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Scottish Fairy Tales
Fairy Tales, Scotland
Paperback
First published May 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 27, 2017
I was a little bit disappointed in this book, because it was so simple. I mean fairy tales are not written in a very complicated way, but this was obviously for small kids.
I didn't like the illustrations either. I'm sorry to all those who say that they liked them, but I find the children (me including - yes, I am a big child) to be a lot more interested in modern animation and pretty pictures. This was not it. And I'm sure that old people and artsy people might like them. Well - good for them.
Some of the tales reminded me of Andersen's and Grimm's work. And they were very much based on the concept of good = beautiful, bad = ugly. But those times that it wasn't - that was a gem.
Other than that, the ideas under the fairy tales were cool - I had a chance to compare the Scottish fairy tales to other tales from other cultures and it was very fun to see the common things and think about why is it so. I am definitely interested in reading more tales from different cultures to compare the main elements. Because it just makes me wonder and keeps me amazed to see such different cultures to have the same story line.
There were a couple of tales that didn't seem to make sense to me, I am not sure, if it was a culture, language or concentration fault, but yeah, those were weeeeeird.
I didn't like the illustrations either. I'm sorry to all those who say that they liked them, but I find the children (me including - yes, I am a big child) to be a lot more interested in modern animation and pretty pictures. This was not it. And I'm sure that old people and artsy people might like them. Well - good for them.
Some of the tales reminded me of Andersen's and Grimm's work. And they were very much based on the concept of good = beautiful, bad = ugly. But those times that it wasn't - that was a gem.
Other than that, the ideas under the fairy tales were cool - I had a chance to compare the Scottish fairy tales to other tales from other cultures and it was very fun to see the common things and think about why is it so. I am definitely interested in reading more tales from different cultures to compare the main elements. Because it just makes me wonder and keeps me amazed to see such different cultures to have the same story line.
There were a couple of tales that didn't seem to make sense to me, I am not sure, if it was a culture, language or concentration fault, but yeah, those were weeeeeird.
December 30, 2019
I loved these fairy tales
March 14, 2020
Gorgeously retold traditional Scottish Fairy Tales with equally beautiful illustrations. A very enjoyable collection of fairy stories from Scotland’s long history. Jealous queens intent on murdering their pretty daughters, shape shifting animals, and magic spells galore. The book states the stories will delight young and old alike! I agree with this statement wholeheartedly.
October 15, 2017
Bonitos cuentos escoceses que te transportan a un lugar mágico que existe de verdad. me encanta la mitología, las moralejas, los personajes,..historias diferentes que deberían ser más leídas.
August 10, 2026
This selection of Scottish fairy tales reminds us that fairy tales are much the same the world over. Children are at the mercy of cruel relatives, often stepmothers. Brothers are sent off on important missions in threes, but it is only the youngest son who will accomplish the mission.
Indeed, a few of the stories here are clear echoes of more famous fairy tales. A wicked stepmother wants to think herself the most beautiful woman alive, but a surprisingly well-informed trout keeps contradicting her and explaining that it is her stepdaughter who holds this honour. The indiscreet trout has a bad habit of revealing the stepdaughter’s continued existence every time the stepmother thinks she has successfully killed her rival.
There are also one or two Cinderella stories here, based on a prince trying to find a bride who will fit his glass slipper. In one story, there are two sisters (not the usual three). The older sister is willing to chop her toes off to fit into the slipper, while the younger one does not seem all that bothered about being a Princess. Personally, I think the Prince should have married the older sister, since she wanted it so much more than her sibling.
One difference here is that Scottish fairies are distinctly malignant. They pose a danger to humans. They are also addicted to abducting humans for what seems like a few days, but turns out to be years. One victim is gone so long that when he returns to our world and realises how long he has been gone, he crumbles into dust.
Another victim seems keen to return to Fairyland, even though his Fairy mistress who made him a servant is sometimes beautiful and sometimes ugly, and he is not allowed to speak in Fairyland for fear of giving away his human identity and being killed.
The early stories are the best in this selection. Later ones are too short to engage the attention, or contain too many Scottish colloquialisms. Some footnotes would have helped. I was also not sure why the book included so many ghost stories, which are surely not fairy tales.
Overall though, this is an acceptable enough set of stories. I doubt that many of them will stay with me for long though.
Indeed, a few of the stories here are clear echoes of more famous fairy tales. A wicked stepmother wants to think herself the most beautiful woman alive, but a surprisingly well-informed trout keeps contradicting her and explaining that it is her stepdaughter who holds this honour. The indiscreet trout has a bad habit of revealing the stepdaughter’s continued existence every time the stepmother thinks she has successfully killed her rival.
There are also one or two Cinderella stories here, based on a prince trying to find a bride who will fit his glass slipper. In one story, there are two sisters (not the usual three). The older sister is willing to chop her toes off to fit into the slipper, while the younger one does not seem all that bothered about being a Princess. Personally, I think the Prince should have married the older sister, since she wanted it so much more than her sibling.
One difference here is that Scottish fairies are distinctly malignant. They pose a danger to humans. They are also addicted to abducting humans for what seems like a few days, but turns out to be years. One victim is gone so long that when he returns to our world and realises how long he has been gone, he crumbles into dust.
Another victim seems keen to return to Fairyland, even though his Fairy mistress who made him a servant is sometimes beautiful and sometimes ugly, and he is not allowed to speak in Fairyland for fear of giving away his human identity and being killed.
The early stories are the best in this selection. Later ones are too short to engage the attention, or contain too many Scottish colloquialisms. Some footnotes would have helped. I was also not sure why the book included so many ghost stories, which are surely not fairy tales.
Overall though, this is an acceptable enough set of stories. I doubt that many of them will stay with me for long though.
January 1, 2026
A really interesting collection of tales, some an older version of contemporary, well-known stories. A couple have more than one version included. Lovely illustrations increase the books appeal.
A few stories lost me in the dialogue passages because they were written phonetically. There is also no glossary for the old terms peppered through most of the stories.
Overall, it's a good read if you like folklore and fairy tales, and it's not a kids book although some children would enjoy it.
A few stories lost me in the dialogue passages because they were written phonetically. There is also no glossary for the old terms peppered through most of the stories.
Overall, it's a good read if you like folklore and fairy tales, and it's not a kids book although some children would enjoy it.
June 27, 2020
Overall I enjoyed reading this but began to find myself frustrated with some of the tales. The book does not need to be as lengthy as it is and some of the short tales have little substance to them at all.
The longer stories were greatly enjoyed and I found my imagination taking flight with such tales.
The longer stories were greatly enjoyed and I found my imagination taking flight with such tales.
November 3, 2018
Not much to say about this book really. Ideal for younger children. For me it was to far fetched and I didn't believe the stories were really fairy tales.
December 23, 2022
Not vividly told
January 20, 2023
Wouldn't really want to read this to my kids...
August 11, 2023
Lovely tails of the higlandersss
January 7, 2015
Check out my blog to see a couple pictures of Loch Lomond in the post ---> htpp://allthebookblognamesaretaken.blogspot.com
Also on Facebook ---> https://www.facebook.com/AllTheBookBl...
Twitter: @SarahBear8301
I picked up this little gem in a store when Mom and I were in Scotland in 2009. We were on a day trip that included a visit to Loch Lomond, but opted not to go on the little cruise around the loch. Instead we meandered down the paths and took beautiful picture of Ben Lomond and these lovely ducks who wanted to follow us around.
This is one of several books I purchased when we wandered into the welcome center and it is definitely a treat. There is lots of trickery and shape-shifting in these stories, they all seem very strange until you then think about modern versions of fairy tales as told in the US and their earlier versions from around the world. Often these stories had wicked queen/step-mothers/both. This is a strange little collection that was entertaining, though I did not read all in one sitting, despite it being such a short text. Many of the stories are so similar in theme and characters that I would read one or two and then come back to it later. Most are no longer than 5-6 pages. The illustrations are very colorful and whimsical, perfectly matched to the subject matter.
My only complaint is that there was no historical context, something I would have appreciated. I would have found it interesting to learn where the stories may have originated, any basis in reality from where the myths evolved, etc. There was zilch in that department, and as someone who enjoys history, I was disappointed. That is the reason I could only give this one three stars and not four.
This one will be especially enjoyable for anyone who enjoys legends and folk lore, and that beautiful country that I always feel is my native land.
Also on Facebook ---> https://www.facebook.com/AllTheBookBl...
Twitter: @SarahBear8301
I picked up this little gem in a store when Mom and I were in Scotland in 2009. We were on a day trip that included a visit to Loch Lomond, but opted not to go on the little cruise around the loch. Instead we meandered down the paths and took beautiful picture of Ben Lomond and these lovely ducks who wanted to follow us around.
This is one of several books I purchased when we wandered into the welcome center and it is definitely a treat. There is lots of trickery and shape-shifting in these stories, they all seem very strange until you then think about modern versions of fairy tales as told in the US and their earlier versions from around the world. Often these stories had wicked queen/step-mothers/both. This is a strange little collection that was entertaining, though I did not read all in one sitting, despite it being such a short text. Many of the stories are so similar in theme and characters that I would read one or two and then come back to it later. Most are no longer than 5-6 pages. The illustrations are very colorful and whimsical, perfectly matched to the subject matter.
My only complaint is that there was no historical context, something I would have appreciated. I would have found it interesting to learn where the stories may have originated, any basis in reality from where the myths evolved, etc. There was zilch in that department, and as someone who enjoys history, I was disappointed. That is the reason I could only give this one three stars and not four.
This one will be especially enjoyable for anyone who enjoys legends and folk lore, and that beautiful country that I always feel is my native land.
August 28, 2007
I've had this book for years and have finally picked it up. I read a few stories between longer books.
Annnnd several months later, I'm now finished. It was a good collection: lots of stories that reflected well-known fairy tales (there are several with the Rumpelstiltskin theme) and plenty more I'd never heard of. The one big drawback for me is the lack of any historical notes or context. I'd like to know where in Scotland these tales were popular and why, and how they were influenced, and what they themselves influenced in the Scottish literary tradition.
Also, fairies are bad. But brownies are good; just don't feed them.
Annnnd several months later, I'm now finished. It was a good collection: lots of stories that reflected well-known fairy tales (there are several with the Rumpelstiltskin theme) and plenty more I'd never heard of. The one big drawback for me is the lack of any historical notes or context. I'd like to know where in Scotland these tales were popular and why, and how they were influenced, and what they themselves influenced in the Scottish literary tradition.
Also, fairies are bad. But brownies are good; just don't feed them.
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September 11, 2016Beautiful illustrations and an interesting collection of stories, let down by the text.
December 25, 2014
I love mythology and folklore, so I really enjoyed this book of Scottish fairy tales!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews