The Red Fairy Book

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

540

Title

The Red Fairy Book

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Andrew Lang's classic anthology presents a vibrant collection of European folktales, ranging from the tragic romance of Sigurd and Brynhild to the whimsical adventures of Rosette and Prince Curlicue. With enchanting imagery, moral dilemmas, and timeless fairy magic, this volume offers a captivating journey into the heart of traditional storytelling.

Summary up to 500 words

Andrew Lang's *The Red Fairy Book* is a rich compilation of European folklore, blending whimsical fairy tales with the tragic grandeur of Norse legend. The collection opens with the story of Princess Rosette, whose beauty is prophesied to bring misfortune to her brothers. Following the death of their parents, Rosette is confined to a tower until her brothers ascend the throne. They embark on a quest to find the mythical King of the Peacocks to marry her, encountering magical creatures like a green dog along the way. Upon finding the King, the brothers are imprisoned, leaving Rosette to prepare for her wedding while they plot her rescue. Another prominent tale features Prince Curlicue, an ugly prince cursed with a crooked nose. He discovers a magical cabinet containing a severed hand that speaks, revealing a curse on a sleeping lady. Curlicue is transformed into the handsome Prince Peerless by a fairy but is banished to a forest. Meanwhile, Princess Cabbage-Stalk, initially ugly and lame, chooses goodness over vanity. She retrieves a key from a broken stone in a tower, opens the same magical cabinet, and receives a glowing carbuncle box from an eagle. This restores her lover to human form and cures her enchantment. The book also includes the dramatic *Volsunga Saga*, recounting the life of Sigurd, the dragon-slayer. Sigurd slays the dragon Fafnir and tastes the dragon's heart, gaining the ability to understand birds. The birds warn him of his tutor Regin's treachery, leading Sigurd to kill Regin. He then rides through a wall of fire to awaken the warrior maiden Brynhild, whom he loves. However, under a witch's influence, he forgets her and marries Gudrun instead. When the spell wears off, he realizes his mistake but remains silent. Brynhild discovers the truth, feels betrayed, and eventually dies of a broken heart. Sigurd is later murdered by Brynhild's brother, and the two lovers are burned together on a funeral pyre, fulfilling a curse placed on the dragon's gold. Through these narratives, the book explores themes of fate, the conflict between beauty and goodness, and the tragic consequences of betrayal.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/540.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg540.epub

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Categories

• Folklore
• Fiction