Flemish Legends

by Charles de Coster

Considered primitive material when originally published in 1920, the tales contained in De Coster's FLEMISH LEGENDS were scattered among the general folklore of Brabant and Flanders in Belgium. Written in the curious vernacular of the 16th century and included in this charmingly illustrated volume are The Church of Haeckendover, The Little Stone Boy, The Man in White, Sir Halewyn in the Wood, The Song of the Head, Smetse Caught by the Two Branches, In Smetse's Garden, The Devil-King and the Sack. CHARLES THÉODORE HENRI DE COSTER (1827-1879) a Belgian writer born of an official of the papal Nuntius in Munich, studied law and literature in Brussels, and eventually taught literature there as well. By 1855, he was established as a leading journalist and freelance writer, and his popular narrations enjoyed large success throughout Belgium. Curiously, De Coster became famous only after his death in 1879.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1858

About the author

Charles-Théodore-Henri de Coster was a Belgian author; though the son of a Flemish father and Walloon mother, he wrote in French. He died on May 7, 1879 (aged 51) in
Brussels, Belgium.

See also Encyclopaedia Britannica

Reviews

[Neva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Тази книга трябва да се изучава в училище най-малкото заради бляскавия български, на който е преведена.

[Igor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Не увлекательно: религия, хула испанцев, глупые страшилки.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flemish folklore is tough to find. These stories are not quite folklore--they are legends, remnants of ballads--long and complex stories. This deceivingly slender volume contains four of these stories, which give a wonderful taste of Flemish humor and values. However, they can also be quite dark--the story of Sir Halewyn, in particular, is quite gruesome, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. (It also has an interesting history--according to Wikipedia, it is a well known ballad, dating back to Carolingian times.)

[Daniel Tserovski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Може да се каже, че попаднах случайно на тази книга и освен, че надмина всякакви мои очаквания, много силно се впечатлих и от самия превод на български език. Отдавна не бях попадал на толкова цветен език и толкова забавно и умело използвани архаизми, че имам чувството, че дори да говорех френски и да я бях прочел в оригинал, нямаше да вникна толкова дълбоко в емоцията и страстите на героите и да се забавлявам толкова много.
Беше истинско удоволствие и нямам търпение да продължа с „Легендата за Тил Уленшпигел“.

[Øystein Brekke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A random download from Project Gutenberg. Strange book! Written in the 19th century, basically fairytales set in Medieval times, although probably not for children. Pretty gruesome stuff. Entertaining at times, very weird. A strong three or a weak four, I'm not sure.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Интересная книга. "Тиля" еще не читала, пойду по нарастающей:-)