Faeries

by Alan Lee and Brian Froud

Book Overview

Edited by David Larkin. Two talented artists explore the world of faeries in myths, legends, and folklore. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0285623591
• ISBN13: 9780330257565
• Release Date: January 1978
• Publisher: Souvenir Press Ltd
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

One of the most beautiful books I own

My parents gave this to me for my fifth birthday and it is one of the most cherished and beautiful books that I own. It's a compilation of gorgeous watercolors, sketches, and a systematic like grouping of faeries and their mythical kin. I can't imagine a better book for a young artist or creative reader. I spent hours and hours poring over each illustration and reading about the origins of all the creatures. It has a Jim Henson-like quality in its imaginative spirit (echoed by one of the jacket covers which features Froud with a little puppet faery mannikin posed in a tree). Alan Lee is responsible for those gorgeous watercolors, while Brian Froud does the kinetic sketches (Froud was also the illustrator of Lady Cottingtons Book of Pressed Faeries--a funny and darkly humored picture book). Sidenote: Brian Froud's wife, Wendy, was one of the artists responsible for the very beautiful (if slightly dated) Dark Crystal and, I did not know this--YODA!! Who knew?! Wonderful news, too, the 25th edition of this book contains 20 new pieces by Froud and Lee. As for the nakedness: When I was six I thought everyone's body was beautiful and nakedness definitely didn't put me off. The only times it was disturbing was when adults made a big deal of it. That and finding a discarded copy of Penthouse behind an abandoned building both fascinated and freaked me out. But Froud's book is nothing like that. I'd no more be upset by the nudity in this then I would by the nudity in Renaissance paintings. I'm guessing adults must read more eroticism into it than any child would. If you're really worried, check out Brian Froud's website--it has some of the illustrations from Faeries and will give you a better sense of it. Personally, I think it's a wonderful book for children. Not to harp on, but I don't think un-erotic and un-sensationalized exposure to nudity is a bad thing (and I don't mean that in a let's all be nudists manner...just a hey, we all got skin underneath our clothes recognition). If there's someone in your life who has a fly-away imagination and appreciation for art or myth, this is a terrific choice.

A must for believers!

I purchased this book long, long ago, and I now have a child who is very interested in faeries. So it was bought down from the bookshelf, the dust blown off it, and we settled down for a read. I had forgotten what a gem this book is.The illustrations alone are worth the purchase price. If you are interested in fine art, let alone book illustrations, you will apreciate this book. The text is well written and amusing, with a great deal of attention to the smaller details of the small people's lives. And let us not forget the less than nice faeries - the bad faeries who we think are best forgotten. They also get a slice of the action. It is sometimes pleasant to have that little shiver of frightening childhood memories.It is a delightful book. Its not strictly a children's book but you will be very fondly remembered by any child you present this to as a gift. Its not strictly an adult book either, but hey, let's live a little! Leave it on your coffee table and I guarantee everyone will pick it up. Maybe it has its own little bit of magic.

Fantasically frightening

I first saw this book when I was 7 when my dad, knowing I loved both art and faeries, brought it home for me from the library. Needless to say, I loved it but several of the more intense drawings scared me! I dog-eared the scariest pages so I could skip over them easily... many years later I came across a copy of it and simply had to buy it. Not only is the art and text inspiring, but it's the kind of book that sticks in your mind over time...

fisrt real look into faeries, good and bad

I first found this book in thge sci-fi section of my local bookstore, I had seen the cartoon short based on this book and I was interested in the what the book was like. I paged through it thinking it would be a well illustrated tolkien like story, like the animated version. Then after looking through about half a page I was hooked, I couldn't put it down, I stoped reading when the store was closed and the checkout clerk forced the book from my hands, two days later I was back with the price of the book in my wallet. This was the first book I had ever read that actually talked about the evil, dark faeries that your childhood storybooks never talk about, like redcaps, and the unseelie court. I have read this book cover-to-cover several times and I am still finding things in some of the illustrations I hadn't noticed before. If your interested by this book, get yourself a copy of the animated version.

I can't find the words to describe it...

If you thought you liked Lady C's Pressed Fairy Book (now out of print), then you'll LOVE this one!! It is the best faerie book i have ever seen, and read. It not only tells you the history of faeries, but it also gives you an idea where Faerie -the land of faeries- is, it gives you detailed information about all the wee folk! If you thought faeries were the pretty winged Tinkerbell likes, think again, and read this book! You'll get surprised on how many faerie types there is!!The book is beautifully illustrated, and a must for every one interested in faeries, and art! This one should be in the bookshelf in every home! Buy it for yourself, for your mom, your kid and for your best friend!! It makes a great present!Definately worth the money, i'd pay the double price if i had to, it's that great!