Book Description

The Red Fairy Book (1890) is a collection of fairy tales by Scottish folklorist Andrew Lang. Published in time for Christmas, The Red Fairy Book was the second volume out of 25 in the Lang’s Fairy Books series, compiled, written, and edited by Lang and his wife, Leonora Blanche Alleyne. Using such sources as the Brothers Grimm and Madame d’Aulnoy, they selected culturally significant stories from all over Europe, crafting carefully organized and beautifully illustrated compilations featuring beloved Russian, French, Scottish, Norse, and Danish myths and legends. In “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” a classic German tale, a powerful king locks his twelve beautiful daughters in their room at night only to discover their shoes worn down each morning. Confused and unused to disobedience, he promises his kingdom and his daughters to the first man who manages to discover the secret of their nightly endeavors. “Soria Moria Castle” is a Norwegian fairy tale that follows a young boy who goes to sea with an adventurous captain. Blown off course, they discover a mysterious castle guarded by a monstrous, three-headed troll. Warned by the princess, the young Halvor swears to face down the beast in order to free her and her kingdom. “The True History of Little Goldenhood” is a retelling of the classic Italian story of Little Red Riding Hood, a young girl who falls prey to a devious, hungry wolf. The Red Fairy Book compiles over three dozen stories from across Europe and remains an essential resource for amateur and professional folklorists to this day. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Andrew Lang’s The Red Fairy Book is a classic work of folklore reimagined for modern readers.