Rebekah Witherkay
asked
Juliet Marillier:
Hi Juliet, I have thoroughly enjoyed all your books for the past 15 years, and I wanted to thank you for creating such strong and brave characters who overcome such obstacles. I really enjoy the strong roots in folklore and fairy tales, and I wanted to ask you what books you have found most helpful in your research for writing'?
Juliet Marillier
Hi Rebekah,
I've used a lot of reference books along the way! One of the classic collections of Irish mythology is Lady Gregory's Irish Myths and Legends. I also have The Vanishing People: a study of traditional fairy beliefs by Katharine M Briggs. There are several great fairy tale collections edited by American scholar Jack Zipes. Troublesome Things: a history of fairies and fairy stories by Diane Purkiss. And not forgetting the wonderful Seven Miles of Steel Thistles: Reflections on Fairy Tales by Katherine Langrish (check out her blog of the same name.)
Of course that's just one aspect - I also read books on landscape, flora and fauna, relevant history (even when the novels get fairly non-historical!), clothing, weaponry etc. I have fairly crammed bookshelves in most rooms of my house.
When I was a child I loved the Andrew Lang fairy tale books (The Red Fairy Book, the Green Fairy Book etc) and I know the wonder of those stories from all over the world had a huge impact on what I chose to write!
All the best, and thank you for the nice comment!
Juliet
I've used a lot of reference books along the way! One of the classic collections of Irish mythology is Lady Gregory's Irish Myths and Legends. I also have The Vanishing People: a study of traditional fairy beliefs by Katharine M Briggs. There are several great fairy tale collections edited by American scholar Jack Zipes. Troublesome Things: a history of fairies and fairy stories by Diane Purkiss. And not forgetting the wonderful Seven Miles of Steel Thistles: Reflections on Fairy Tales by Katherine Langrish (check out her blog of the same name.)
Of course that's just one aspect - I also read books on landscape, flora and fauna, relevant history (even when the novels get fairly non-historical!), clothing, weaponry etc. I have fairly crammed bookshelves in most rooms of my house.
When I was a child I loved the Andrew Lang fairy tale books (The Red Fairy Book, the Green Fairy Book etc) and I know the wonder of those stories from all over the world had a huge impact on what I chose to write!
All the best, and thank you for the nice comment!
Juliet
More Answered Questions
Alex
asked
Juliet Marillier:
Hello Juliet, First I want to say, thank you so much for writing Wildwood Dancing. It is one of my favorite books ever, and I am re-reading it for the fifth time this December. My bunica is coming to stay with us in England and I know that she would love this story too. Is there a Romanian translation? I cannot find one. Thank you you again. Warm wishes, Alexandra
Kirsten Allison
asked
Juliet Marillier:
Hi Juliet! I picked a random book off the shelves about 4 years ago hoping to find something good, I have am so glad I picked yours. I have yet to find any novels as brilliant. You have inspired me to do what I love doing, instead of doing what people want me to do. I am going to university next year and I am studying to be a director. I want to bring your stories to the big screen. What story would you want to see?
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