I have in my possession a well-worn, truncated version of a book called The Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. It is a copy from my childhood library. The cover in falling off. The pages are more than yellow - almost orange. Dog-eared is a kind assessment of its corners, so many times have I turned those pages.
Inside, Lang presented fairy tales from all over the world. My favorite, however, was "Little One Eye, Little Two Eyes, Little Three Eyes", a version of Cinderella. This modest collection of fairy tales was my first literary introduction to Andrew Lang. I adored the stories and read them over and over again.
When I was in my twenties, working at a book store, I found The Brown Fairy Book by Lang. It was in the 50% off pile.
After taking my purchase home, I discovered that both the Green Fairy and the Brown Fairy were part of a larger series. Andrew Lang had created a series called The Coloured Fairy Books (Lang was English - hence the 'u'), twelve colors in all. Here I was with a measly two!
The antiques collector in me would not let this stand.
Six years later I am the proud owner of a complete set of The Coloured Fairy Books. I read them often, use them for reference and even discover some inspiration. They sit on my desk as a constant reminder of those early days when my reading appetite was never satisfied. They challenge me to write - write for that young girl who loved (loves) fanciful tales where Good triumphs over Evil and True Love still exists.
Lastly, I want to leave you with something Lang wrote in the preface of his Green Fairy Book. I smile every time I read this.
"To the Friendly Reader: This is the third, and probably the last, of the Fairy Books of many colours."
Perhaps not, Mr. Lang. Perhaps not.
For its own sake, I hope the world will never lose interest in fairy tales.
Inside, Lang presented fairy tales from all over the world. My favorite, however, was "Little One Eye, Little Two Eyes, Little Three Eyes", a version of Cinderella. This modest collection of fairy tales was my first literary introduction to Andrew Lang. I adored the stories and read them over and over again.
When I was in my twenties, working at a book store, I found The Brown Fairy Book by Lang. It was in the 50% off pile.
After taking my purchase home, I discovered that both the Green Fairy and the Brown Fairy were part of a larger series. Andrew Lang had created a series called The Coloured Fairy Books (Lang was English - hence the 'u'), twelve colors in all. Here I was with a measly two!
The antiques collector in me would not let this stand.
Six years later I am the proud owner of a complete set of The Coloured Fairy Books. I read them often, use them for reference and even discover some inspiration. They sit on my desk as a constant reminder of those early days when my reading appetite was never satisfied. They challenge me to write - write for that young girl who loved (loves) fanciful tales where Good triumphs over Evil and True Love still exists.
Lastly, I want to leave you with something Lang wrote in the preface of his Green Fairy Book. I smile every time I read this.
"To the Friendly Reader: This is the third, and probably the last, of the Fairy Books of many colours."
Perhaps not, Mr. Lang. Perhaps not.
For its own sake, I hope the world will never lose interest in fairy tales.
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