Green Hills of Magic: West Virginia Folktales from Europe

by Ruth Ann Musick, Archie L. Musick (Illustrator)

Book by Musick, Ruth Ann

Genres: Folklore, Fiction

312 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Mary Catelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual collection. From West Virginia coal miners -- mostly immigrants or living in immigrant communities. The notes in the back list the original European country, from Ireland to Turkey.

Many broadly spread tale types, in tales of the Devil, religious tales, tales of fools and crafty fellows, fairy tales, and legends. I particularly like when set before the states were united and you needed permission to go from one to the other, where we have the character King Jimmy of West Virginia.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of European folktales was pure bliss to my inner child and a much needed break from some of the *heavier* subjects that I usually tackle.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Green Hills of Magic: West Virginia Folk Tales from Europe* whisked me away to a land that felt as familiar as my own backyard yet as enchanting as a distant fairytale kingdom. Each story, a delightful blend of Old World charm and Appalachian spirit, felt like sitting on the porch with a wise old relative spinning yarns by the light of a firefly-dotted twilight. These tales, steeped in the rich heritage of West Virginia and its European roots, reminded me of the power of storytelling to bridge continents and generations. Truly, this book is a treasure trove of wonder, capturing the magic that dances in the hills of our beloved West Virginia.