THE FAIR FOLK
It’s 1959. To eight-year-old Felicity–who lives on a dying farm in England–the fairies in the woods have much more to offer than the people in her everyday life. As she becomes more rooted in their world, she learns that their magic is far from safe. Their queen, Elfrida, offers Felicity a gift. But fairy bargains are never what they seem.
As an adult, Felicity leaves for university. Unfortunately, books are not her only company at school: Elfrida and Hobb–the queen’s constant companions–wield the ability to appear at any time, causing havoc in her new friendships and love life.
It’s 1959. To eight-year-old Felicity–who lives on a dying farm in England–the fairies in the woods have much more to offer than the people in her everyday life. As she becomes more rooted in their world, she learns that their magic is far from safe. Their queen, Elfrida, offers Felicity a gift. But fairy bargains are never what they seem.
As an adult, Felicity leaves for university. Unfortunately, books are not her only company at school: Elfrida and Hobb–the queen’s constant companions–wield the ability to appear at any time, causing havoc in her new friendships and love life. Desperate, Felicity finally begins to explore the true nature of the Fair Folk and their magic. Her ally, the folklorist Professor Edgerley, asks, “What do they want from you?” The answer lies in the distant past, and in the secrets of her own family.
As the consequences of the “gift” play out, Felicity must draw on her courage to confront Elfrida, and make the right choice. Interwoven with traditional stories and striking characters, The Fair Folk poses questions about how we care for our children, our land, and our love-hate relationship with what we desire most.
- Europa Editions
- Paperback
- January 2024
- 400 Pages
- 9798889660125
Buy the Book
$18.00
About Su Bristow
Su Bristow won the Exeter Novel Prize with Sealskin (Europa, 2019). A consultant medical herbalist by day, she is also the author of several short stories, as well as two books on herbal medicine and the co-author of two on relationship skills.
Praise
“The wonders of nature are exquisitely sketched in this cautionary tale about the danger of striking bargains with spirits.”–Kirkus Reviews
“A Faustian, modern-day fairy tale in which the ‘be careful what you wish for’ trope is updated with a tender bildungsroman…a heartbreaking reality about lost innocence, rendered poetic in Bristow’s quiet but moving words.”–Booklist
“Lyric and captivating, [The Fair Folk] flows rapidly and with unceasing appeal…all crafted with skill that seems invisible but works its magic constantly, keeping the reader enraptured. Any reader of fantasy will love this, but just about any reader can find within this tale much of interest.”–Reading the West
“Steeped in English folklore and sentiment, this coming-of-age novel will call to anyone who feels out of place among ordinary mortals.”–Winnipeg Free Press
“This is a book to be savored, not rushed through and I feel that it will only improve upon a second or third reading, such is the depth of each and every character that Bristow has woven together.”–GeekMom
“Lovers of classic folktales will appreciate this.”–Publishers Weekly