The Fairy Books of Andrew Lang / A Project Gutenberg Linked Index to All Stories in the 12 Volumes

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

30580

Title

The Fairy Books of Andrew Lang / A Project Gutenberg Linked Index to All Stories in the 12 Volumes

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Andrew Lang's iconic Fairy Books compile a vast treasury of global folklore, organized into twelve color-coded volumes. This collection gathers tales from diverse cultures, ranging from European classics like "Cinderella" and "Rapunzel" to Eastern European legends and Asian fables. With a whimsical yet sometimes dark tone, these stories explore universal themes of courage, magic, and morality, offering timeless entertainment for readers of all ages.

Summary up to 500 words

Andrew Lang's *The Fairy Books* stands as a monumental anthology of global folklore, meticulously organized into twelve distinct volumes distinguished by their color-coded covers: Blue, Red, Yellow, Violet, Crimson, Orange, Brown, Lilac, Pink, Grey, Green, and Olive. This comprehensive collection curates a vast array of narratives drawn from diverse national traditions, ranging from the familiar to the obscure. Iconic tales such as *The Twelve Dancing Princesses*, *The Ugly Duckling*, and *The Three Little Pigs* share space with lesser-known gems like *The Story of the Seven Simons* and *The Blue Bird*, illustrating the breadth of Lang's editorial scope. The narratives within these volumes exhibit a rich tonal variety, seamlessly blending enchanting magic with cautionary elements and often tragic endings. Central themes of transformation, unwavering loyalty, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil permeate the stories. Whether featuring clever animals, shape-shifting heroes, or wicked stepmothers, the tales reflect the deep roots of oral traditions from which they emerged. The collection serves a dual purpose: it acts as an invaluable educational resource on world folklore while simultaneously offering enduring imaginative delight to readers of all ages. Each volume focuses on specific regional or thematic clusters. The Blue, Red, and Yellow books, for instance, contain classic European and Asian fables, while the Violet, Crimson, and Orange volumes delve into Eastern European and Scandinavian folklore. The Brown, Lilac, Pink, Grey, Green, and Olive books further expand the geographical horizon, incorporating tales from Africa, India, and the Middle East. Through this structured yet expansive compilation, Lang preserves the integrity of the original stories while presenting them to a wider audience, ensuring that the wisdom and wonder of these ancient narratives remain accessible and vibrant.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30580.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg30580.epub

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2026-07-08 13:07 UTC

Categories

• Folklore
• Fiction