The Brown Fairy Book

By Andrew Lang, Leonora Blanche Alleyne Lang, Elena N Grand

Book Overview

The brown fairy book offers a wide gathering of tales drawn from many cultures, creating a tapestry of imaginative storytelling that blends adventure, wonder, and reflective moral insight. The opening sections describe how narratives from regions such as Red Indian, Australian, African, and Persian traditions were brought together, emphasizing the shared delight that stories inspire across different societies. The preface highlights the enduring power of folklore and the way varied landscapes, customs, and imaginations contribute to a universal sense of curiosity. The first tale introduces a courageous figure who undertakes a demanding quest shaped by love and responsibility, moving through challenges that test resolve, loyalty, and inner strength. Elements of mystery and destiny deepen the journey, revealing how riddles, family ties, and unexpected turns of fortune shape the character's path. The broader collection uses such moments to show how cultural differences enrich the storytelling experience while still speaking to common human emotions, offering readers an engaging blend of fantasy, lessons, and timeless enchantment.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9375550850
• ISBN13: 9789375550853
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Double 9 Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Another great example of the Andrew Lang collection.

For some odd reason, this has to be one of my favorite editions of Andrew Lang's collection. I'm not sure why. But as always, we get a good, varying dose of excellent fairy tales from different countries, bettered by the fact that these tales are little known. So, yep, I recommend this for all collectors and those who just plain love a good fairy tale.

Superb collection of fairy tales from other countries

A Beautifully illustrated collection of fairy tales from different cultures, its refreshing to read tales that aren't just european. When I first bought it I was very disappointed that they weren't the traditional French, German, and English fairy tales but after reading them I found them to be compelling and beautiful. These tales are imaginative, strange, beautiful, wistful, and gorgous. The illustrations are wonderful, they stand in a class of their own. Modern illustrators should use them as inspiration.

Another multicultural collection

It is hard to write reviews for Lang's fairy tale books which are as unique as each collection. The Brown Fairy Book once again has tales from many cultures. Included tales are: How Some Wild Animals Became Tame Ones, Story of the King Who Would Be Stronger Than Fate, The Mermaid and the Boy, The Sister of the Sun, Which Was The Foolishest?, and many others. I always enjoy the illustrations, too, although some children are disappointed they are black and white drawings.