A New Dictionary of Fairies: A 21st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies

by Morgan Daimler

Fairies are a challenging subject, intertwining culture, folklore, and anecdotal accounts across centuries and millennia. Focusing primarily on the Celtic speaking cultures, with some material from adjacent cultures including Anglo-Saxon and Norse, A New Dictionary of Fairies has in-depth entries on a variety of fairies as well as subjects related to them, such as why we picture elves with pointed ears or where the idea of fairies being invisible comes from. It also tackles more complicated topics like the nature and physicality of the fairy people. Anyone with an interest in the Good Neighbours will find this book a solid resource to draw from.

Genres: Folklore, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Mythology, History, Research, Fairies

392 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2020

About the author

My name is Morgan Daimler. I have had my poetry and prose published in different places including various anthologies, Circle magazine, Witches and Pagans magazine and Pagan Dawn magazine. I am the author of the urban fantasy series Between the Worlds and (through Cosmic Egg Books) the high fantasy novel Into Shadow. I've written more than a dozen non-fiction works through Moon Books including Fairy Witchcraft, Pagan Portals: the Morrigan, Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk, A New Dictionary of Fairies, and Pagan Portals Aos Sidhe

Reviews

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. I not only enjoy, but search for this sort of information on faeries and often come up short because there does not tend to be enough. But there was a wonderfully varied amount to go through here, more extensive than I've come across before. If one is interested in the subject of faeries, this one is definitely recommended.

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, voluntarily read. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Don Gerstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read a number of Morgan Daimler’s books, I was curious to see how she would handle such a wide topic. Whether you are familiar with fairies or taking your first dip into the waters, “A New Dictionary of Fairies” will not disappoint. This book is written in a scholarly fashion yet I found it very accessible to those of us with some or no knowledge of the subject.

I have the Kindle version, so the ability to link directly to someone or something specific would be an invaluable tool to anyone researching a particular topic. I began at the beginning and started reading. Initially, I was impressed with the depth of knowledge imparted in each section, and it reminded me of learning from reading an encyclopedia. Using the word “dictionary” in the title is a nod to the book by Katherine Briggs (A Dictionary of Fairies, published 1976), but don’t let that word fool you. Ms. Daimler’s offering feels more like a comprehensive collection of information that will enlighten and entertain readers at the same time.

Specific male and female fairies and related beings are introduced, as well as general terms. Many of those terms we still use today have their origins explained, most of them hundreds of years old. There are details of modern belief that are different from how they were originally perceived. As an example, the discussion of elves and the evolution from human-looking to pointed ears is logically presented and dispels what I had previously thought to be how elves always looked throughout time.

While searching some of the resources mentioned (also listed at the end in an extensive bibliography), I came across a few other compilations similar to Ms. Daimler’s book. After “peeking” at them using the Amazon feature, my feelings were that this book is much more accessible to readers, particularly those who have little or no knowledge of this subject. Ms. Daimler not only provides the definition of each term, but includes stories and anecdotal tales that are an interesting way to add to what we are learning. For me, reading the book straight through, one term to the next, was not a chore at all, but a fascinating journey through a world I previously had learned very little about. I recommend this book to everyone, both believers of fairies or someone looking to sate a healthy curiosity. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley, John Hunt Publishing Ltd., and Moon Books for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.

[Eustacia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It should be pretty obvious that I like fairytales and folklore. So when I heard about this book on Netgalley, I was immediately intrigued. It’s supposed to be a comprehensive resource on all things about the Good People and it definitely delivers.

Organised alphabetically (duh!), A New Dictionary of Fairies covers subjects like Elf-Shot and Possession by Fairies, people like Bessie Dunlop and Beady Early, and ballads like Tam Lin and Lady Isobel and the Elf Knight. It’s a fantastic resource that looks at the history and beliefs regarding fairies.

I was initially a bit worried that the subject matter was going to be too narrow, because I was pretty interested in fairies in Asia and how they compare, but it turns out that the book wasn’t narrow enough for me. While the fairies have a lot of similarities, the dictionary organisation of the book meant that it was pretty difficult to distinguish between fairies of different countries. I have a pretty good understanding of the fairies in Western Europe/Celtic cultures now, but I don’t think I can explain much about the differences within regions.

Another ‘drawback’, if you can call it that, of the dictionary format is that it’s harder to get an overview of the study of fairies because the information comes in small topics. I suppose it would be hard to structure a general overview because there’s so much to cover, but I would have really enjoyed the book that way as well. But I did learn a lot from the book as it is so this is really more of a wish than a complaint.

I was also really intrigued by the mentions of Christianity in the book and how they related to fairies. The discussions of how fairies seem to treat the religion was fascinating and I would love to read more about the history of fairies and Christianity. Surely someone has written about it! The book mentions a minister named Robert Kirk who has apparently written about fairies – I’ll have to check out his writings.

On the same note, the discussion of whether fairies have souls/can go to heaven reminds me a little of the controversy surrounding ghosts (from A Cultural History of Ghosts). In the book, the author mentions that the arguments for and against the existence to ghosts depended on the denomination of Christianity – I wonder if it’s the same here.

Overall, this was a fascinating and evidently well-researched book on the subject of fairies in Western Europe (in particular, Celtic culture). If you are interested in the subject, I’d recommend that you check it out.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

This review was first posted at Eustea Reads

[Lora Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good resource for Celtic and Irish mythology and folklore. It starts with a foreword that has grammatical issues that make it a little confusing to read, but that's by another author. The gist was that Daimler has the qualifications and has done the research.

As I got into the main part of the book, I found this easy to believe. It's laid out in dictionary form, but rather than only defining names of fairy creatures, it gives a brief synopsis of various legends and is really a very thorough record of fairy lore from this culture (though I don't equate aliens with fairies).

Keeping in mind the amount of research a tome like this takes, it would be great if this sort of information from other cultures was covered in other books by experts in those cultures' fairy lore, because of course the British Isles don't have exclusivity on the little people! It's an excellent reference book for the material it covers.

[Galina Krasskova · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pronunciation guide for the Gaelic would have been really nice but otherwise, excellent resource and highly recommended (I read the kindle edition).

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great resource for those who live for fairies - or at least a good interest in them. From quick entries to a few pages there is a good amount of entries that the reader can see. Good addition for those researching or like/love fairies.

[Munch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent an arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This is one of the most detailed dictionary of Celtic fairylore I've read. If you have any interest in fairies and want to learn more then you will really enjoy this. It was a bit repetitive in places but I suppose that's what is going to happen when the book is set up as a dictionary. I enjoyed the entries on the actual fairies more than the lore (fairy food, clothes, courts etc) but that's just me. It had all my favourites such as Kelpie (water horse), Bean Nighe (washer woman), Recaps (murderous goblins) and Cat Sidhe (fairy cat) but also included some that I hadn't heard of before such as the Scottish Joint-eater. I also never knew that the song Scarborough Fair was originally about a maiden trying to get a fairy knight to be her lover or husband and him giving her a load of impossible tasks. Highly recommend this book to all fairy lovers.

[Jillyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good reference book and a comprehensive guide for all things related to fae and fairy folk.

As the title suggests, this isn't a book so much as a dictionary, so things are listed alphabetically in an index, as a dictionary would be. Some of the entries are a really short few sentences, and some entries stretch on for multiple pages. Because it's listed in a dictionary format, it is extremely easy to navigate if you're looking for something specific to reference.

I was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of items that are included in this book. It ranges from mythology/lore from all sorts of areas (such as Celtic, Norse, and Christianity), there's poets and poems and ballads, there references to actual, real historical accounts/people, and things like how the various fae folk look in appearance, or their demeanor.

Because there's such a wide canvas here, this is a good reference guide not just for magick practitioners and those interested in the fae, but authors and writers as well. There's also a lot of footnotes and research, so you can do further searching with relative ease.

The actual writing itself is a bit choppy and could use a little editing, but it was solid enough that I didn't notice too much.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, thank you!

[Mahalia Gosla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been using this as a reference material. The detail and information in one book had been incredible! I wish I would have found this book sooner. I recommend this to anyone writing about fairies, needing fairies within their world-building, and those who are. Just merely curious about the various types of fairies.

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful but sensitively written account. The research for this must have been staggering but the quality shines through- you'll never need another book on the subject. I read the original "Dictionary" some years ago, using it often to reference and have carried an interest with me all my life. In this book I found so much new information. Prepare yourself for plenty of rabbit holes, I already have a list of new to me names to explore. Astonishing work, and obviously a labour of love on behalf of the author.

[K.S. Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan was kind enough to allow me to read an ARC (advanced reading copy) of this amazing book, in exchange for a review.

"Morgan Daimler has created the most thoroughly-researched, in-depth book about the Other Crowd that I have ever had the privilege to read. This is the sort of book you recommend to everyone, but don't loan to anyone because you know you won't get it back. "

I had three Fairy "dictionary/encyclopedias" in my library but felt that all of them were lacking with regard to source material as well as the less "popular" members of the Other Crowd. Once reading through this book, I unhauled all three of them and am very much looking forward to adding a hard copy of this book to my library. FANTASTIC!

[Cat]

This dictionary of the fair folk is wonderful! There were ones I've never read about. Of course I had to look those up first. I loved reading Katharine Briggs dictionary on quite a few occasions over the years- and thought hers was complete. Now I'll have to revisit hers and compare the two. That should be a very pleasant way to spent many a future afternoon! Kudos Morgan Dailer!

I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of this topic, I requested a digital copy of this book via Netgalley. This book is packed FULL of so much wonderfully collected information, I wish I had a print copy for my bookshelves.
The digital copy I received for review could not be conveniently paged through, which made enjoying it a bit less than desired.

[Briar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan Daimler is an excellent reference book. It’s well-researched as well as interesting and engaging, and although it’d be a really good volume to dip into for information about certain aspects of fairy lore, it also makes a very enjoyable and engaging cover-to-cover read.

I should note that the book concentrates mainly on Celtic fairy lore and specifically Irish tradition, though Welsh and Scottish lore also get plenty of attention. Other traditions, like Norse ones, are also referred to, mostly when they’re similar to the Celtic ones. While I’d love a book that encompassed a wider range of fairy lore, that would be an even huger amount of research to compile and organise, and while I’m no expert, the book does seem very comprehensive in the area the author has chosen.

Although the book is described as a dictionary, it’s far more than a list of definitions. There are descriptions of various types of fairy, of individual fairies who appear in stories, and of the tropes and patterns which typically appear in stories and anecdotes about fairies. In addition, there are discussions of other topics that are fairy related, like speculations about the origins of fairies, or the discussion of the connections between fairy lore and alien lore. I found the latter absolutely fascinating, it being something I’d never thought of before.

Of course, I was also delighted by the fact that the section about the Tam Lin ballad is excellent; detailed and thoughtful with some interesting speculation and a couple of facts I hadn’t come across before, like the meaning of the name “Lin”. My whole interest in fairies orginated with what some might describe as an excessive interest in the Tam Lin ballad, which is still one of my favourite stories. The hope of a good section about it was at least 50% of the reason I decided to read this book in the first place and I was not disappointed.

One of the best parts of A New Dictionary of Fairies is the way that Morgan Daimler has balanced giving a broad base of information on the subject with providing plenty of interesting detail in each entry. I think they’ve done really well: there’s lots of detail, but not so much that you ever feel bogged down in it. And if you want to know more about any particular subject, they’ve cited their sources and have a truly excellent bibliography at the back of the book, making it easy to do further research if you feel so inclined. This makes the book both a great reference point for people who want to find specific information quickly and also a great introduction to Celtic fairy lore for beginners.

Although Morgan Daimler’s obviously incredibly knowledgeable and has done a huge amount of research, their writing is very easy to read and very engaging. I think some people feel like learning only counts if it comes with blood, sweat and suffering, but I am not one of them and neither, happily, does Morgan Daimler seem to be. This is the kind of book I not only enjoyed reading one time, but would love to keep on my shelf and dip into from time to time.

A New Dictionary of Fairies is published on the 28th February 2020. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

See all my reviews on my blog https://thewearybookcase.home.blog/

[Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to John Hunt Publishing/Moon Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘A New Dictionary of Fairies’ by Morgan Daimler in exchange for an honest review.

Its subtitle ‘A 21st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies’ is a fair summary of its contents. I had been impressed by an earlier book by Morgan Daimler on Faerie Queens that I read and reviewed and I am aware that she has written a number of works on Faerie.

In contrast to her other books this is a reference work and intended as a follow up to folklorist Katherine Briggs’ 1976 work: ‘A Dictionary of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures’. Indeed, in her Introduction, Daimler states that she was inspired to create this new dictionary because Briggs’ Dictionary was not only out of print but that in the last 40 years the field of folklore and faerie lore has moved on. “There have been new ideas advanced and new material covered, and in some cases uncovered, yet there is no work that equals Briggs in its scope and depth on the subject.”

Certainly I agree with her that it is time to update Briggs. She also highlights the important point that an increased popularity and inclusion in fiction has led to such lore becoming “divorced from both the root cultures and actual belief to create the twee fairies that populate many current media sources, and yet the genuine belief in fairies and the older folk beliefs still remain, found as they have always been in the lives of people and in stories preserved by folklorists–historic and modern.”

Overall, I found this a well researched and very informative resource. I loved the inclusion of poetry and folk ballads. I would have loved illustrations though including these likely would have been prohibitive in terms of cost. However, one of the benefits of the internet is that it is easy to search for images and artwork.

I enjoyed reading this very much and discovered material that I hadn’t previously been aware of. I found the main text scholarly yet accessible. I was very impressed by the extensive bibliography included.

As this is a reference book, it is perfect to dip into rather than necessarily read from cover to cover. I expect that I will buy my own hard copy in due course to add to my existing collection on folklore and Faerie.

[Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource on fairy lore, and invaluable to read if you have an interest in the folklore surrounding fairies. It is also a great alternative to Katherine Briggs' dictionary which is out of print and difficult to source. Daimler writes in acessible language which is not overly dry but which is still scholarly and well researched.

If you have read other works by Daimler and are well acquainted with fairy lore there may be some repetition of articles and previously published work and is something to keep in mind. However as this is a dictionary and acts as an encyclopeadic resource, there is still plenty to learn, and it is great to have all of this information in one book and it is one which I know I come back to read and reference time and time again.

[Mary Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent addition to any folklorist’s shelf, Daimler‘s survey of the Good Folk covers centuries of information, from the literary to the anthropological to the magical. A must for anyone who is fascinated by Them.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lives up to my expectations, which were high. I have used it for reference a few times so far and each time the section was concise by gave enough details to help me get my bearings.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and comprehensive read that made me learn of lot of new things about fairies.
I liked how well researched and well written this book is.
A useful read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[April Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing for the ARC.***

I'm a sucker for anything involving mythology, mystical beings, or supernatural stuff and this "dictionary" was amazing! I was familiar with some of the fairies mentioned from reading some Irish/Celtic folklore books but almost 3/4 of this book was completely new to me. Every new entry had me diving down the rabbit hole even farther to learn more. This is one of the best resources on this subject that I've ever come across! #NetGalley #ANewDictionaryofFairies

[Alan D.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this book. Morgan has a wonderful style that shows even in a dictionary, making reading enjoyable, entertaining and useful. Normally I would have passed this title aside, but knowing who wrote it, I knew I would find nothing less than perfection and professionalism.

[Autumn (Triquetra Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw that this tome was available I was out of my seat excited.

Morgan Daimler has tackled a huge feat - to put together a working dictionary of Fair Folk from all over, from many different mythologies. It's a herculean effort and they pulled it off, as they usually do.
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Daimler's work, but if you flip through this book, you'll see why.

Things are, as always, accessible, easy to understand/digest, thorough, backed up with academia. This book is amazing for those on the Fairy Witchcraft path (read Daimler's other books, please and thank you), or for those who are looking to gain an understanding of the beings commonly referred to as "fairies."

It's not a light read, as there's so much information, but is an excellent resource and will be something I refer to often once paperback is available.

[Jonesy.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Dictionary of Fairies is a very comprehensive book detailing everything you could ever want to know about fairies from A-Z. No matter how much you already know about fairies, you are sure to learn something new. My favourite was the poetry as it wasn't just informational, but inspirational and thought provoking as well. Very interesting! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This New Dictionary of Fairies is a great book for those who work with Fairies or are just interested in learning more of them. Fairy witchcraft is something many of my friends practice. I find fairies fascinating for themselves. The information contained in this book is well written, researched and in-depth. This is mostly about the Celtic cultures but does include others as well. I learned many new things about them that I never knew. Love this book. It will be read many times. I received this book from Net Galley and John Hunt Publishing for a honest review.

 

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Dictionary will not disappoint. A brilliant read full of information for both those that live for everything fairy or those that are just dipping their little toe into this magical and mystical world. Thanks so much to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.

[Dawn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan Daimler
Book Review by Dawn Thomas

416 Pages
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing Ltd / Moon Books
Release Date: February 28, 2020

Health, Mind & Body, Religion, Spirituality, Paganism, Fairy Tales, Folklore, Mythology

This book is chock full of information. I was actually surprised at the number of entries. Many of which I did not know. I had to giggle at the entry for Aliens though. I found the mention of the color of blood to be interesting. The listing of Borrowing is so true. The faeries in my house often “borrow” something but return something else in return. I also learned the name of the knots I have in my hair when I wake up.

I am amazed at the amount of research that went into creating this book. The author was very thorough in her references. If you have any interest in fairies, I highly recommend this book.

[Samantha Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thorough and well-researched book about fairy lore. It's dense and refers directly to a lot of old stories and poems. I recommend it for someone who wants to get acquainted with the fae. I took off one star because, as an author and editor, I struggled with the sloppy copy editing. It pains me that something with such qualitative merit has such easily fixable grammar mistakes throughout the entire thing.

[Maria Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those of you who have been with me since the start of my blog will know that it was intended to include posts about my attempts at writing a novel. You will no doubt have noticed that these posts have fallen completely by the wayside as my writing efforts stalled. I had an idea for a fantasy novel based in British folklore, but after an enthusiastic start, I lost my mojo a bit. Sitting down and reading this book, however, has inspired me once more though and I now have ideas for not one but four books set around each of the Celtic nations, and I am excited about writing again. I owe Morgan Daimler a debt of gratitude for this.

A New Dictionary of Fairies is exactly what you would expect – an A-Z of all things fairy. It is an easy book to dip in and out of, and feels incredibly thorough. As I was reading it, I found myself making notes about folkloric accounts and poems that I wanted to look up and read in their entirety as my creative juice really started to flow. I have a LOT of books on folklore and fairies, but this is by far the most accessible that I have read so far.

I know this is a book that I will refer back to time and again as I write, and I already have more of Morgan’s books lined up ready to read – more on those coming soon!

[toria (vikz writes) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A New Dictionary of Fairies
A 21st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies
by Morgan Daimler

The title says it all. This is A New Dictionary of Fairies, a list of names given to various fairies and an exploration of the way they have been described in various cultures. It is a useful reference work. It would be a great addition to any book collection. Keep it on the coffee table, or night stand. Dip into it when you have a few minutes to spare.