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Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts and Other Folklore Creatures
'Katharine M. Briggs should have a statue in every town square in Britain.' -Philip Pullman
A beautifully illustrated A-Z of British folklore - in all its beauty, wonder and eccentricity.
Katharine Mary Briggs (1898-1980) was a British folklorist, scholar and author, recognised today as the most important archivist of British folktales. Over the course of her life, she published fourteen books, lectured widely and was president of The Folklore Society. Her books were read and used by contemporaries including J.R.R. Tolkein. To reflect the monumental work Briggs did to collect, catalogue and publish folk stories from Britain and Ireland before the turn of the 21st century, The Folklore Society present an annual award in her honour.
This new edition of one of Briggs' seminal works is a dictionary of folklore creatures and tales, illustrated in rich, vivid detail by artist Fee Greening. From brownies to Shetland selkies, Cornish spriggans to Nuckelavee (the most horrid of monsters in all of Britain) Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies is a treasury of stories, songs and creatures passed down from one generation to the next.
A beautifully illustrated A-Z of British folklore - in all its beauty, wonder and eccentricity.
Katharine Mary Briggs (1898-1980) was a British folklorist, scholar and author, recognised today as the most important archivist of British folktales. Over the course of her life, she published fourteen books, lectured widely and was president of The Folklore Society. Her books were read and used by contemporaries including J.R.R. Tolkein. To reflect the monumental work Briggs did to collect, catalogue and publish folk stories from Britain and Ireland before the turn of the 21st century, The Folklore Society present an annual award in her honour.
This new edition of one of Briggs' seminal works is a dictionary of folklore creatures and tales, illustrated in rich, vivid detail by artist Fee Greening. From brownies to Shetland selkies, Cornish spriggans to Nuckelavee (the most horrid of monsters in all of Britain) Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies is a treasury of stories, songs and creatures passed down from one generation to the next.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2025
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208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
August 24, 2025
First of all I will say that I have been intrigued by this book since Heather Fawcett mentioned it in her December 2023 newsletter where she cited Briggs's Encyclopedia of Faeries as being part of the folklore that inspired her Emily Wilde series. However it's been devilishly out of print and exorbitant to get a hold of so I'm glad it's not only getting a reprint, but a lovely looking one with art printed directly on the hardback and numerous illustrations throughout.
Okay, those are all my praises (and the illustrations/production alone account for a full star). Unfortunately I find that this book didn't live up to my hopes and expectations. There's an exceptional number of entries here, but I find that they're all a bit weaker and watered down for it. An example entry in its entirety:
You can see that the language is pretty simple and repetitive, the entry is not very descriptive or differentiated from other entries (horse-shifting is a recurring trait), and though this is one of the ones with an anecdote, it's very bare bones and not fleshed out or memorable or evocative at all.
It's not all bad, as there's occasionally a longer entry that's more memorable and interesting. The Buttery Spirits are a fun warning for stingy landlords who try to cheat their patrons out of coin by cutting corners (eg by watering down the wine and getting the cheapest, worst cuts of meat), and that's much more akin to what I was hoping for all the other beings mentioned in the book.
Because of this, I would have much preferred if the number of entries was halved or even quatered so that only the best ones were included, and those could be expanded on with at least 1-2 notable folktales including that particular creature. Even solely using this as a reference, I find that the entries are too paltry to even work as scaffolding and I think I'd have more success on Wikipedia. Which is a damn shame.
I showed a few to my spouse and he mentioned that he was expecting it to be more like Mythopedia: An Encyclopedia of Mythical Beasts and Their Magical Tales and that he would've preferred something akin to that. The dictionary is a different book from Mythopedia, serving a different audience, so I just think it's useful for people to know both what this book is and what it's not so they can make an informed decision before purchasing.
Thank you to Octopus Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Okay, those are all my praises (and the illustrations/production alone account for a full star). Unfortunately I find that this book didn't live up to my hopes and expectations. There's an exceptional number of entries here, but I find that they're all a bit weaker and watered down for it. An example entry in its entirety:
CABYLL-USHTEY
The cabyll-ushtey is the water-horse of the Isle of Man, as dangerous as the Highland water-horse, though not so many stories are told about it. There was a very wicked one who visited Kerroo Clough on the Dark River for a time. A farmer’s wife found one of her calves missing, and next day the farmer saw a monstrous thing rise out of the river which seized one of the calves and tore it to pieces. They drove all the cattle far away from the river after that, but a far worse thing happened to them. Their daughter disappeared and was never seen again. After that the cabyll-ushtey left the river and never came back.
You can see that the language is pretty simple and repetitive, the entry is not very descriptive or differentiated from other entries (horse-shifting is a recurring trait), and though this is one of the ones with an anecdote, it's very bare bones and not fleshed out or memorable or evocative at all.
It's not all bad, as there's occasionally a longer entry that's more memorable and interesting. The Buttery Spirits are a fun warning for stingy landlords who try to cheat their patrons out of coin by cutting corners (eg by watering down the wine and getting the cheapest, worst cuts of meat), and that's much more akin to what I was hoping for all the other beings mentioned in the book.
Because of this, I would have much preferred if the number of entries was halved or even quatered so that only the best ones were included, and those could be expanded on with at least 1-2 notable folktales including that particular creature. Even solely using this as a reference, I find that the entries are too paltry to even work as scaffolding and I think I'd have more success on Wikipedia. Which is a damn shame.
I showed a few to my spouse and he mentioned that he was expecting it to be more like Mythopedia: An Encyclopedia of Mythical Beasts and Their Magical Tales and that he would've preferred something akin to that. The dictionary is a different book from Mythopedia, serving a different audience, so I just think it's useful for people to know both what this book is and what it's not so they can make an informed decision before purchasing.
Thank you to Octopus Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 4, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
I really wasn’t sure how to rate this, as there really is good content in here, and I do like the illustrations. However, the inclusion of a slur just tanked the entire rating. I understand this is a reprint. However, if you can correct spelling mistakes and change the foreword, there's nothing stopping you from changing a homophobic word in the book. Really, though, as some British words and older words have different meanings, I had no idea from the context what it even meant, but it doesn't matter. Everyone knows what it means today.
If they had edited that out, I would have rated this book a 5 star. There is enough hate in the world, and there is no reason to add to it. Words matter.
I really wasn’t sure how to rate this, as there really is good content in here, and I do like the illustrations. However, the inclusion of a slur just tanked the entire rating. I understand this is a reprint. However, if you can correct spelling mistakes and change the foreword, there's nothing stopping you from changing a homophobic word in the book. Really, though, as some British words and older words have different meanings, I had no idea from the context what it even meant, but it doesn't matter. Everyone knows what it means today.
If they had edited that out, I would have rated this book a 5 star. There is enough hate in the world, and there is no reason to add to it. Words matter.
January 15, 2026
⭐ 3.75
Katharine Briggs’s work remains a foundational authority on British folklore, making this abbreviated digital release of A Dictionary of Fairies a significant update for those who previously found her physical Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, & Other Supernatural Creatures difficult to access due to lack of ebook format.
As a fantasy romance reader, I found the historical and contextual insights into the origins of the fae lore helpful for grounding modern tropes. The dictionary’s scope is much broader than the Fae typically found in contemporary romantasy. It catalogs a wide range of folklore creatures (including banshees, redcaps, and selkies) that occassionally appear as secondary characters in the genre.
I was particularly interested in the entries on the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, though fantasy readers accustomed to the lore of modern fantasy may find these specific sections relatively brief.
Additionally, Briggs also goes over distinctions between British folklore and other traditions, like Scandinavian myths, where these creatures overlap.
While certainly not required reading, this is a useful overview for anyone new to the genre or for fans of lore-heavy series like The Cruel Prince, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, or A Kiss of Iron, who want to understand the traditional roots of the worlds they enjoy.
This review is based on an ARC provided by Octopus Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Katharine Briggs’s work remains a foundational authority on British folklore, making this abbreviated digital release of A Dictionary of Fairies a significant update for those who previously found her physical Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, & Other Supernatural Creatures difficult to access due to lack of ebook format.
As a fantasy romance reader, I found the historical and contextual insights into the origins of the fae lore helpful for grounding modern tropes. The dictionary’s scope is much broader than the Fae typically found in contemporary romantasy. It catalogs a wide range of folklore creatures (including banshees, redcaps, and selkies) that occassionally appear as secondary characters in the genre.
I was particularly interested in the entries on the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, though fantasy readers accustomed to the lore of modern fantasy may find these specific sections relatively brief.
Additionally, Briggs also goes over distinctions between British folklore and other traditions, like Scandinavian myths, where these creatures overlap.
While certainly not required reading, this is a useful overview for anyone new to the genre or for fans of lore-heavy series like The Cruel Prince, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, or A Kiss of Iron, who want to understand the traditional roots of the worlds they enjoy.
This review is based on an ARC provided by Octopus Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing US | Monoray for this free copy of Brigg's Dictionary of Fairies re-edition! It's so beautiful, perfect for fantasy readers, and fascinating for people who love folk (just like me). The cover is amazing, with a color palette and design reflecting nature, in connection with the book theme. The illustrations are of great quality, but only in black and white. I think this dictionary would have been perfect with colored ones. The dictionary is really complete, and in some cases it even has the corresponding pronunciation. I like that at the end you can find the bibliography, so if you want to know more you can look up the information you need. I think this is a pretty complete reference guide for readers and writers as well.
July 30, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
I have always enjoyed folklore and fairytales, so this book intrigued me as soon as I saw the title and cover. I orginally had no idea that this was a reprint, however that didn't hinder my enjoyment at all.
Brigg's Dictionary of Fairies is exactly that. This is a reference book that explains all the tales and folklore surrounding faries and other mystical creatures. It includes information, stories, and images.
I definitely didn't expect to ever read a reference book cover to cover, but it was so easy to do so with this one. I really enjoyed reading about all the types of creatures, and I liked a lot of the stories that were included in here. Even though there were definitely some I didn't care about as much, it's still nice to have the history and orgin of these tales all in one place.
As a fantasy reader, I also really liked getting to see where a lot of creatures in books are inspired from. It is mentioned at the beginning of this book that some big name authors have used Brigg's work as a reference in writing their own, and I could definitely see the connections that had been made.
I have always enjoyed folklore and fairytales, so this book intrigued me as soon as I saw the title and cover. I orginally had no idea that this was a reprint, however that didn't hinder my enjoyment at all.
Brigg's Dictionary of Fairies is exactly that. This is a reference book that explains all the tales and folklore surrounding faries and other mystical creatures. It includes information, stories, and images.
I definitely didn't expect to ever read a reference book cover to cover, but it was so easy to do so with this one. I really enjoyed reading about all the types of creatures, and I liked a lot of the stories that were included in here. Even though there were definitely some I didn't care about as much, it's still nice to have the history and orgin of these tales all in one place.
As a fantasy reader, I also really liked getting to see where a lot of creatures in books are inspired from. It is mentioned at the beginning of this book that some big name authors have used Brigg's work as a reference in writing their own, and I could definitely see the connections that had been made.
July 29, 2025
Delightful. I’ve a new appreciation for the letter “F” — Fairy brides, Fenoderee, Finvarra! This whimsical dictionary is filled to the brim with spectacular discoveries as well as familiar creatures that inspired some of our most beloved modern tales.
Numerous artworks help lessen the density of the text; more illustrations would have been even better. The simple, charming pen and ink artistry by Fee Greening throughout this work are reminiscent of 14th century printmaking, an appropriate homage to all the years these beloved myths have endured.
With a gorgeous cover and a trove of history and magic within, this alphabetized guide is a must have for the shelf of any folklore enthusiast.
I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley, and I leave this honest review freely.
Numerous artworks help lessen the density of the text; more illustrations would have been even better. The simple, charming pen and ink artistry by Fee Greening throughout this work are reminiscent of 14th century printmaking, an appropriate homage to all the years these beloved myths have endured.
With a gorgeous cover and a trove of history and magic within, this alphabetized guide is a must have for the shelf of any folklore enthusiast.
I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley, and I leave this honest review freely.
July 24, 2025
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a hard one to review as for one it isn't a new release but an old beloved work - one I have had my eye on for a while so it came as a nice surprise to see it up as an ARC. It wasn't until later that I realised that this is apparently an abridged version which was a bit of a let down.
The book itself was nice but also fell a little short compared to more contemporary books of its kind. On one hand I appreciated the writing and how it very much felt like we are talking about true beings. It was also a nice mixture of a few sample stories where the creatures appeared in as well as comparisons to counterparts from other countries. And yes, the whole thing felt a little messy - there was no consistency and some entries were much longer whereas others left me wanting more.
The illustrations were nice but I think there is room for a lot more given the subject material. Perhaps they wanted to stay true to the original artworks, but overall my feelings towards this book as a whole was just wanting more.
August 4, 2025
As a lifelong fan of folktales I've spent years hoping to find a copy of this book in a secondhand store, so I'm very excited it's finally getting a new edition.
This is a great book for anyone who loves folklore and fairy tales. It has a wealth of information and introduces it in a fun and whimsical way. There are nice illustrations throughout, and it's organized very well.
I am, however, disappointed that it's abridged. I feel like the fans have waited long enough for a new edition and deserve a full edition. This is a perfectly serviceable edition, but I think longtime fans will be a bit disappointed with the abridgement.
Thank you to Octopus Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
This is a great book for anyone who loves folklore and fairy tales. It has a wealth of information and introduces it in a fun and whimsical way. There are nice illustrations throughout, and it's organized very well.
I am, however, disappointed that it's abridged. I feel like the fans have waited long enough for a new edition and deserve a full edition. This is a perfectly serviceable edition, but I think longtime fans will be a bit disappointed with the abridgement.
Thank you to Octopus Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
December 30, 2025
more like a 3.5! The illustrations were gorgeous in this, and I want to find more about Katherine Briggs’ biography as a female folklorist in the twentieth century. I liked too the dictionary format for this reprint of her collection from the ‘70s as it ties in sweetly with “Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries” and a lot of authors—Heather Fawcett and Phillip Pullman among them—hail Briggs’ folklore collections as being the premiere for U.K. faery stories. However, I didn’t think this was the best-written or most comprehensive folklore guide—I guess they edited this a lot from Briggs’ original collection. Anyways, always love learning more about the fae and connecting with my selkie lore
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September 3, 2025Thank you to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing US for an eARC in exchange for an honest review
What a wonderful little reference book of stories and fantastical creatures! As I look into whether or not I pursue a Masters in Folklore Studies, I am loving immersing myself in the traditions and histories of the UK.
There was an interesting mix here of real people's testimonies and the author's own discussions and definitions and I would recommend this to other readers of fantasy - even just for the thrill of realising you know many of the creatures here already!
What a wonderful little reference book of stories and fantastical creatures! As I look into whether or not I pursue a Masters in Folklore Studies, I am loving immersing myself in the traditions and histories of the UK.
There was an interesting mix here of real people's testimonies and the author's own discussions and definitions and I would recommend this to other readers of fantasy - even just for the thrill of realising you know many of the creatures here already!
January 24, 2026
I loved this - I had no idea how many modern fantasy creations were based on folklore passed down through time: boggarts, grims, dobbys, shapeshifter black dogs with fiery eyes called “padfoots”, a “brown man of the muirs” who surely must have been the inspiration for Radagast, and cannibal witches with iron claws… it’s all here. And the illustrations make it really special.
July 22, 2025
A beautiful update to a beloved work that will now be made accessible to a new generation. This edition of Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies is filled with wonderful black and white line drawings by Fee Greening. Perfect for lovers of British folklore, I know this is a book I will be adding to my bookshelf so that I can go back and reference often as a lover of folklore and fairytales.
I received a digital version of this edition, in exchange for my honest opinion, from NetGalley.
I received a digital version of this edition, in exchange for my honest opinion, from NetGalley.
August 29, 2025
3.75, rounded up to 4 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I started reading this at the airport with my daughter, and we had the best time flipping through all the different tales. As a big fantasy reader, I loved seeing how these stories connect to the characters I already enjoy, and it made me wonder just how many unique folktales exist out there—almost like they could have been real.
The illustrations were beautiful and really brought each tale to life. Overall, it’s a fun, magical, and interesting book that I truly enjoyed ♥️
I started reading this at the airport with my daughter, and we had the best time flipping through all the different tales. As a big fantasy reader, I loved seeing how these stories connect to the characters I already enjoy, and it made me wonder just how many unique folktales exist out there—almost like they could have been real.
The illustrations were beautiful and really brought each tale to life. Overall, it’s a fun, magical, and interesting book that I truly enjoyed ♥️
July 29, 2025
This book was so fun! I loved reading about all the different folklore creatures and also getting to see beautiful illustrations of them! This book would definitely make a beautiful display piece in any folklore lovers home ❤️ Not only did we get pictures and names of all the creatures, but they were all described in kind of a short story format and I loved it! There were so many creatures that I have never heard of! This was not a novel. It was a dictionary. So, I can say with 100% certainty that I've never saw a more unique dictionary than this one. With that being said, 5 ⭐️ for presentation!
Thank you to Octopus Publishing US, the author & illustrator, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and expand my knowledge of the folklore creatures!! Unfortunately, I received this ARC in digital format 😞 I would have LOVED to put this gem on display in my house to share with all my house guests. So, I'm excited to buy the physical copy when it is released ❤️
Thank you to Octopus Publishing US, the author & illustrator, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and expand my knowledge of the folklore creatures!! Unfortunately, I received this ARC in digital format 😞 I would have LOVED to put this gem on display in my house to share with all my house guests. So, I'm excited to buy the physical copy when it is released ❤️
September 21, 2025
Katherine Brigg’s work is well known to anyone interested in books of fairies and folklore. She published a number of works. The Dictionary of Fairies or Encyclopaedia of Fairies is perhaps the best known. Her works appear to have been republished and repackaged under different names and titles at different points.
It is hard to work out exactly what the relationship between the book republished here is and some of the other publications but a brief review suggests this is a shorter and less comprehensive version than some. The page count of others is over 500 pages, this not quite half that. The descriptions of other versions suggest entries not present here.
What we do have is an attractively presented hardback book. It is illustrated throughout and includes full colour pages. That said, the illustrations are not wholly to my taste: they appear to be designed to be reminiscent of woodcuts or engravings in a slightly naive style, but lack the a little of the charm required to make that sing.
The text, unsurprisingly, makes clear why her works is so well thought of: easy to read and with a great balance of entertaining detail and pithy description. As ever with these sorts of books, I would prefer some footnotes to indicate the source of the material but I suspect most readers won’t be concerned.
Given the sometimes astronomical prices previous editions of Katherine Brigg’s books often command, it’s no surprise someone has looked to republish at a reasonable price point. Although I had heard of the book, I don’t own an earlier copy because it’s never seemed affordable. I can’t compare it directly with older versions but this is I fear a less comprehensive version than the out of print ones.
It is hard to work out exactly what the relationship between the book republished here is and some of the other publications but a brief review suggests this is a shorter and less comprehensive version than some. The page count of others is over 500 pages, this not quite half that. The descriptions of other versions suggest entries not present here.
What we do have is an attractively presented hardback book. It is illustrated throughout and includes full colour pages. That said, the illustrations are not wholly to my taste: they appear to be designed to be reminiscent of woodcuts or engravings in a slightly naive style, but lack the a little of the charm required to make that sing.
The text, unsurprisingly, makes clear why her works is so well thought of: easy to read and with a great balance of entertaining detail and pithy description. As ever with these sorts of books, I would prefer some footnotes to indicate the source of the material but I suspect most readers won’t be concerned.
Given the sometimes astronomical prices previous editions of Katherine Brigg’s books often command, it’s no surprise someone has looked to republish at a reasonable price point. Although I had heard of the book, I don’t own an earlier copy because it’s never seemed affordable. I can’t compare it directly with older versions but this is I fear a less comprehensive version than the out of print ones.
January 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing for a digital ARC of “Briggs’ Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts, and Other Folklore Creatures.”
Not every dictionary can be enjoyed in a cover-to-cover reading, but Briggs’ Dictionary reads more like a book of brief fairytales (conveniently arranged in alphabetical order) rather than a typical reference text.
This book is a helpful guide for readers seeking to understand creatures and legends within fantasy literature or for writers in need of inspiration. The author includes descriptions and anecdotes, and the “see also” notes are quite useful in linking related entries. Illustrations throughout the text add another fanciful element and help the reader to visualize certain creatures.
Please be aware that this book is not the same as Briggs’ “A Dictionary of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures” or her other works that have 450+ pages. This dictionary is ~200 pages, so it’s not as comprehensive as the author’s other texts. However, if you’re looking for an abbreviated guide to the world of fairies and its inhabitants, this dictionary is a good resource.
Content Warning: This book was originally published in 1979, and it includes folktales with archaic language that may have negative connotations today. Also, some of the stories are dark, containing violence, kidnapping, or death (similar to original versions of fairytales).
Overall, this dictionary is a good reference text, and I would recommend it to anyone needing to know more about trows, hobgoblins, dragons, and the like. Happy reading!
Not every dictionary can be enjoyed in a cover-to-cover reading, but Briggs’ Dictionary reads more like a book of brief fairytales (conveniently arranged in alphabetical order) rather than a typical reference text.
This book is a helpful guide for readers seeking to understand creatures and legends within fantasy literature or for writers in need of inspiration. The author includes descriptions and anecdotes, and the “see also” notes are quite useful in linking related entries. Illustrations throughout the text add another fanciful element and help the reader to visualize certain creatures.
Please be aware that this book is not the same as Briggs’ “A Dictionary of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures” or her other works that have 450+ pages. This dictionary is ~200 pages, so it’s not as comprehensive as the author’s other texts. However, if you’re looking for an abbreviated guide to the world of fairies and its inhabitants, this dictionary is a good resource.
Content Warning: This book was originally published in 1979, and it includes folktales with archaic language that may have negative connotations today. Also, some of the stories are dark, containing violence, kidnapping, or death (similar to original versions of fairytales).
Overall, this dictionary is a good reference text, and I would recommend it to anyone needing to know more about trows, hobgoblins, dragons, and the like. Happy reading!
August 22, 2025
Briggs’s Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts & Other Folklore Creatures
Katharine Briggs & Fee Greening
This book was originally published in 1979 under the title of Abbey Lubbers, Banshees and Boggarts: A Who’s Who of Fairies. There are minor changes.
Author Katharine Mary Briggs played an important role in British Folklorist. She wrote 14 books.
Apple-Tree Man is a sample of the many folk stories in this book.
There was a family with two brothers. The eldest brother was about 12 years old. He worked hard every day, but his father ignored him. The youngest brother was kept at home where his father babied, protected, and spoiled him. When the father died the youngest son inherited everything. He bestowed bits of the estate to other family members but to his eldest brother he gave his father’s old weak oxen, an old skin and bones donkey, and allowed him to rent his father’s old run-down cottage. The eldest cut good grass and fed it to the ass and he massaged the oxen with herbs. The donkey and oxen grew stronger; they grazed on the grass in the apple orchard; their manure fed the trees. The eldest brother helped the oxen, ass and trees but did not earn any money. The youngest brother reminded the eldest that Christmas Eve was the next evening and the animals would be talking. He wanted the eldest to ask the ass where the buried treasure was hidden. The next morning the eldest did his chores. The oldest tree in the orchard told him where the treasure was buried. He found a small chest filled with gold. The Apple-Tree Man told the eldest brother to take the gold and keep it but not to tell anyone. The youngest brother came looking for the treasure. He overheard the ox and ass talking but never found the treasure.
Among other stories there is AughSky an Irish water horse. Barguest a bogey-beast. Black Annis was a cannibal hag with a blue face and iron Claws that lived in a cave in the Dane Hills.
The illustrations would have been better with color. This is a dictionary and for the most part defines each creature. There are a few stories or partial stories that say just enough to explain the creature.
I received a digital copy of this book for review purposes. My reviews are my unbiased opinions.
Katharine Briggs & Fee Greening
This book was originally published in 1979 under the title of Abbey Lubbers, Banshees and Boggarts: A Who’s Who of Fairies. There are minor changes.
Author Katharine Mary Briggs played an important role in British Folklorist. She wrote 14 books.
Apple-Tree Man is a sample of the many folk stories in this book.
There was a family with two brothers. The eldest brother was about 12 years old. He worked hard every day, but his father ignored him. The youngest brother was kept at home where his father babied, protected, and spoiled him. When the father died the youngest son inherited everything. He bestowed bits of the estate to other family members but to his eldest brother he gave his father’s old weak oxen, an old skin and bones donkey, and allowed him to rent his father’s old run-down cottage. The eldest cut good grass and fed it to the ass and he massaged the oxen with herbs. The donkey and oxen grew stronger; they grazed on the grass in the apple orchard; their manure fed the trees. The eldest brother helped the oxen, ass and trees but did not earn any money. The youngest brother reminded the eldest that Christmas Eve was the next evening and the animals would be talking. He wanted the eldest to ask the ass where the buried treasure was hidden. The next morning the eldest did his chores. The oldest tree in the orchard told him where the treasure was buried. He found a small chest filled with gold. The Apple-Tree Man told the eldest brother to take the gold and keep it but not to tell anyone. The youngest brother came looking for the treasure. He overheard the ox and ass talking but never found the treasure.
Among other stories there is AughSky an Irish water horse. Barguest a bogey-beast. Black Annis was a cannibal hag with a blue face and iron Claws that lived in a cave in the Dane Hills.
The illustrations would have been better with color. This is a dictionary and for the most part defines each creature. There are a few stories or partial stories that say just enough to explain the creature.
I received a digital copy of this book for review purposes. My reviews are my unbiased opinions.
August 20, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, Octopus Publishing and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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If you’ve ever wondered what lurks in the hedgerows of British folklore, or just want to know what an Awdgoggie is, this charming reference guide is your ticket to the strange and whimsical world of faerie creatures.
Originally published in 1979 under the title Abbey Lubbers, Banshees and Boggarts: A Who’s Who of Fairies, this edition is a streamlined version of Katharine Briggs’s classic. It trims some of the researcher's commentary, making it a breezier read for folklore fans, fantasy writers, or anyone who enjoys a brief bedtime tale with a touch of the uncanny.
Even if you think you know your fairies, this book will surprise you. Sure, there are your usual banshees, brownies and boggarts, but then come the curveballs: Barguests, Hedley Kows, Each Uisges, and yes—Awdgoggies. These aren’t your garden-variety pixies; they’re regional legends from across the UK, each with its own quirks, stories, and sometimes alarming habits. Briggs doesn’t just define them, she maps their origins and shares anecdotes, even distinguishing between Cornish and Devon Piskies (because apparently, fairy politics are very local).
The illustrations by Fee Greening lend a gothic feel to the tome. Her dip pen and ink drawings evoke the feel of medieval woodcuts, giving the whole volume the vibe of a grimoire-lite you’d find in a dusty library in an ancient manor. It’s the perfect visual match for the subject matter.
I found it shed some light on beloved modern day texts. For example there is a creature known as a "Padfoot", generally seen as a big black dog with fiery eyes associated with death. Remind anyone else of Sirius Black and "The Grim" in Harry Potter?
If you love folklore, fairy tales, or just want to impress people by casually dropping a “Hedley Kow” into conversation, this book is a must-have. It’s informative, beautifully illustrated, and just weird enough to keep you turning pages.
======================================
If you’ve ever wondered what lurks in the hedgerows of British folklore, or just want to know what an Awdgoggie is, this charming reference guide is your ticket to the strange and whimsical world of faerie creatures.
Originally published in 1979 under the title Abbey Lubbers, Banshees and Boggarts: A Who’s Who of Fairies, this edition is a streamlined version of Katharine Briggs’s classic. It trims some of the researcher's commentary, making it a breezier read for folklore fans, fantasy writers, or anyone who enjoys a brief bedtime tale with a touch of the uncanny.
Even if you think you know your fairies, this book will surprise you. Sure, there are your usual banshees, brownies and boggarts, but then come the curveballs: Barguests, Hedley Kows, Each Uisges, and yes—Awdgoggies. These aren’t your garden-variety pixies; they’re regional legends from across the UK, each with its own quirks, stories, and sometimes alarming habits. Briggs doesn’t just define them, she maps their origins and shares anecdotes, even distinguishing between Cornish and Devon Piskies (because apparently, fairy politics are very local).
The illustrations by Fee Greening lend a gothic feel to the tome. Her dip pen and ink drawings evoke the feel of medieval woodcuts, giving the whole volume the vibe of a grimoire-lite you’d find in a dusty library in an ancient manor. It’s the perfect visual match for the subject matter.
I found it shed some light on beloved modern day texts. For example there is a creature known as a "Padfoot", generally seen as a big black dog with fiery eyes associated with death. Remind anyone else of Sirius Black and "The Grim" in Harry Potter?
If you love folklore, fairy tales, or just want to impress people by casually dropping a “Hedley Kow” into conversation, this book is a must-have. It’s informative, beautifully illustrated, and just weird enough to keep you turning pages.
September 5, 2025
As I've been wanting to get a copy of Briggs's Encyclopedia of Fairies for some time now, I was overjoyed to see that a new edition was coming out and even more excited to finally get my hands on copy. Like many, I'd been daunted by the price that the out of print work currently commands and was hesitant to spend that much on a book (no matter how legendary) that I hadn't actually read.
Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts and Other Folklore Creatures did not disappoint! The book proves why earlier editions were so very treasured by lovers of folklore and stories. (As I understand, earlier US editions were called an "encyclopedia" whereas the old British publications used "dictionary.") It is a delightful collection of magical creatures, complete with brief tales featuring man of them. I was very pleased with the anecdotes included and the lovely authorial voice that came through as these dictionary type collections can easily become very dry as each entry is by necessity fairly brief. I have to point out my favorite recorded encounter was, to my surprise, a changeling one. So many folklore collections seem to tell the same story over and over of this creature (brew ale in an eggshell to get it to "blow its cover" and leave). Happily, Briggs's work included a beautiful account of a fairy who comes to the humans in order to reclaim her own child, who had been swapped by her folk without her consent. She assists the humans in getting their own baby back and all ends happily with each parent reunited with their own child. I have to confess that I wish this tale got the retellings and reworkings that stories like the Fairy Midwife do!
The illustrations by Fee Greening are an exquisite addition to the text. Like the stories themselves, they are rather old fashioned and a bit sparse. They are also completely, utterly enchanting and enough to make me want a physical copy of the book on their own. I've been encouraged lately at the inclusion of illustrations in "grown up books" lately and I hope that the trend continues if the quality is anywhere near what these show!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-copy to review.
Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts and Other Folklore Creatures did not disappoint! The book proves why earlier editions were so very treasured by lovers of folklore and stories. (As I understand, earlier US editions were called an "encyclopedia" whereas the old British publications used "dictionary.") It is a delightful collection of magical creatures, complete with brief tales featuring man of them. I was very pleased with the anecdotes included and the lovely authorial voice that came through as these dictionary type collections can easily become very dry as each entry is by necessity fairly brief. I have to point out my favorite recorded encounter was, to my surprise, a changeling one. So many folklore collections seem to tell the same story over and over of this creature (brew ale in an eggshell to get it to "blow its cover" and leave). Happily, Briggs's work included a beautiful account of a fairy who comes to the humans in order to reclaim her own child, who had been swapped by her folk without her consent. She assists the humans in getting their own baby back and all ends happily with each parent reunited with their own child. I have to confess that I wish this tale got the retellings and reworkings that stories like the Fairy Midwife do!
The illustrations by Fee Greening are an exquisite addition to the text. Like the stories themselves, they are rather old fashioned and a bit sparse. They are also completely, utterly enchanting and enough to make me want a physical copy of the book on their own. I've been encouraged lately at the inclusion of illustrations in "grown up books" lately and I hope that the trend continues if the quality is anywhere near what these show!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-copy to review.
January 20, 2026
First off, I want to start off by stating that I realize this is a reprint and its intention is to stay true to the original work, but that doesn't mean it's not without its complications.
The book is filled with information on fairies, and I can see people who enjoy folklore enjoying this dictionary. It felt well-informed, and there were parts I found truly interesting. However, the placement of some of the illustrations felt entirely random. It felt as if half of them were thrown in as an afterthought rather than to coincide with the fairies that were being spoken of at a given time. Some of the illustrations were even added in more than once, which disrupted the flow of the book even more. They were beautiful illustrations; they were just poorly utilized.
Another issue I had with this dictionary of fairies was that some of the fairies were merely described, while others went into full stories of them. It made it seem disjointed to have it mixed like that. It would've been better to stick to one or the other, not switching back and forth between both. While it may be there are no distinct stories for some of the fairies described, it still made parts of the dictionary feel unfinished because of it.
The last thing I found undesirable was the random photos of the author thrown in the middle of a book. I feel like they would have been better suited as a treat at the end of the book. Although, they were still nice to see, and I appreciated getting a glimpse of the original author through the pictures provide.
Overall, this book was okay. It was informative, and it would make a nice gift for people who like fairies.
Thank you NetGalley and Octopus Publishing US for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book is filled with information on fairies, and I can see people who enjoy folklore enjoying this dictionary. It felt well-informed, and there were parts I found truly interesting. However, the placement of some of the illustrations felt entirely random. It felt as if half of them were thrown in as an afterthought rather than to coincide with the fairies that were being spoken of at a given time. Some of the illustrations were even added in more than once, which disrupted the flow of the book even more. They were beautiful illustrations; they were just poorly utilized.
Another issue I had with this dictionary of fairies was that some of the fairies were merely described, while others went into full stories of them. It made it seem disjointed to have it mixed like that. It would've been better to stick to one or the other, not switching back and forth between both. While it may be there are no distinct stories for some of the fairies described, it still made parts of the dictionary feel unfinished because of it.
The last thing I found undesirable was the random photos of the author thrown in the middle of a book. I feel like they would have been better suited as a treat at the end of the book. Although, they were still nice to see, and I appreciated getting a glimpse of the original author through the pictures provide.
Overall, this book was okay. It was informative, and it would make a nice gift for people who like fairies.
Thank you NetGalley and Octopus Publishing US for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2026
Thank you to Octopus Publishing NetGalley for this free ARC.
✔️ Thoughts
The illustrations throughout the book as well as the cover are beautiful. Illustrator Fee Greening uses a style inspired by medieval and Gothic fairytales, which perfectly fits a reference book on this subject. My favourites were the illustrations of the black dogs (my being a Harry Potter and Tolkien fan). These drawings helped break up the text into manageable parts, making the experience feel less like reading a dry textbook.
The text itself is clear and easy to read. However, If you aren't used to older British text or the specific slang that's used in tradional poems, songs and stories, it may be a little difficult to follow along at first.
My biggest takeaway— apart from discovering new folk tales—was realizing how many I knew. Brownies, for example, like the Aiken Drum, can be driven away by clothing. For those who've read Harry Potter, we know that's what releases House Elves from service. I also smiled when across the entry for a 'Dobby' and saw an illustration of him wearing a little hat. 😊
I also recognised the Afancs and the Sidhe from watching the BBC fantasy show Merlin (which I highly recommend if want a fun, adventurous retelling of Arthurian legends).
Also, interesting touch were the photos of Katharine Briggs, showing her from her childhood all the way up through her prime. Most of the pictures feature her sister, Elspeth.
This abridged version is perfect for those looking up terms they've come across in other stories or for those who are just curious about British folklore. I look forward to reading the full, unabridged version in the future! 😊
✔️ Thoughts
The illustrations throughout the book as well as the cover are beautiful. Illustrator Fee Greening uses a style inspired by medieval and Gothic fairytales, which perfectly fits a reference book on this subject. My favourites were the illustrations of the black dogs (my being a Harry Potter and Tolkien fan). These drawings helped break up the text into manageable parts, making the experience feel less like reading a dry textbook.
The text itself is clear and easy to read. However, If you aren't used to older British text or the specific slang that's used in tradional poems, songs and stories, it may be a little difficult to follow along at first.
My biggest takeaway— apart from discovering new folk tales—was realizing how many I knew. Brownies, for example, like the Aiken Drum, can be driven away by clothing. For those who've read Harry Potter, we know that's what releases House Elves from service. I also smiled when across the entry for a 'Dobby' and saw an illustration of him wearing a little hat. 😊
I also recognised the Afancs and the Sidhe from watching the BBC fantasy show Merlin (which I highly recommend if want a fun, adventurous retelling of Arthurian legends).
Also, interesting touch were the photos of Katharine Briggs, showing her from her childhood all the way up through her prime. Most of the pictures feature her sister, Elspeth.
This abridged version is perfect for those looking up terms they've come across in other stories or for those who are just curious about British folklore. I look forward to reading the full, unabridged version in the future! 😊
August 6, 2025
This was an interesting read. I enjoy folklore and think this would be a worthwhile reference if you're looking to compare older fairies, learn about the origins of their myths, or find a quick story related to a particular critter.
I enjoyed the referenced accounts passed down or recorded by people over the years about encountering these various creatures as well. The art throughout was also a ton of fun and added to the overall character of the book.
I also appreciated that at a couple of points, we are told that the following is a simplified story or account from folklore, but then are given the name of a reference to follow up with if so desired.
One sticking point for me was that, while there were clearly choices made to omit some of the details of various stories or include modern meanings to make older language parsable, there was at least one occurrence of a term that, in its story would have been harmless, but is now a slur. This is a scenario that, at the very least, I would have thought warranted a brief explanation of what was meant at the time to differentiate it from its current meaning. That being said, the phrase could also have been replaced with a description rather than a direct quote at that point as well.
Overall, this was well made and beautifully illustrated. If you're looking for a reference for fairy folklore this is a good pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing US for the opportunity to read "Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts, and Other Folklore" in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the referenced accounts passed down or recorded by people over the years about encountering these various creatures as well. The art throughout was also a ton of fun and added to the overall character of the book.
I also appreciated that at a couple of points, we are told that the following is a simplified story or account from folklore, but then are given the name of a reference to follow up with if so desired.
One sticking point for me was that, while there were clearly choices made to omit some of the details of various stories or include modern meanings to make older language parsable, there was at least one occurrence of a term that, in its story would have been harmless, but is now a slur. This is a scenario that, at the very least, I would have thought warranted a brief explanation of what was meant at the time to differentiate it from its current meaning. That being said, the phrase could also have been replaced with a description rather than a direct quote at that point as well.
Overall, this was well made and beautifully illustrated. If you're looking for a reference for fairy folklore this is a good pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing US for the opportunity to read "Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies: Banshees, Boggarts, and Other Folklore" in exchange for an honest review.
September 4, 2025
3.5 ⭐
If you read Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and wished you could read the MC's research, this book is for you. I believe Heather Fawcett is even on record saying that she based her story on Katharine Briggs' research, and it's clear why. You can tell a lot of work and love went into compiling all the entries in this book.
In this encyclopedia full of illustrations, stories, poems and folk songs you’ll learn that Danish elves are beautiful from the front but hollow from behind, like rotten trees, which is why they never turn around when they dance, and that people used to mistake the sound of geese honking for Gabriel Hounds—flying dogs with human heads.
Some entries are short, basic descriptions of the creature, others are notable stories about the subjects, spanning pages, and some entries are tales about individuals of specific species.
The Pros: This book is a must-have for anyone who is into fantasy and folklore. It's a great reference and it's full of interesting tales from people told long ago. The illustrations are beautiful, and it's not a very daunting read. This book would make a great gift.
The Cons: While some entries read very much like short stories on their own, this book is very much an actual dictionary/encyclopedia and sometimes reads like one. It's not something you can sit down with and read for long bouts of time, and it can very dry at times.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book but not something I was super excited to pick up and read every day. Definitely a good coffee table book, however.
If you read Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and wished you could read the MC's research, this book is for you. I believe Heather Fawcett is even on record saying that she based her story on Katharine Briggs' research, and it's clear why. You can tell a lot of work and love went into compiling all the entries in this book.
In this encyclopedia full of illustrations, stories, poems and folk songs you’ll learn that Danish elves are beautiful from the front but hollow from behind, like rotten trees, which is why they never turn around when they dance, and that people used to mistake the sound of geese honking for Gabriel Hounds—flying dogs with human heads.
Some entries are short, basic descriptions of the creature, others are notable stories about the subjects, spanning pages, and some entries are tales about individuals of specific species.
The Pros: This book is a must-have for anyone who is into fantasy and folklore. It's a great reference and it's full of interesting tales from people told long ago. The illustrations are beautiful, and it's not a very daunting read. This book would make a great gift.
The Cons: While some entries read very much like short stories on their own, this book is very much an actual dictionary/encyclopedia and sometimes reads like one. It's not something you can sit down with and read for long bouts of time, and it can very dry at times.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book but not something I was super excited to pick up and read every day. Definitely a good coffee table book, however.
January 18, 2026
In my childhood years, being gifted a book like this would have sent me jumping up and down all the armchairs and beds in my house. Though I'm sure that feeling would have dissipated once, having reads some of its pages, I realized that it was slightly dull and mundane.
You see, I was quite excited to hear of Katharine Briggs's work being rereleased, as the previous edition is notoriously hard, if not impossible, to come across now. So when an eARC appeared on Netgalley, I immediately requested it. The language I found there was simple, unenticing, uninteresting; new sentences making little effort to say more than those who came before them. Objectively speaking, the entries are inconsistent: some too short to elicit any sort of curiosity, some too long and redundant. The art style is cute, but feels quite barren and minimalistic for this kind of book.
This book will defend itself stating that it takes its information from the source material, which had a much smaller font and over 400 pages. A quick glance tells you that only some fraction of that material was selected from previous editions, and compiled into a new (better?) one, whose audience is yet to be determined. Is this then a book for children who are drawn to folklore and stories like I was? Or is it for the adults who grew up on these same stories and are looking for that feeling of familiar magic?
Thanks to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
You see, I was quite excited to hear of Katharine Briggs's work being rereleased, as the previous edition is notoriously hard, if not impossible, to come across now. So when an eARC appeared on Netgalley, I immediately requested it. The language I found there was simple, unenticing, uninteresting; new sentences making little effort to say more than those who came before them. Objectively speaking, the entries are inconsistent: some too short to elicit any sort of curiosity, some too long and redundant. The art style is cute, but feels quite barren and minimalistic for this kind of book.
This book will defend itself stating that it takes its information from the source material, which had a much smaller font and over 400 pages. A quick glance tells you that only some fraction of that material was selected from previous editions, and compiled into a new (better?) one, whose audience is yet to be determined. Is this then a book for children who are drawn to folklore and stories like I was? Or is it for the adults who grew up on these same stories and are looking for that feeling of familiar magic?
Thanks to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
September 1, 2025
Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies is a comprehensive guide to the folklore and fairies of the British Isles. This is a re-release of an older book, originally published in 1979. The illustrations by Fee Greening are woodcut-engraving style line drawings that hearken back to those included in the early days of fantasy novels.
This is a non-fiction book, and can potentially be an accompaniment to the current popular books of fairies.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this - possibly a highly illustrated pictorial "bird spotter" type guide - instead this is a detailed encyclopedia of the wights and fair folk of the British Isles. It was really fun to read this and spot the fairies I've encountered in fictional books, see similar creatures across different regions, and even see the ones who have inspired other works.
This book does not delve into prosaic potential origins of the myths; rather it takes them at face value, accepting the reality of the fair folk - they just *are*. Some entries are a simple description of the creatures; referencing another similar variant that is more detailed; others are accompanied by stories and anecdotes.
A great reference book for folklorists, writers, and those with a love of fairy stories.
~This is a NetGalley ARC. All opinions are my own~
This is a non-fiction book, and can potentially be an accompaniment to the current popular books of fairies.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this - possibly a highly illustrated pictorial "bird spotter" type guide - instead this is a detailed encyclopedia of the wights and fair folk of the British Isles. It was really fun to read this and spot the fairies I've encountered in fictional books, see similar creatures across different regions, and even see the ones who have inspired other works.
This book does not delve into prosaic potential origins of the myths; rather it takes them at face value, accepting the reality of the fair folk - they just *are*. Some entries are a simple description of the creatures; referencing another similar variant that is more detailed; others are accompanied by stories and anecdotes.
A great reference book for folklorists, writers, and those with a love of fairy stories.
~This is a NetGalley ARC. All opinions are my own~
December 20, 2025
Briggs's Dictionary of Fairies is an abridged version of a book of the same title except where it was published as The Encyclopedia of Fairies .
This particular copy is more a compilation of fairy stories that are alphabetically organized via name rather than a full dictionary. And although each entry provides the reader with some description, behavior and history, the focus is on sharing cultural takes that have been passed down.
The majority of the entries are focused on fae folk from various parts of the United Kingdom with a few tips of the hat to some Scandinavian individuals.
The book is also rather inconsistent with its pronunciations as it only provides some help for some rather more extreme looking names whil leaving some others up to the reader to figure out, especially if you are not from the United Kingdom.
Added illustrations throughout the book are a tribute to the illustrations that one would find in old manuscripts. There are two collections of these monochromatic pieces collected and given a color update to further add to the book along with black-and-white photographs of the original author.
All in all it is a good start to fae lore, fantasy and/or folklore for any who are into any of those subjects as well as a fine tribute to an amazing folklorist.
This particular copy is more a compilation of fairy stories that are alphabetically organized via name rather than a full dictionary. And although each entry provides the reader with some description, behavior and history, the focus is on sharing cultural takes that have been passed down.
The majority of the entries are focused on fae folk from various parts of the United Kingdom with a few tips of the hat to some Scandinavian individuals.
The book is also rather inconsistent with its pronunciations as it only provides some help for some rather more extreme looking names whil leaving some others up to the reader to figure out, especially if you are not from the United Kingdom.
Added illustrations throughout the book are a tribute to the illustrations that one would find in old manuscripts. There are two collections of these monochromatic pieces collected and given a color update to further add to the book along with black-and-white photographs of the original author.
All in all it is a good start to fae lore, fantasy and/or folklore for any who are into any of those subjects as well as a fine tribute to an amazing folklorist.
August 4, 2025
"There area the big and the little, the beautiful and the ugly, the trooping fairies and the solitary fairies."
I absolutely love anything to do with folklore, it doesn't matter which region it hails from or what pantheon it's written about. I find all of it fascinating and fun to read. Katharine Briggs was an amazing folklorist, among other things. I already have her "The Fairies in Tradition and Literature", but have always wanted her "Dictionary of Fairies", so being able to read this piece (which seems like a condensed version) was a great pleasure thanks to Octopus Publishing US and NetGalley. I was very happy to be able to read and review it.
This book was fantastic, filled with stories and descriptions of fairies from A-Z. Many of these stories were passed down for generations and the original writing of Briggs was from earlier in the 19th century. I didn't count how many different fairies or tales were in the book, but there were definitely a lot. I eventually would love to acquire the longer version of this book, but for now I am quite content with this one. My opinions on this book are my own and I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who really enjoys folklore and fairies.
I absolutely love anything to do with folklore, it doesn't matter which region it hails from or what pantheon it's written about. I find all of it fascinating and fun to read. Katharine Briggs was an amazing folklorist, among other things. I already have her "The Fairies in Tradition and Literature", but have always wanted her "Dictionary of Fairies", so being able to read this piece (which seems like a condensed version) was a great pleasure thanks to Octopus Publishing US and NetGalley. I was very happy to be able to read and review it.
This book was fantastic, filled with stories and descriptions of fairies from A-Z. Many of these stories were passed down for generations and the original writing of Briggs was from earlier in the 19th century. I didn't count how many different fairies or tales were in the book, but there were definitely a lot. I eventually would love to acquire the longer version of this book, but for now I am quite content with this one. My opinions on this book are my own and I highly recommend it, especially to anyone who really enjoys folklore and fairies.
January 26, 2026
Briggs Dictionary of Fairies surprised me in the best way. This September 2025 edition is a new release of Katharine Briggs’s original work, which I wasn’t familiar with going in. Because of that, I expected something far more fanciful than what this actually is. Instead, it’s deeply informative and scholarly without ever feeling dry, and that turned out to be part of its charm.
True to its title, this is very much a dictionary. Entries cover a wide range of fairies and other magical creatures from many cultures and traditions around the world. It isn’t a narrative history or a story-driven exploration, but a reference work meant for dipping into, browsing, and returning to again and again.
The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and give the book a distinctly luxurious feel. It’s one of those volumes that feels fancy just sitting on a shelf. If magical creatures are one of the things you love most about fantasy, this would make a beautiful and useful addition to your collection. It would be especially valuable for fantasy writers looking for inspiration or grounding in folklore.
I’m glad I had the chance to peruse this one. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was exactly what it promised to be.
True to its title, this is very much a dictionary. Entries cover a wide range of fairies and other magical creatures from many cultures and traditions around the world. It isn’t a narrative history or a story-driven exploration, but a reference work meant for dipping into, browsing, and returning to again and again.
The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and give the book a distinctly luxurious feel. It’s one of those volumes that feels fancy just sitting on a shelf. If magical creatures are one of the things you love most about fantasy, this would make a beautiful and useful addition to your collection. It would be especially valuable for fantasy writers looking for inspiration or grounding in folklore.
I’m glad I had the chance to peruse this one. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was exactly what it promised to be.
August 4, 2025
This is a lovely, mostly fairly whimsical book about all types of folk creatures, mostly focusing on ones from Great Britain. I found this very informative, as I learned some things that I did not previously know about folklore and I am someone who already knew a good bit about folklore and read a lot of fantasy books with fairy creatures in them. I'll definitely be using this as reference material in the future for my creative writing. The illustrations are also beautiful. I'm glad that the publishers didn't avoid including any of the darker fairy creatures, as they're still important to learn about to get a more complete picture.
I was not bothered by the inclusions of the words "faggot" and "queer" in their historical context, as another reviewer of this book was. I don't think there's a particular need to edit them out — if someone doesn't know what the other meanings of the words are, they can just look it up. I'm gay and I don't think it increased stigma or was used as a slur or in an offensive way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Octopus Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I was not bothered by the inclusions of the words "faggot" and "queer" in their historical context, as another reviewer of this book was. I don't think there's a particular need to edit them out — if someone doesn't know what the other meanings of the words are, they can just look it up. I'm gay and I don't think it increased stigma or was used as a slur or in an offensive way.
Thank you to Netgalley and Octopus Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 20, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for letting me delve into this rerelease of ‘Briggs Dictionary of Fairies’, aka UK’s ‘An Encyclopedia of Fairies’. As a historian I truly enjoyed this collection of stories that gives a comprehensive overview of many of the supernatural creatures of the British Isles, with the honorary mentions from the European Continent from time to time. The fact that it not only describes each of the entities/beings, but also includes examples in stories is wonderful. And it makes the suggestions of what other names to look under, because regionality is strong over there. The woodcuttings included were wonderful and added to the ambience that you were reading ancient lore. I ranked it as a solid 4.5 (Goodreads doesn’t do half stars) only because books like this I personally prefer a physical book in these instances so I am able to make connections to historical events and my other studies.
In short, if you love folklore/fairytales/fantasy that has British/Irish/Welsh/Scottish influences, this is an excellent read. If you are an author trying to write with elements of the previous sentence, please read this first.
In short, if you love folklore/fairytales/fantasy that has British/Irish/Welsh/Scottish influences, this is an excellent read. If you are an author trying to write with elements of the previous sentence, please read this first.
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