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On A Pincushion And Other Fairy Tales
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
- GenresFairy Tales
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1877
About the author
Mary De Morgan
61 books12 followersMary De Morgan (24 February 1850 – 1907) was an English writer and the author of three volumes of fairytales: On A Pincushion (1877); The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde (1880); and The Windfairies (1900). These volumes appeared together in the collection The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde – The Complete Fairy Stories of Mary de Morgan, published by Victor Gollancz Ltd in 1963, with an introduction by Roger Lancelyn Green.
Though De Morgan is one of the lesser known authors of literary fairytales, her works, heavily influenced by Hans Christian Andersen, are remarkable in deviating from the fairytale norm – often not including a happy ending, or not having the protagonist gain wealth or power (rather procuring the wisdom of recognising the value of living without these things); and in the satirical element of political comment in her works. According to the Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folk Tales and Fairy Tales, the fairytales of Mary de Morgan played a "comprehensive and central role" in her era in the evolution of the literary fairytale.
Her story, The Toy Princess, was featured on the BBC children's TV show Jackanory in 1966, and the same story featured on Jackanory Playhouse in 1981.
It has been suggested that her gender plays a part in her relative obscurity, and that she is deserving of far more acclaim.
Her brother, potter, tile designer and novelist William de Morgan, illustrated her first volume.
Though De Morgan is one of the lesser known authors of literary fairytales, her works, heavily influenced by Hans Christian Andersen, are remarkable in deviating from the fairytale norm – often not including a happy ending, or not having the protagonist gain wealth or power (rather procuring the wisdom of recognising the value of living without these things); and in the satirical element of political comment in her works. According to the Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folk Tales and Fairy Tales, the fairytales of Mary de Morgan played a "comprehensive and central role" in her era in the evolution of the literary fairytale.
Her story, The Toy Princess, was featured on the BBC children's TV show Jackanory in 1966, and the same story featured on Jackanory Playhouse in 1981.
It has been suggested that her gender plays a part in her relative obscurity, and that she is deserving of far more acclaim.
Her brother, potter, tile designer and novelist William de Morgan, illustrated her first volume.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 7, 2019
What seems to be merely a bunch of children's tales laden with fairies and magical beings is in actuality one of the most meticulously encrypted psychology books ever written. Touching on hot subjects such as childhood trauma and feminism (also: socialism!), it explores life in its barest - all the while adhering to a strictly psychosocial perspective.
December 16, 2016
Mary De Morgan is yet another sharp Victorian female writer whose work has faded in popularity over time. One can only hope that interest in her fairy tales returns soon, since they're one-of-a-kind and tip everyday objects on their heads.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews