The Green Fairy Book
5C edited by Andrew Lang, illustrations by H. J. Ford, London: Longmans, Green, and Co. 1892. First Edition.
Notes
The Green Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang and first published in 1892, is the third volume in his Rainbow Fairy Book series. As with the other books in the series, it is a collection of fairy tales from a variety of cultures, featuring stories that include magic, adventure, and moral lessons. The tales in The Green Fairy Book come from sources as diverse as European, Middle Eastern, and Asian folklore, offering young readers a rich tapestry of characters, magical creatures, and heroic quests.
Some of the stories included in The Green Fairy Book are "The Story of the Three Bears," "The White Duck," and "The Seven Foals." The stories in this collection reflect Lang’s passion for gathering folklore from across the globe, and they feature elements such as enchanted animals, princes and princesses, and brave heroes who face challenges that test their wisdom and courage.
The Green Fairy Book, like other books in Lang’s Rainbow Fairy Book series, is beautifully illustrated, often by H. J. Ford, whose artwork added to the charm and appeal of the stories. Through these vivid tales and striking illustrations, Lang introduced children to the wonders of folklore and fantasy while also imparting timeless moral lessons
Andrew Lang's Rainbow Fairy Books, particularly The Green Fairy Book, and other folklore collections edited by him, had a significant influence on J.R.R. Tolkien’s writing, including The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien, a scholar of medieval literature and mythology, was deeply immersed in the world of fairy tales, myths, and folklore from a young age, and Lang's anthologies were an essential part of his literary development.
Tolkien often drew inspiration from the myths, legends, and fairy tales found in Lang’s collections, as they exposed him to a wide variety of mythical creatures, heroic quests, and epic adventures. The Rainbow Fairy Book series, with its stories of magical beings, enchanted forests, and larger-than-life heroes, helped shape Tolkien’s imaginative world-building, as many of the creatures and themes in Lang's stories echo the kinds of characters and settings found in Tolkien's own works.
For example, the heroic quests, fantastical beasts, and magical elements from Lang's fairy tales can be seen reflected in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Characters like elves, trolls, dragons, and wizards, and the exploration of themes like good vs. evil, heroism, and self-discovery, all echo the kinds of motifs present in Lang's books. Additionally, the structure of a hero’s journey—one of personal growth, trials, and transformation—is central to both Lang's fairy tales and Tolkien's narratives.
Tolkien also acknowledged the influence of fairy tales on his writing in general. While The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are much more complex and rooted in mythology and history, they share a deep connection with the traditional storytelling that Lang's books introduced to many children of Tolkien's generation.
Description
Green marbled boards with three quarter green leather. Five raised bands with gilt embossed elements in each compartment except the second and third which showcases gilt lettering. Marbled endpapers. Many illustrations throughout. Gilt top edge. Pristine condition.