A treasury of vanished wonders.
Ernest Rhys's Fairy Gold assembles an English fairy tale collection rooted in old English folklore; a classic folklore anthology that conjures enchanted forests stories, magical creatures tales and the wry humour of British folk legends. Magic waits in every page. The tone ranges from playful to uncanny, favouring a plain-talking narration that preserves the feel of fireside telling while never sounding antiquarian. There are tales gentle enough for bedtime stories for children, and other tales whose mood suits late-night reading, when the house is still and the green world outside seems to breathe. Readers who enjoy Victorian fairy stories will recognise the era's taste for atmosphere and moral surprise; lovers of oral tradition will find the plain craft of narrative here quietly exacting. As an English fairy tale collection it moves naturally from fable to warning, making it an ideal family read aloud book and an approachable introduction to nineteenth century England's quieter superstitions.
Republished by Alpha Editions in a careful modern edition, this volume preserves the spirit of the original while making it effortless to enjoy today - a heritage title prepared for readers and collectors alike. Emerging from the same Victorian revival that produced Andrew Lang fairy tales and Joseph Jacobs stories, Rhys's selections belong to a moment when collectors recorded regional speech and popular wonder. The book's historical value is matched by its entertainment: casual readers discover sly humour and strange consolations, while classic-literature collectors will appreciate a restored, reader-friendly presentation that honours the original texture. Care has been taken to present the tales with clarity for contemporary readers while respecting their original cadence. The volume is equally at home on a parent's nightstand and on the shelf of a classic-literature collector who values authentic access to Britain's folk past. Fairy Gold bridges casual pleasure and cultural significance with a quiet, enduring charm.
