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Faeries
Edited by David Larkin. Two talented artists explore the world of faeries in myths, legends, and folklore.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1978
About the author
Brian Froud
77 books892 followersBrian Froud is an award-winning illustrator, author, and faery authority. His books include the international best-sellers Faeries, Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book, Lady Cottington's Fairy Album, and The Faeries' Oracle. He also served as the conceptual designer on Jim Henson's films The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. Froud lives in Devon, England.
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"I paint the spirit and soul of what I see." - Brian Froud
For over 35 years, Brian Froud has been regarded as the pre-eminent faerie artist in the world and an authority on faeries and faerie lore. His international best-selling book, FAERIES with fantasy and Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee is considered a modern classic. His landmark work with Jim Henson as conceptual designer on feature films THE DARK CRYSTAL, LABYRINTH and other Henson projects set new standards for design, puppeteering and animatronics in film and are considered landmarks in the evolution of modern day special effects and attract an international cult following . With over 8 million books sold to date, Brian's international best sellers include LADY COTTINGTON'S PRESSED FAIRY BOOK, GOOD FAERIES / BAD FAERIES and THE FAERIES' ORACLE and LADY COTTINGTON'S FAIRY ALBUM. Other works with text by Ari Berk include GOBLINS!, RUNES OF ELFLAND, LADY COTTINGTON PRESSED FAIRY LETTERS and BRIAN FROUD'S WORLD OF FAERIE. His latest books are THE HEART OF FAERIE ORACLE, authored by his wife, Wendy and HOW TO SEE FAERIES, with New York Times best-selling author, John Matthews are published by Abrams Books. He and Wendy are now working on their forthcoming book, TROLLS, to be published by Abrams in 2012.
Brian's work has been licensed by numerous licensing companies internationally. His work inspires Faerieworlds and FaerieCon, festival events that attract over 30,000 guests annually. Brian created concept designs for a sequel to THE DARK CRYSTAL, produced by the Jim Henson Company and is developing concept designs for feature film projects now in development. He and Wendy created the story concept for a graphic novel series based on THE DARK CRYSTAL to be published by Archaia Comics in 2011. His work has been featured in exhibitions throughout the world and his paintings reside in many private and public collections. Brian lives in Devon, England with his wife, internationally acclaimed doll maker Wendy Froud.
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"I paint the spirit and soul of what I see." - Brian Froud
For over 35 years, Brian Froud has been regarded as the pre-eminent faerie artist in the world and an authority on faeries and faerie lore. His international best-selling book, FAERIES with fantasy and Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee is considered a modern classic. His landmark work with Jim Henson as conceptual designer on feature films THE DARK CRYSTAL, LABYRINTH and other Henson projects set new standards for design, puppeteering and animatronics in film and are considered landmarks in the evolution of modern day special effects and attract an international cult following . With over 8 million books sold to date, Brian's international best sellers include LADY COTTINGTON'S PRESSED FAIRY BOOK, GOOD FAERIES / BAD FAERIES and THE FAERIES' ORACLE and LADY COTTINGTON'S FAIRY ALBUM. Other works with text by Ari Berk include GOBLINS!, RUNES OF ELFLAND, LADY COTTINGTON PRESSED FAIRY LETTERS and BRIAN FROUD'S WORLD OF FAERIE. His latest books are THE HEART OF FAERIE ORACLE, authored by his wife, Wendy and HOW TO SEE FAERIES, with New York Times best-selling author, John Matthews are published by Abrams Books. He and Wendy are now working on their forthcoming book, TROLLS, to be published by Abrams in 2012.
Brian's work has been licensed by numerous licensing companies internationally. His work inspires Faerieworlds and FaerieCon, festival events that attract over 30,000 guests annually. Brian created concept designs for a sequel to THE DARK CRYSTAL, produced by the Jim Henson Company and is developing concept designs for feature film projects now in development. He and Wendy created the story concept for a graphic novel series based on THE DARK CRYSTAL to be published by Archaia Comics in 2011. His work has been featured in exhibitions throughout the world and his paintings reside in many private and public collections. Brian lives in Devon, England with his wife, internationally acclaimed doll maker Wendy Froud.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
December 4, 2013
I bought this book for my wife some years ago. She was an artist and very talented. Near the end of her life one of the subjects she was beginning to work with was "fantasy subjects" including faeries. She was (as I said above) very talented and throughout her life as she would pick up different techniques and concentrate on different subjects she would expand her "catalog" so to speak. She was able it seemed to study a new type or style and within a few attempts she'd have captured it. She did landscapes, seascapes, English gardens, still-lifes (I think since the painting is a "still-life" the plural would be "still-lifes" rather than "still-lives") and did them at different times in different styles so to speak...modern to primitive. She went through a very long period of time doing florals. She took commissions from people to paint everything from their houses to their pets. As I said only a few years ago she was becoming interested in more fantastic subjects. She enjoyed books of art work and as she would find new interests I'd use that as a key or indicator for her next Christmas or birthday gift. This book I bought her not too long ago and it reminds me of her. She past August 1, 2009.
There may be books of better paintings but this one and a few others will as long as I'm able to manage it stay on my shelf.
There may be books of better paintings but this one and a few others will as long as I'm able to manage it stay on my shelf.
October 3, 2012
This is the book that made Brian Froud famous and has yet to be surpassed. Alan Lee's ethereal watercolors are just as breathtaking and provide a lovely counterpoint to Froud's more dramatic drawings. But don't let the glowing images fool you into thinking this is just another coffee table "art" book. The folklore contained therein is just as sound. The flora and fauna sections are especially worthwhile. There is also a dangerous aspect to this work, which adds a fascinating spiciness. Not all faeries are the shining winged beings that the Victorians were so fond of. Some are sharp toothed and clawed monsters that come creeping out of the shadows and muck to drag the unsuspecting to their doom.
IMHO Faeries isn't a book quite suitable for adults or easily frightened children. It is a work intended for the in-between people: young adults, serious children, and adults who have maintained some of their childhood innocence.
Regardless how you look at it FAERIES is a classic.
IMHO Faeries isn't a book quite suitable for adults or easily frightened children. It is a work intended for the in-between people: young adults, serious children, and adults who have maintained some of their childhood innocence.
Regardless how you look at it FAERIES is a classic.
January 27, 2011
Whether we are aware of it or not faeries have, for as long as can be remembered, always played a part in the daily lives of men, women and especially children. For as far back as can be remembered there have been stories, ballads and legends of faeries and their ability to connect with the nature on the planet and the nature of man. Though not always with the most desired of results, for as many stories as there are of faeries bringing messages of love and friendship there are also stories of torment and death.
It is perhaps the dualistic nature of these elusive beings that has drawn so many to them and their kind over the years. Within these pages the history, wisdom and playfulness of faeries can be explored, and hidden within each image beauty and inspiration are found. But whether your seeking wisdom, inspiration, or just a simplistic beauty in their existence, Fairies is a guide to the impossible made possible, the magic in wonder, and to a race of beings who, having always existed, are seen not through the eyes but through the heart and mind.
Faeries, thirty years after the original, has been done up all new and golden, but there is more to this book then just a new cover. Inside this deluxe edition you will find more images, more stories and more faeries to take you deeper into the world of faery then you have ever been before. This magical book has so much to offer whether you are just curious about faeries, whether you are an avid faery lover, or whether you are seeking guidance from those elusive and captivating creatures. Not only a must for Brian Froud and Alan Lee fans but also for those with a passion for the faeries and for beautiful art.
It is perhaps the dualistic nature of these elusive beings that has drawn so many to them and their kind over the years. Within these pages the history, wisdom and playfulness of faeries can be explored, and hidden within each image beauty and inspiration are found. But whether your seeking wisdom, inspiration, or just a simplistic beauty in their existence, Fairies is a guide to the impossible made possible, the magic in wonder, and to a race of beings who, having always existed, are seen not through the eyes but through the heart and mind.
Faeries, thirty years after the original, has been done up all new and golden, but there is more to this book then just a new cover. Inside this deluxe edition you will find more images, more stories and more faeries to take you deeper into the world of faery then you have ever been before. This magical book has so much to offer whether you are just curious about faeries, whether you are an avid faery lover, or whether you are seeking guidance from those elusive and captivating creatures. Not only a must for Brian Froud and Alan Lee fans but also for those with a passion for the faeries and for beautiful art.
September 26, 2019
*2.5
Oh dear, I honestly thought I would enjoy this one but I was so wrong.
I believed this would either be a collection of already existing stories from all around the globe about creatures such as faeries, trolls etc or some kind of glossary, like the ones that exist about plants or something.
And it somehow did both but so poorly.
The stories about the creatures were very simplistic, with no structure at all and didn't manage to capture my attention. The authors also use other authors' writings and quotes as literal sources. Oh, did I mention that they are believers as well? Well now you know...
And the "glossary" was very limited, and didn't give any real information. Instead, there's info about the creatures thrown all around but with no any explanation, as if we are expected to already know at least half of these.
I get the whole nostalgia factor but this isn't the case with me.
However, the illustrations were the best thing this book had to offer, and therefore I'm giving it a bit of a higher rating for that alone.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :)
Oh dear, I honestly thought I would enjoy this one but I was so wrong.
I believed this would either be a collection of already existing stories from all around the globe about creatures such as faeries, trolls etc or some kind of glossary, like the ones that exist about plants or something.
And it somehow did both but so poorly.
The stories about the creatures were very simplistic, with no structure at all and didn't manage to capture my attention. The authors also use other authors' writings and quotes as literal sources. Oh, did I mention that they are believers as well? Well now you know...
And the "glossary" was very limited, and didn't give any real information. Instead, there's info about the creatures thrown all around but with no any explanation, as if we are expected to already know at least half of these.
I get the whole nostalgia factor but this isn't the case with me.
However, the illustrations were the best thing this book had to offer, and therefore I'm giving it a bit of a higher rating for that alone.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :)
June 1, 2012
Questo non è un libro sulle fate.
Questo è un libro con le fate dentro.
Questo è un libro con le fate dentro.
August 20, 2008
Wonderful artwork, I've used it as a reference book. After reading this, I've been able to recognize a lot of different mythical creatures in other works that I would not have otherwise. For instance, Jenny Green Teeth shows up in Pratchett's The Wee Free Men and the Pooka in such movies as Darby O'Gill and the Little People, and the Jimmy Stewart classic, Harvey. This is the book that influenced Jim Henson to recruit Froud's help with the movie The Dark Crystal. I didn't realize until very recently that Alan Lee worked on this book as well. Alan Lee was one of the artists that Peter Jackson recruited to design sets for The Lord of the Rings movies.
April 29, 2024
Bellissimo, un libro pieno di illustrazioni fantastiche, ovviamente non ci si poteva aspettare nulla di meno dal grande Alan Lee e da Brian Froud.
April 11, 2019
I adore this book! Extremely inspired and gorgeous artwork.
July 27, 2012
I have been in love with Brian Froud from his collaboration with Alan Lee. I spent long hours pouring over his book, and saw the clear influence (excitedly) on the movie Labyrinth, one of my all-time faves, along with Outside Over There. I'm grateful to this because at a young age I saw the interconnectivity of books and other creative endeavors because of it. Not so literal, but still having profound impact. My work is more fantastical but I think a real argument could be made of the influence on my faerie Babies (can be seen on my Facebook page as well in my CafePress store Imagyne).
If you love art, faeries, illustration, this is a great book to have, let alone experience.
If you love art, faeries, illustration, this is a great book to have, let alone experience.
February 26, 2017
Found this book again today while my mother was clearing out stuff. My dad gave it to me when I was a child, and I'm absolutely delighted to have found it again because a lot of things stayed with me. This book both enchanted and terrified me. The art is gorgeous. The lore is fairly detailed. The writing style is easier to get into now that I'm an adult.
I think this is one of those books where I'd keep for life. I don't think I'd ever have any children (definitely not biologically), but if I do, I'll pass this one to them too.
I think this is one of those books where I'd keep for life. I don't think I'd ever have any children (definitely not biologically), but if I do, I'll pass this one to them too.
June 15, 2013
As a believer in the world of the Fae and Biti Foki I am so thankful for Brian and Wendy Froud. They pick up where my imagination leaves off and I have a huge imagination. They do not sugar coat the elemental realm; you get the light and dark side, as it should be. If you want to graduate from Tinkerbell to the meat and potatoes of the fae folk I suggest you become a Froud follower and fan.
Denice Garrou
Author of Dragonhorse and the Seeker of the Forgotten Knowledge
Denice Garrou
Author of Dragonhorse and the Seeker of the Forgotten Knowledge
May 31, 2015
"Die vielen kleinen Ärgernisse des Alltags werden selbstverständlich durch diverse Plagegeister verursacht. Bei verfilztem Menschenhaar und undurchdringlich verwirrten Pferdemähnen spricht man zutreffend auch von Elfenknoten."
Jetzt weiß ich endlich, was morgens mit meinen paar Haaren los ist:
Jetzt weiß ich endlich, was morgens mit meinen paar Haaren los ist:
June 27, 2010
No artist I know of reveals the personality of individual faeries while expressing his personal style so clearly as Brian Froud. He renders each detail with care and love; his devotion to his subjects shines through.
August 29, 2016
I think I skimmed this book more than read it when my sister gave it to me when I was a kid, but the illustrations were terrific and I copied a lot of them in the afternoons after school when I first started to draw. I thought I had lost it but found it the other day, battered but still living.
January 27, 2022
Me lo regalarono a 14 anni.
E' uno dei libri più ricchi, dettagliati e completi sul piccolo popolo e le illustrazoni di Alan Lee e Brian Froud sono strabilianti. Questo libro è una vera e propria Bibbia per gli amanti del fantastico e del mondo delle Fate, un Must-Have.
E' uno dei libri più ricchi, dettagliati e completi sul piccolo popolo e le illustrazoni di Alan Lee e Brian Froud sono strabilianti. Questo libro è una vera e propria Bibbia per gli amanti del fantastico e del mondo delle Fate, un Must-Have.
December 26, 2020
¡Nunca me había costado tanto conseguir un libro cómo lo ha sido con este!
Se publicó en 1978 (hace 42 años) y es imposible conseguir un ejemplar nuevo en español; todos los que aparecen en internet son de segunda mano ya que el libro está agotado en todas partes. Después de mirar cientos de webs, finalmente encontré el único y último ejemplar nuevo disponible en ese momento y es una edición bastante reciente de 2017. ¡Eureka!
Un libro indispensable para todos los apasionados del mundo de las hadas. He leído muchos libros del tema (especialmente de niña) pero ninguno como este. Nos presenta una visión realista, seria y adulta del mundo de las hadas. Olvidaos del estereoripo infantil Disney de las hadas buenas, bonitas y amigables. Su universo es mucho mas complejo, salvaje y oscuro, muchas veces maligno o terrorífico. Por esta razón no me cansaré de decir que ESTE NO ES UN LIBRO PARA NIÑOS, SINO PARA ADULTOS.
Los autores han hecho un gran trabajo para compilar las historias, mitología, leyendas, poemas y folclore (la mayoría del mundo anglosajón) sobre las hadas y otras criaturas mitológicas (incluyendo duendes, enanos, pixies, elfos, leprechauns, sirenas, etc) y representar TODOS los tipos de hadas, su historia, características, costumbres, dónde se encuentran, cómo protegerse de ellas… (repito, se orienta a un público adulto).
Las más de 200 ilustraciones son maravillosas, por algo ha sido nominado a varios premios.
Este libro de referencia mundial ha sido un auténtico deleite y rompe todos los esquemas.
Se publicó en 1978 (hace 42 años) y es imposible conseguir un ejemplar nuevo en español; todos los que aparecen en internet son de segunda mano ya que el libro está agotado en todas partes. Después de mirar cientos de webs, finalmente encontré el único y último ejemplar nuevo disponible en ese momento y es una edición bastante reciente de 2017. ¡Eureka!
Un libro indispensable para todos los apasionados del mundo de las hadas. He leído muchos libros del tema (especialmente de niña) pero ninguno como este. Nos presenta una visión realista, seria y adulta del mundo de las hadas. Olvidaos del estereoripo infantil Disney de las hadas buenas, bonitas y amigables. Su universo es mucho mas complejo, salvaje y oscuro, muchas veces maligno o terrorífico. Por esta razón no me cansaré de decir que ESTE NO ES UN LIBRO PARA NIÑOS, SINO PARA ADULTOS.
Los autores han hecho un gran trabajo para compilar las historias, mitología, leyendas, poemas y folclore (la mayoría del mundo anglosajón) sobre las hadas y otras criaturas mitológicas (incluyendo duendes, enanos, pixies, elfos, leprechauns, sirenas, etc) y representar TODOS los tipos de hadas, su historia, características, costumbres, dónde se encuentran, cómo protegerse de ellas… (repito, se orienta a un público adulto).
Las más de 200 ilustraciones son maravillosas, por algo ha sido nominado a varios premios.
Este libro de referencia mundial ha sido un auténtico deleite y rompe todos los esquemas.
October 29, 2009
I never knew there were so many different names for faeries. This book is comprised of legends and folklore. The illustrations reminded me of something but I couldn't put my finger on it till I read some of the other reviews of this book. They mentioned that Brian Froud worked on The Dark Crystal, and that is when I knew why they looked so familiar.
Fairies can turn on you at any moment, and they like to play jokes on human folks. So beware.
Fairies can turn on you at any moment, and they like to play jokes on human folks. So beware.
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January 8, 2016
Whilst the other book I've read like this (Goblins!) might have been rather child-orientated and lack-lustre, this one definitely isn't. It has beautiful drawings that make me want to punch everyone around me for being so good, and the information is genuine folklore fact (if such a thing exists).
July 22, 2016
The first time I saw the beautiful illustrations in this book, it was like the fairy world finally came alive. Brian Froud captured both the light and darkness of the magical and mysterious fey world.
October 23, 2014
Putting this in no-fiction because it is a great source on these fantastic creatures & the artwork is wonderful. It's worth buying just to look at the pictures.
July 29, 2022
Un'enciclopedia illustrata sulle fate. Le immagini sono molto belle, ma i contenuti sono organizzati male, senza un indice o un progetto chiaro. Contiene alcune informazioni interessanti, ma è davvero difficile da consultare senza perdersi. Sconsiglio soprattutto la traduzione italiana, che inserisce elementi di folklore italiano in mezzo a quello anglosassone senza un vero criterio e senza che le interpolazioni siano segnalate.
February 24, 2023
Good with reliable information despite being in the form of a novelty book. Draws on the right sources such as Lady Wilde, Wirt Sikes, and other significant historical accounts. Looks like this is what Spiderwick was drawing on, which is what made those creatures authentic too. Some of the main best faerie art is included here.
May 20, 2024
So so interesting, it really makes me want to delve into mythology and history more. Beautiful artwork.
September 22, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. Loved the illustrations, the colors, the explanations...
The only thing i had an issue with was the handwriting - I would've appreciated if they made it a bit more readable or used some font instead.
Either way i would definitely recommend the book.
The only thing i had an issue with was the handwriting - I would've appreciated if they made it a bit more readable or used some font instead.
Either way i would definitely recommend the book.
April 20, 2024
I love the illustrations sm! This made me feel like I’m a magic scientist carefully studying and befriending faeries around me!
November 8, 2019
A combination of mythology, folklore, bestiary, and straight-up art--doing none of these things exceptionally well except the last, which is all that really matters. The mixture of generalizations and scattershot primary sources reminds me of the pagan books written in this era and shortly after; it's evocative without having a substantial overarching argument or being particularly educational. But it's beautifully illustrated. Alan Lee's work is elegant, sometimes so idealized that it feels sterile, and it's more common in the historical/mythological first half. Brian Froud's work is caricatured and lively, more evocative but also more repetitive, and it makes the disjointed bestiary a particular delight. But it's the combined styles that makes this succeed, that makes the art so plentiful and diverse, running the gamut from beautiful and cold to dirty, tricky, and strange--and cumulatively unknowable. This is such a classic and, in the way of childhood favorites, I can absolutely nitpick elements that pale compared to my memory. But it's an eternal delight, and I still have so many favorite pages.
January 23, 2012
This is kind of the classic book that really started the whole fantsy art genre. It has sold well and consistently every year since it's publication and there are often new anniversary editions that come out in hardback as the years go by.
This wasn't the first book by Froud that I bought, but it's one of my favorites. You can really see the affection that he has for his subjects and the paintings have a certain rawness to them that later paintings do not have. I'm not saying his later work is bad mind you, just much more polished. This book gives you a bit of a look at an artists' work at the start of fully accepting his muse as it were.
Very beautiful and well worth the money.
This wasn't the first book by Froud that I bought, but it's one of my favorites. You can really see the affection that he has for his subjects and the paintings have a certain rawness to them that later paintings do not have. I'm not saying his later work is bad mind you, just much more polished. This book gives you a bit of a look at an artists' work at the start of fully accepting his muse as it were.
Very beautiful and well worth the money.
November 19, 2013
This is a beautiful book!
The artwork is exceptional and I could spend hours looking at the drawings. It is the definitave book on Faeries - all of the different types are named and defined as well as the different flowers and trees that are important to faerie lore.
There are folk tales listed, poetry written about them, and notes from other author's stories.
This is a must own volume for anyone interested in the subject.
The artwork is exceptional and I could spend hours looking at the drawings. It is the definitave book on Faeries - all of the different types are named and defined as well as the different flowers and trees that are important to faerie lore.
There are folk tales listed, poetry written about them, and notes from other author's stories.
This is a must own volume for anyone interested in the subject.
April 20, 2015
This is a delightful book with amazing illustrations and explanations about Faeries. I enjoyed reading about all the different types of Faerie. Some I had heard of before like Brownies and Boggarts, and there were others that I had never heard of and found very interesting. It is a very readable book and some of the illustrations will take you breath away. It includes information gathered from some earlier works by other authors too.
December 26, 2015
This is still my favorite of all of Brian Froud's works. The artwork is amazing but I absolutely love the literary end of this book as well. I remember reading it for the first time in high school, when I was a freshman and I was fascinated with the names and the stories and the pictures. This book is amazing. I think it would appeal to children and adults alike.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews