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The Faerie Thorn and other stories
‘Man Donaghy crept silently around the back of the farmhouse and over the field to the faerie thorn. The thorn was shimmering as he knelt before it. Whispering directly to the roots of the tree, Man Donaghy said, “I want you to take Wife Donaghy.”’
Jane Talbot’s seven bewitching tales will draw you into a world of fairy tales and magick, a world of devilish debts, trysts and trades, of broken bargains and unjust trials, of quick-wittedness, of hoodwinking, of revenge.
A dark, tender, dazzling collection that will make you remember why you love stories.
The stories in this collection follow many conventions associated with traditional, oral storytelling. For this reason, as well as enjoying the stories in the privacy of your own head, you might also find that they’re even better when read aloud and shared with others.
Jane Talbot’s seven bewitching tales will draw you into a world of fairy tales and magick, a world of devilish debts, trysts and trades, of broken bargains and unjust trials, of quick-wittedness, of hoodwinking, of revenge.
A dark, tender, dazzling collection that will make you remember why you love stories.
The stories in this collection follow many conventions associated with traditional, oral storytelling. For this reason, as well as enjoying the stories in the privacy of your own head, you might also find that they’re even better when read aloud and shared with others.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 14, 2020
Absolutely gorgeous! Jane Talbot is a fine oral storyteller, and that gift crosses over to her written work - you can't read these stories without thinking of them spoken, and indeed the flow of the narrative in my favourite tale, The Merrow of Murlough Bay, was so wonderful that I ended up reading it aloud to myself. There's a deep humanity and compassion in the storytelling, though the writer does not shy away from the more violent and gruesome elements in the original Irish tales on which these stories are based. There are seven stories in the book, plus the author's interesting notes and a guide to the Irish names.
A very special little book. Anyone who loves fairy tales and folklore, and appreciates an imaginative and original telling, will enjoy this.
A very special little book. Anyone who loves fairy tales and folklore, and appreciates an imaginative and original telling, will enjoy this.
April 11, 2017
I picked up The Faerie Thorn and Other Stories by Jane Talbot while visiting Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and from the moment I started reading, I was spellbound. The language is bewitching-brave; the stories dark, bizarre and enchanting. I read one story a night over a week, determined to savour a book that reminded me why fairy tales have always had my reader’s heart.
April 19, 2017
I read this in one sitting! Contemporary faerie tales that don't always make easy reading but make memorable stories that stay with you. Highly recommended
December 10, 2024
This was one of the best folktale collections I’ve ever read. The author’s use of language and flowing style immersed the reader fully in the place and magic of each story. There was darkness and light here, justice and consequences aplenty. All tales should be so perfectly told again and again.
February 27, 2017
Beautiful, bizarre and dark collection of folk-influenced tales. A magnificent debut.
The dark and brooding tales in this book remind me very much of the books of traditional Irish Fairy tales and Local Lore that I read as a child, as far from Disney as can be imagined, but it is the amazing language - poetic and bizarre - that sets this book apart from others.
I can't honestly say I have ever read a book written in quite this style before, and that's something coming from me, I never stop reading! Hugely impressive debut and I hope Ms Talbot hurries up and writes another.
The dark and brooding tales in this book remind me very much of the books of traditional Irish Fairy tales and Local Lore that I read as a child, as far from Disney as can be imagined, but it is the amazing language - poetic and bizarre - that sets this book apart from others.
I can't honestly say I have ever read a book written in quite this style before, and that's something coming from me, I never stop reading! Hugely impressive debut and I hope Ms Talbot hurries up and writes another.
August 8, 2025
Irish folklore and fairy tales are truly part of my culture but I hated the writing style, I just really didn’t gel with it at all unfortunately. 2.5 stars
July 27, 2017
This book is pure magic. I keep going back to it, both physically and in my daydreams. It's not like anything else. Even the English language is not recognisably the same. Reading it aloud is the best. It's deliciously dark in surprising ways. There are elements of old stories, but they've never had this treatment before. I wish there were 6 stars...
December 11, 2025
New Words Learnt - 11
Nice collection of fairytales (faerytales) set in the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, some which I liked more than others, but all had the unique and fairytale-ish writing style that the author brought to this book, which I thought elevated the reading experience.
The Faerie Thorn (6/10) - It had all the ingredients for a high 8 or 9, and becoming a classic faery story, but I could not get past certain aspects of the story that even in faerytale land did not make sense.
The Story of Amergin (7/10) - This is a retelling of the Legend of Amergin, and the first time I came across his story. There's not much to say other than I liked it.
The Merrow of Murlough Bay (9/10) - This was my favourite one. You experience every single emotion, the ending before the endings was extra satisfying, and the narrator at the beginning was right. It probably did hurt to tell, and definitely did hurt to read, but it was worth every word.
The Song of Hulva (7/10) - I liked the fantasy parts that preceded the main story, and the twist in the tale (if you could call it a twist, I saw it coming), but Hulva herself I wasn't too keen on.
The Spirit of The Meadow Burn (8/10) - Out of all the stories, I think this one resembled a Faerytale the most. It was also fun to read.
The Terrible Tale of Fillan McQuillan (7/10) - Not much to say other than I liked it, but boy do I not want the fate that Fillan (deservedly) got.
Seachmall (6/10) - Too short to really make much of an impression.
Nice collection of fairytales (faerytales) set in the northeast coast of Northern Ireland, some which I liked more than others, but all had the unique and fairytale-ish writing style that the author brought to this book, which I thought elevated the reading experience.
The Faerie Thorn (6/10) - It had all the ingredients for a high 8 or 9, and becoming a classic faery story, but I could not get past certain aspects of the story that even in faerytale land did not make sense.
The Story of Amergin (7/10) - This is a retelling of the Legend of Amergin, and the first time I came across his story. There's not much to say other than I liked it.
The Merrow of Murlough Bay (9/10) - This was my favourite one. You experience every single emotion, the ending before the endings was extra satisfying, and the narrator at the beginning was right. It probably did hurt to tell, and definitely did hurt to read, but it was worth every word.
The Song of Hulva (7/10) - I liked the fantasy parts that preceded the main story, and the twist in the tale (if you could call it a twist, I saw it coming), but Hulva herself I wasn't too keen on.
The Spirit of The Meadow Burn (8/10) - Out of all the stories, I think this one resembled a Faerytale the most. It was also fun to read.
The Terrible Tale of Fillan McQuillan (7/10) - Not much to say other than I liked it, but boy do I not want the fate that Fillan (deservedly) got.
Seachmall (6/10) - Too short to really make much of an impression.
August 21, 2018
This book is incredibly powerful. With each self contained short story I was consumed by darkness, heartfelt joy, trepidation, warmth, kindness, culture, tradition and the beautiful beating rhythm of Jane Talbot's narrators. Go read this book, the stories, enriched by powerful characters and fairies and trolls and astonishing creatures who live under the sea, are incredibly imaginative and full of wonderment.
September 4, 2024
This is a very nifty and immersive collection that I bought on impulse because I picked it up at a bookstore, read the first page, and decided I couldn’t put it down. The writing style is unique and immersive, and the stories are both whimsical and grotesque (as good faerie stories ought to be.) There was a certain satisfaction in the “good guy” always managing to gain the favor of the fae and of fate, and in the punishment of wrongdoing. All in all, I very much enjoyed it.
February 25, 2018
A spellbinding read, perfect introduction to Irish folklore. I’ve always loved faeries and stories surrounding them. I read this book in two sittings. The order of the stories is well thought out and you become more open minded as the world is explored.. Heart-breaking and very real emotion sit alongside not a purely children’s story.
February 22, 2022
I loved this book and the tales within it, but most of all I loved the author's lyrical descriptive style.
" It was was like the sound that the stars make when they are sliding across the night sky........................... It was like the sound of mauve twilight. "
Taken from page 7. No wonder I fell instantly in love with this book.
" It was was like the sound that the stars make when they are sliding across the night sky........................... It was like the sound of mauve twilight. "
Taken from page 7. No wonder I fell instantly in love with this book.
May 9, 2022
The author is quite a stylist. Love that I can almost hear her telling these stories, there's something so intimate about her narrative voice.
Favorite Story: The Merrow of Murlough Bay (I cried buckets)
2nd Favorite Story: The Song of Hulva
These two alone are worth the price of a book, they are so full of pathos: sorrow, violence, resignation.
Favorite Story: The Merrow of Murlough Bay (I cried buckets)
2nd Favorite Story: The Song of Hulva
These two alone are worth the price of a book, they are so full of pathos: sorrow, violence, resignation.
January 20, 2019
What a fantastic book. The stories were so well written and pulled you in until you were immersed in the magic.
March 9, 2019
Indulgence
I hail from County Antrim but I now live in Lancashire, so it’s a nostalgic indulgence to read these stories “in exile”.
I hail from County Antrim but I now live in Lancashire, so it’s a nostalgic indulgence to read these stories “in exile”.
August 31, 2019
Absolutely exceptional collection of fairy-tale-esque short stories. Really loved the use of ancient tropes but different, and the way the author uses language in a new way!
July 23, 2020
Heart-filled tales of magick and wonder. The author masterfully weaves tales with great feeling and texture that fills one's imagination. Fabulously entertaining.
January 3, 2021
Thought provoking, new type of reading for me but enjoyed it...there was a hidden moral to each story I found.
February 16, 2022
I really enjoyed those shorts stories. Inspired by folklore, the writing is impeccable and sucks you right into it. For all of you who loves fairy tales, magic lands and mysteries.
November 30, 2022
Wonderful stories told in exquisite language.
February 4, 2024
A really enchanting series of short stories that sparked my childhood imagination!
January 26, 2019
28/12-30/12
March 22, 2016
As soon as I started reading this book my body told me to pay attention. Drawn into the stories by the unique language, I found myself swimming through layers and layers of captivating story telling. The stories were told in a way that I can honestly say I have never experienced before. Reading Talbot's work is a full bodied journey. Her unique descriptions of emotions and experiences opened up new ways of comprehending my own, more human life experiences. In reading this book, I found myself laughing out loud as quickly as I found tears falling down my cheeks. I was surprised to feel so much connection to and compassion with creatures such as MerryFolk, a mother Holly Tree and a ghostly washerwoman. But Talbot's characters were brought to life in my living room and shall stay with me for a very long time.
I also learned more about creative writing and story telling, than in any English lessons and think it should be on the school curriculum as a demonstration of how to surprise and captivate your reader with a poetic and unique use of language and how to build a relationship between your readers and characters. Jane Talbot's book is a delightful genius. I was left feeling intellectually stimulated, emotionally nourished and wanting more.
I also learned more about creative writing and story telling, than in any English lessons and think it should be on the school curriculum as a demonstration of how to surprise and captivate your reader with a poetic and unique use of language and how to build a relationship between your readers and characters. Jane Talbot's book is a delightful genius. I was left feeling intellectually stimulated, emotionally nourished and wanting more.
March 20, 2016
Stonkingly good read. I really couldn't put it down. Having a great love for the Faerie Tales of my childhood I have long waited for such a book. The stories are like scrying into deep water, the stillness on the surface allows a hint of something which incites the senses to just dip your toe in, and then the undercurrent captures your imagination and before you know it you are inside a space of magic and mayhem, Faeries and Trolls not to mention the monstrously Machiavellian misfits. Ancient tales all familiar strange, whose voices work best when allowed to speak on the full moon around a fire. Each of these stories has a voice of its own and would be told, you cannot help but tell them as if under a spell. Enchanted and enthralled I am reading this book again and will be telling these stories again and again. Feeling the way I did as a child wide eyed, wide eared, leaning forward and waiting breathless for the next story
August 1, 2016
This wee book gets five stars for its use of language and for awakening my faerie spirit! The first two stories, in particular, filled my heart with the lively and took me back to a time, more than thirty moons past, when my imagination wondered freely through misty lakes and starry skies. Yet, these tales are not for children. They are full of the darkness and the old-wise. I felt a little sad as I settled under my wholesome-warm duvet to read the last tale. I was sudden-quick magicked back to reality again. It was too short. I would love to read another book of these tales. I even walked past a faerie tree today and considered lying beside it to see if the faeries would whisper the next novel into my ear!
December 18, 2015
A collection of fairy stories? For adults? Not really my thing, or so I thought. Right from the off, Jane Talbot had me under her spell. Each story is beautifully told; familiar enough to be comforting, dark enough to be disconcerting. Talbot's language is rich and ethereal, rhythmic and captivating. It transported me back to the magical world of childhood, a time when stories had the power to unlock a sense of wonder and terror from deep within and by doing so helped to make sense of the even stranger world of reality. Thank you for reawakening my inner child; I can't wait for the next one!
October 21, 2015
If you haven't decided what to buy folks for Christmas or the winter solstice, you won't go far wrong with this bundle of short stories. Perfect for those wintry evenings, in front of a log fire, under the stars round a campfire or snuggled up under the duvet. My only criticism is that it all ends too soon, so those of us that have already read the first collection need to wait patiently for the next set of stories. I for one can't wait.
March 28, 2016
I absolutely loved this book. Faerie tales for adults? This is my kind of thing, but it's so hard to find a book like this that's done well. Very well written, captivating stories. If you're a fan of Neil Gaiman, you'll love The Faerie Thorn.
November 10, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this book because of the author's sheer talent and distinctive story-telling form. A brilliant book to read out loud to kids. A brilliant book savour and hoard. Special.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews