The Storyteller's Library
November
Welcome to November’s, Storyteller’s Library. This month’s books include the following folkloric wonders and entertaining anthologies:
Swedish Folktales - Anna Maria Vilhermina Hellberg Moberg
English Folk Tales of The Coast & Sea - Lisa Schneidau
Austerland Zine - HesterAspland
Folklore Rising - Ben Edge
A Feast Of Folklore - Ban Gazur
Swedish folktales by Anna Maria Vilhermina Hellberg Moberg
This is a fascinating collection of kooky, eccentric Swedish tales. Some are in the style of folktales and others simply anecdotes passed down from generation to generation across the dinner table and take the familiar form of jokes or ‘here have you heard this’ tales. In this way this collection reminds me of the oral folklore collections like Ruth Tongue’s, as well as the just so fables and folktales
Tomtes, trolls, giants, bears, wolves and naughty priests all feature, as well as hauntings at Christmas Mass when the dead are said to walk and Titta Gra, a wicked troll women, worse than the devil and similar to the Icelandic tales of troll wives. A new folkloric being to me is the Sami people’s Stolla, a curious half human, half wraith being which plays a similar role to the giants of Norse mythology.
I would heartily recommend this collection to any who are keen to broaden their knowledge of Scandinavian folktales and read authentic stories from this part of the world.
English Folk Tales of The Coast & Sea by Lisa Schneidau
This is Lisa’s fourth volume of tales and it’s full of interesting stories many of which I have heard or read before, but what sets it apart is the research that Lisa has done. This really adds to this collection and is one I will no doubt refer to often. I have all three of her previous books so it would have been a shame not to complete the collection with this one and I’m glad I did.
Austerland Zine by Hester Aspland
Written and illustrated by the Scottish artist Hester Aspland, this little gem records some of the highlights of Hester’s artist residency in the east of Iceland.
I have come across some of these stories in previous anthologies of Icelandic Tales and she uses many of the sources that I have on my bookcase, but what makes this unique is that she has focused on the landscape of east Iceland and created the most enchanting illustrations that are reminiscent of Norwegian artist Theodor Kittelsen.
If you are looking for a window into the landscape these stories come from, then Hester’s zine will give you an excellent snapshot of this magical and often fearsome topography.
Folklore Rising by Ben Edge
This book is a must for all folklore lovers and those interested in the traditions of England. An absolute labour of love, Ben has spent at least seven years visiting the different traditions, rituals and celebrations carried out across England.
If you want to know why these traditions occur, that won’t always be obvious and instead of an academic text analysing these traditions, Ben presents them simply as they are today, not as they once were, or how we perceive they should be, but as they are now.
Each illustrations shows us the elements that have come together to make the current iteration of the ritual and Ben even talks through his creative process for each painting.
This is a superb book and one I have kept in the living room so that I can dip in and out of it, revisiting my favourites.
A Feast Of Folklore by Ben Gazur
A treasure trove of food lore, I would go so far as to say this book is the equivalent of Vickery’s Folk Flora. It’s a must read for anyone interested in folklore with kooky anecdotes, well documented traditions and the odd story or two thrown in for good measure.
The book is set out in sections depending on the type of food discussed, for example, fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy and my most favourite chapter - cakes. It’s not an exhaustive record of all folklore associated with food, no book can hope to be that as folklore is constantly evolving and so different and personal to each group of folk. Instead it’s a compilation of the some of the most well known pieces of lore and some of the most obscure, clearly the bits that piqued Ben’s interest as he researched the book.
In short, it’s a great one for the festive season, allowing you to dip in and out and view the food on your table in an entirely different light.
What Are Your November Reads?
Don’t forget to share what you’ve been reading this month in the comments below.
Next Month’s Reading List
As always you can buy any of above books in all good bookshops. If you would like to buy a copy online, please consider visiting my page on Bookshop.org where I have gathered some of the books I read and recommend. Here you will find a plethora of myth, legend and folktale.
And don’t forget to support your local library too. See if they have a copy to borrow.
