Case of the Cottingley Fairies

by Joe Cooper

This biography examines whether two cousins, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, really witnessed and photographed fairies in the suburb of Cottingley in Bradford over 70 years ago. It questions why people such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edward Gardner were convinced that the photographs were genuine. This text reveals what the author discovered about the case of the Cottingley fairies, as he worked with the two cousins for six years for the purpose of his research, and found that some of their prevarications become confessions. However, it also explains how, to her death Frances maintained that "There were fairies at Cottingley", and how one of the photographs has never been satisfactorily explained. Giving an insider's perspective on the case of the Cottingley fairies, this biography reveals a great deal about the human will to believe the incredible.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Fairies, Research, British Literature

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

Reviews

[Carolyn Gandouin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been interested in the Cottingley fairies since I was a child. Those famous old photographs, of cousins Elsie and Frances with the fairies, certainly look fake - one does not have to be a cynic to think so - but I so wanted them to be genuine. I really wanted to believe that those girls had seen, communicated with and successfully photographed "natural spirits" down at the beck behind their Yorkshire home. At the time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the theosophist Edward Gardner and many others also wanted to believe in the genuine nature of the photographs. Elsie and Frances maintained, for most of their lives, that the fairies and gnome depicted in the photographs were real, though described, later in their lives, as "figments of our imagination". Although I knew that the photographs were not real, I felt unaccoutably disappointed by the confession, involving cut-outs and hatpins, towards the end of the book. The desire, or the will, to believe in things can be quite illogical and very strong, a concept that this book examines sympathetically.
This book is a balanced, interesting account of the case of the Cottingley fairies, written by an "insider" (the author Joe Cooper spoke to and corresponded with Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths many times, and was also an advisor on the film "Fairytale: A True Story", also about this case).
I enjoyed reading this book very much, but would still prefer to believe that those fairy photographs were genuine . . .

[Zosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember being interested in the Cottingley Fairies when I was younger and this little book does a good job presenting the facts in an unbiased manner while upholding the integrity of Frances and Elsie. A short and rather old book, but still worth reading if you can find a copy.

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always found the account of the Cottingley fairies fascinating, not least because of how it seems to work on us and make us want to believe. As if it taps into the part of child hood we tidy away when we stop believing in Father Christmas and yanks a few threads, reawakening that innocent sense of wonder at a world where anything could happen. This is now an infamous hoax and yet there are still eements which are unexplained - I really like that in a mystery ;)


As an account this is not in the least unbiased. Joe Cooper tells us from the start that he is a believer and wanted the photos to be real.However his declared bias actually adds credibility to his account - as do the numerous letters, fact collecting missions and recorded conversations he gleaned from those involved. The end result? Well actually it's hard to say. On one hand the photos couldn't possibly be real - if someone tried that today they'd be laughed out of the dark room. But back in 1920? There's a greater mystery beneath the hoax which no one ever really gets close too, although Cooper tries. Ultimately despite his personal bias, Cooper presents the facts in an unvarnished way that lead us to the conclusion of it being a hoax and even a little about why. Either way if you like a look at the potentially paranormal or at how hoaxes develop and start to take on a life of their own or are even a student of the human animal and want to know what makes people tick, then this is a good book to take a look at.

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairies, do they exist? Well Elsie and Frances have taken many photos of them, movies have been made a,bout their claim, and now a book has been written.
Beautifully told. the reader, is taken on a magical journey of wonder and left believing in Fairies,
Told to Joe Cooper, Elsie and Frances tell, him the story of how in 1917 they saw their first Fairy, The reader comes away from the book, wanting so much to visit Cottingley, in the hope of seeing a fairy,

[Erin Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Mick Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

an easy read of a well known story.it didn't shed any new light(no pun Intended)on the subject.it still divides people into those that believe and don't believe a bit like religion.

[JP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read about yesteryear's fake news.

[Tabatha Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely read. I wonder what Elsie and Frances would have made of the book. And of course what the fairies thought!

[Vicki Marmillot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped this would be more about the children and the fairies but it’s more about the author and his story of writing the story.