The Book of Romance

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26646

Title

The Book of Romance

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Andrew Lang, this collection brings the timeless charm of fairy tales to the age of chivalry. Blending ancient popular myths with the romance of knights and kings, it offers a rich tapestry of Arthurian legend, Celtic heroism, and global folklore. With vivid illustrations and engaging narratives, it appeals to readers who love classic adventure, moral complexity, and the enduring magic of stories that have survived across centuries and cultures.

Summary up to 500 words

Andrew Lang's *The Book of Romance* presents a curated collection of legendary tales that bridge the gap between simple fairy tales and the grand romances of history. The volume opens with the Arthurian cycle, detailing the drawing of Excalibur and the rise and fall of Camelot through stories of Lancelot, Guenevere, and the Quest for the Holy Graal. It also features the tragic romance of Diarmid and Grania, the exploits of Robin Hood, and the epic deeds of William Short Nose and Wayland the Smith. Beyond Arthurian lore, the book includes global variations of universal myths, such as the Orpheus story adapted to plantation life and Irish sagas of giants and trolls. Each tale is adapted to elevate nameless heroes into historical or semi-historical figures, infusing them with chivalric ideals while retaining their folk origins. The collection explores themes of love, betrayal, courage, and the inevitable passage of time, showing how ancient stories evolve to reflect different societies. Through these narratives, Lang demonstrates that while plots may be borrowed and adapted, the core human experiences they convey remain timeless, offering both entertainment and moral reflection for readers of all ages. The text highlights how romances are essentially fairy tales grown up, blending popular plots with literary invention and history. Lang notes that while characters like Arthur are half-historic and half-fabulous, endowed with fairy gifts, others like Robin Hood remain purely human and grounded in reality. The volume illustrates how poets and minstrels adapted ancient stories to their own conditions, elevating nameless heroes into kings and knights. Whether depicting the supernatural struggles of Grettir the Strong against trolls and giants, or the tragic fate of Dicey and Jim Orpus in a plantation setting, the stories reveal a shared heritage of human experience. Lang argues that the date and place of origin of these eternal stories can never be ascertained, as they are as common among the remotest savages as among the peasants of Europe. The collection serves as a testament to the enduring power of these narratives, which bear the birthmarks of early society yet continue to resonate across cultures and centuries.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Romance