone or on a clay tablet, and this plaque is given to the gnome in question on his 25th birthday; he keeps it in a secret place for the rest of his life. Very large old oak trees sometimes bear the runic writings of more than one gnome born in the same year.
Gnomes visit their birthday tree yearly on Midsummer Eve and add a mark to the runic script. Sometimes they even live under the tree, so they can easily check on their age when in doubt.
________
When he is about 10o the male gnome begins to think of marriage; a small number do, however, remain single. The youthful gnome then begins to search for his girl. In doing so, he sometimes has to travel great distances because gnomes are few and far between and the number of eligible girls of his age not related to him is very limited. Plump womenfolk, round of form, are the favorite.
________
The wedding is a simple ceremony (except among the nobility).
At midnight, under the bride's birthday tree, the young couple, attended by parents and close friends, promise to be eternally true.
________
On warm spring evenings they love to let the thrush lead the singing, then they follow with their own dreamy, melancholic variations on that theme.
Later, when the thrush and blackbird are asleep, they thrill to the louder, more metallic, sounds of the nightingale.
________
The Chimney (also an air vent) The chimney of the future stove is connected to a woodpecker's hole.
________
The bride's wedding present, a dowry chest, is placed in another corner of the boot room. The chest rests on low feet and is beautifully carved and painted. Departing visitors are given presents that have been stored in the chest. These may be natural things, useful implements, or writings to be pondered upon, such as an odd sentence, a poem, or a profound proverb that may take a long time to understand.
________
A hilarious sight is a gnome busy filling his storeroom while behind his back a hamster is busy emptying it. Naturally, when this is detected, a lot of bickering follows.
________
If it is not yet dark enough, the gnome waits besides a friendly rabbit until deeper darkness falls.
________
The gnome is a born carpenter and joiner. He makes all his own furniture - cupboards, chairs, benches, and so on - without using a single nail. Everything is constructed with dovetail joints, wooden dowels, and glue. Little metal hardware is used; even cupboard doors are hinged by vertical wooden pins at top and bottom.
________
Constructing bird houses is a labor of love for the gnome.
All are made to measure. We see them hanging in isolated places in the woods. Out of gratitude, nesting birds allow the gnome to examine their eggs and take home any unfertilized specimens to eat.
________
Obviously, gnomes maintain close contact with animals. They are, shall we say, on the same wavelength.
This means, of course, that the gnome speaks their language and understands their problems. All animals - even the troublesome ones already mentioned, such as the polecat, rat, etc. - feel safe with the gnome and are trusted by him. The cat, however remains an exception - especially the wild domestic cat, who is not a member of the natural animal world and is completely unreliable.
________
Gnomes have known about acupuncture for many thousands of years. They use gold and silver needles.
________
Horses in a stable or meadow will never step on a gnome! (Neither do cows or other large animals.) Without fear, the gnome can walk about between horses' legs or even sleep under them.
________
Spiders are not especially friends of the gnome; but a gnome will never destroy a web, because that might bring bad luck.
________
The old children's rhyme "Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home, Your house is on fire . . . ," which makes her actually fly away, originated with gnome children.
________
Gnome children, like children everywhere, love to swing. There is always a place in the bushes to hang the ropes. In the dunes or meadows, the father builds a swing for them. (Incidentally, adult gnomes like to swing gently when pondering serious problems.)
________
Bowling is played at the edge of a meadow with dried, odorless rabbit droppings; and a respectful audience of rabbits looks on.
________
Among themselves gnomes speak their own language. But since we come in contact only with solitary gnomes, we never hear it. (They can become very difficult if asked about their language.) It is certain, however, that animals understand it. "Goodnight" is slitzweitz, and "thank you" is te diews. We did not progress much beyond these few words mainly because the gnomes master man's languages perfectly. And if they cannot place a word, they immediately ask its meaning. Their written language is the ancient runic script.
________
House Ghosts
This sort is very often confused with the gnome because they take on many shapes, including that of the gnome - and sometimes also of a rat, cat, or black dog. In their natural state they are invisible to man, but they can become visible in these forms. They make a lot of noise in the house at night; they live between the walls, in the attic or in the cellar, in the stable, in the shed, sometimes even in a large tree beside the house. They are not particularly intelligent, and remain friendly as long as they are treated well. They like to tease lazy people by pulling the blankets off their beds and sending icy drafts through the room. They also delight in knocking over milk pails and keeping people awake by constantly tapping on the walls.
When made very angry, they become malevolent.
_______
Trolls
Stupid, primitive, distrustful, and unbelievably ugly creatures. They have noses like cucumbers, and a tail. They are horribly strong and fast, and they stink.
_______
River Spirits, Wood and Mountain Nymphs
Rarified, often invisible, beings who can take on any form; they are powerful in the magic arts. Neither good nor ill-natured as such, they avoid all trouble by simply withdrawing. But if they are pushed too far, disasters can occur. They can shed tears in a dismal fashion or laugh lugubriously; often they spy with one eye from behind a tree.
____
The gnome doesn't have much to do with elves, goblins, house ghosts, dwarfs, river, wood, or mountain nymphs, uldras, sorcerers, witches or werewolves, fire ghosts or fairies. He simply avoids them.
Gnomes have great difficulty with trolls, however, especially in northern Europe, Russia, and Siberia. These disturbers of the peace - meddlesome and aggressive as they are - cause endless harm to man an animals, with whom the gnome has good relations and toward whom he feels a responsibility.
Fortunately, beyond his cave the troll has no power over the gnome. Besides, the gnome is much more clever. Still, if a troll happens to catch a gnome, the most gruesome things can happen.
____
Far worse treatment awaits a gnome if he falls into the hands of a snotgurgle, of whom, mercifully, only two or three exist in the world. The snotgurgle is as large as troll (is perhaps even related to him from primeval times), has six black-clawed fingers on each hand, enormous flat feet with seven toes on each foot. His greasy, stinky body hair is infested with lice and fleas - which seem not to bother him. Hair covers him from head to toe, even on his face, where, between greasy locks, only his gleaming idiotic eyes can be seen.
Snotgurgles can live to be 2,000 years old, and they are born thieves. In their caves they have huge collections of gold, silver, and precious stones, which they have stolen from men throughout the years. Everything stinks of bugs.
A gnome in the power of a snotgurgle has little chance of survival. There is the case of one Olie Hamerslag (now 385 years old) who resides in the drained marshes near the Berezina. His legs were amputated by a snotgurgle who ran him through a string bean cutting machine. This gnome cunningly succeeded in escaping afterward. He was then flown home by a speckled crow, has used wooden legs for more than seventy years, and now you could hardly know it.
____
In thunderstorms the gnome is in little danger of being struck by lightning because he is so small. If the storm really starts to rage, he takes shelter under a beech, because these trees do not attract lightning. Gnomes know the old German rhyme to ward off lightning (the hammer of Thor):
Oak should be avoided,
Don't stand under a willow,
The pine is in danger,
But beech may be safely sought.
_______
The only danger that may befall gnomes in Winter, especially in hilly terrain, is that if they are out walking they may get rolled up in a natural snowball as it tumbles downhill. Many a stunned gnome has been seen picking himself up out of the remains of a snowball that has splattered open against a wall or a mountain chalet.
____
"Have I told you how Wartje got back the gold and precious stones a dragon had stolen and returned them to the elves of Thaja?"
"Yes."
"And how, to save the life of a little human girl who lay dying, he plucked a life-giving herb from an island in Siberia that was guarded by a ferocious dinosaur?"
"Yes."
"And how, during a storm, he slipped off the back of an osprey and fell into the middle of the bewitched lake of Warnas, and was brought to shore by a blind carp?"
"Yes."
"And how he was captured by the trolls?"
"No."
"All right then. Wartje was always falling out with trolls. As he was far too clever, they couldn't stand him. You remember that Wartje had three houses - one in Poland, one in the Ardennes, and one in Norway - so that he could carry out his many tasks. In Norway he always had problems with jealous trolls. Now, Wartje rode a large fox who ran more swiftly than the wind. He could travel from one house to another, even with his wife and goldsmithing tools aboard, in less than one night. . . . "
__
A Conversation with Tomte Haroldson
"It seemed a shame to us that you might send the book to the publisher without our first having had a talk. For now we come to point three: balances. Let me begin this way. All of us come from the universe and the earth - indeed, you people say it yourselves: 'Of dust man was made, and to dust will he return!' Of course, we'll all return to the universe and the earth. But we have remained true to our origins, while you haven't. Our relation with the earth rests on harmony, yours rests on abuse - abuse of living and dead matter."
"Not everyone does this," we protested.
"Fortunately not. But mankind as a whole leaves behind it a trail of destruction and exploitation."
"Don't gnomes ever upset nature's balance?"
"No. Man runs wildly about in the world of today and lives almost always at nature's expense. The gnome has found peace in the world of yesterday and is satisfied with what it has to offer. There won't be any change in this . . . "
. . .
"But human beings long for the restoration of nature, as she was in her old glory."
"And that's why we must proceed in three ways: the restoration of instinct, the restoration of balance in nature, and less striving for power."
. . .
"When we see the idiotic and ugly things you do, we can only shake our heads in wonder."
October 11, 2018
The festival able of Beltane this fun book full of illustrations & serious facts for 'nuts' like me who believe in fairy's at the bottom of the garden instead of weeds.
If enjoy good fun this book you love.
If enjoy good fun this book you love.
November 24, 2018
It's weird how popular this was. A lovely coffee table book about gnomes. Go figure.
February 14, 2021
This is not a Dungeons & Dragons book, but its release coincided with the rise in popularity of that game, and it covered a theme highly relevant to D&D (gnomes are one of the playable races in AD&D, which started its release in 1978). Certainly, among the people I knew at the time, there was a high incidence of ownership of this book among gamers. I recall being somewhat fascinated by the illustrations, but disappointed that nothing in it could really be used in a by-the-book campaign.
All these years later, it’s obvious to me that the authors had no intention of appealing to that audience, although they were responding to the rising interest in fantasy in a similarly creative way. The book pretends to be a natural history of gnomes, based on field observation by scientists, but it remains whimsical and imaginative in its portrayal of gnome culture. It’s even slightly a nod to the rising popularity of “garden gnomes.” Towards the end, it also becomes a bit of an appeal for environmentalism and social justice, although it doesn’t commit itself heavily here. The real appeal is for people who enjoy magic, and like the artistic style. I has the advantage of being a book that can be read by (or to) children, but which has enough depth to be returned to later in life, to find new fascinations.
All these years later, it’s obvious to me that the authors had no intention of appealing to that audience, although they were responding to the rising interest in fantasy in a similarly creative way. The book pretends to be a natural history of gnomes, based on field observation by scientists, but it remains whimsical and imaginative in its portrayal of gnome culture. It’s even slightly a nod to the rising popularity of “garden gnomes.” Towards the end, it also becomes a bit of an appeal for environmentalism and social justice, although it doesn’t commit itself heavily here. The real appeal is for people who enjoy magic, and like the artistic style. I has the advantage of being a book that can be read by (or to) children, but which has enough depth to be returned to later in life, to find new fascinations.
December 20, 2024
3.5
Koselig ‘’fakta’’ bok skrevet om nisser som jeg fant hjemme hos mine foreldre! Flotte vannmalings illustrasjoner.
Koselig ‘’fakta’’ bok skrevet om nisser som jeg fant hjemme hos mine foreldre! Flotte vannmalings illustrasjoner.
January 27, 2015
It has become apparent that I have well and truly lost my sense of magic. When I was a teenager I was entranced by Gnomes. My school library stocked it as a reference item, and many a lunchtime was spent poring over it. Eventually I left school and Gnomes behind, but for many years wished I could find another copy and revisit the world of Gnomes. Imagine my excitement then when I discovered a second hand copy at a local bookstore. I eagerly handed over my $3, rushed it home, and discovered… the magic had vanished.
No longer was I enchanted by the cute escapades and illustrations of these tiny people. Instead I found myself questioning the sexism of the male gnomes being fully responsible for all the labour, and the confinement of females almost exclusively to the home. I was horrified that daddy gnomes left nearly all of the parenting of daughters to the mother, and wondered if gnomes really were as sickeningly perfect as the book portrayed.
I suppose growing up is one of the sad inevitabilities of life. But for those who are still young, and those successfully fighting the habit of growing up, enjoy Gnomes while you still can. Reading it truly is a delightful experience.
No longer was I enchanted by the cute escapades and illustrations of these tiny people. Instead I found myself questioning the sexism of the male gnomes being fully responsible for all the labour, and the confinement of females almost exclusively to the home. I was horrified that daddy gnomes left nearly all of the parenting of daughters to the mother, and wondered if gnomes really were as sickeningly perfect as the book portrayed.
I suppose growing up is one of the sad inevitabilities of life. But for those who are still young, and those successfully fighting the habit of growing up, enjoy Gnomes while you still can. Reading it truly is a delightful experience.
March 7, 2022
I remember seeing this book many times in bookstores over the years and always loved the iconic cover. I never had an interest in gnomes but, since becoming a grandmother to little girls who are entranced by gnomes and fairies, I am hooked. I found this online and just think it is a classic. The art work, the mechanical drawings, the level of detail and ironic humor is thoroughly entertaining. There are some scary trolls but overall the illustrations are magical.
December 17, 2025
very, very cute book about Gnomes. Tongue in cheek. I was very fascinated with it when I was a child, and I still remember it to this day.
Update: Found a copy of this book in English in a used bookstore. Excellent condition, considering its age. Yes, it came home with me.
Update: Found a copy of this book in English in a used bookstore. Excellent condition, considering its age. Yes, it came home with me.
May 1, 2013
il mio libro amatissimo da piccola.
August 17, 2020
Some of the writing is of course pretty dated (with some sexist themes). If you can look past that, the imagery and quaint cozy woodland ambience of the book are lovely.
November 1, 2018
This is one beautiful if slightly weird book for both children and older people as it’s a ride into a beautiful fantasy world. In a way it is perfect for autumn evening with the coziness and long walks around forest that the gnomes take. It is also a bit dark and violent sometimes in the Brothers Grimm’s kind of way. I personally like it but some of the stories were disturbing for my 5-year-old and we had to make up some further stories about the characters together, which was also fun. What I didn’t like were the very technical fragments that I found simply boring but that’s me and it’s very subjective. I would prefer to learn more about the court and the society of gnomes as such and not all the technical details of the machines they use. But the illustrations are so beautiful you may forgive this and more.
September 23, 2020
Gnomes... who doesn’t love them?
January 7, 2024
What an amazing exercise in world building. Breathtaking and charming art from Poortvliet with an outstanding level of detail about the life and habits of Gnomes by Huygen. The book acts like a naturalistic book taking you through gnome activities and lifestyle, through their interactions with the natural world, some other magical things, and some fun stories. It ends with a gnome lecturing the authors about mankind's lust for power and destruction of nature which really gets to the heart. This book is genuinely something for the whole family (as long as you don't mind some gnome anatomy).
December 6, 2007
This was one of my absolute favorite books when I was young. My wonderful mother bought it for me as a birthday present on year, and it filled me with a sense of wonder. I would spend some of my afternoons wandering the forest, looking for potential gnome homes amidst the trees. My eyes ready to spot a pointed red cap, peeking out from behind a pile of twigs. This book still enchants me. A fabulous gift for children of any age.
March 3, 2009
My favorite line so far (aside from the fun illustrations):
"although the female gnome has a substantial bosom, decreased gravity (at her height) allows her to go through life unencumbered by a brassiere."
"although the female gnome has a substantial bosom, decreased gravity (at her height) allows her to go through life unencumbered by a brassiere."
October 26, 2011
How can I not have added this to my library before? I have had my edition since I was a child ( It was my lovely dad's)Its so worn and well loved that I'm almost afraid to take it from the shelf in case it falls apart.
An absolute joy.
An absolute joy.
April 14, 2022
This book has landed on my favorites list. It contains the most detailed explanations of all aspects of gnome life, things you'd never even think to ask but definitely want to know. The watercolors are delightful.
May 6, 2010
Gotta love the gnomes! Had this book when I was a child, and really really hoped I would run into a gnome somewhere in the woods one day! Loved it.
March 20, 2013
If nothing else, it teaches that chamomile tea can help treat flatulence.
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