A doorway in Fairyland

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78382

Title

A doorway in Fairyland

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Laurence Housman's "A Doorway in Fairyland" weaves enchanting tales of magic and morality. From a cobbler who mends a magical red shoe to save a kingdom, to a prince rescuing a moon-dwelling princess from a gnome's spell, these stories blend whimsical fantasy with poignant human emotion. Perfect for readers seeking timeless fables rich in wonder.

Summary up to 500 words

Laurence Housman's *A Doorway in Fairyland* is a collection of enchanting tales originally published between 1894 and 1904, reuniting stories from out-of-print editions such as *A Farm in Fairyland* and *The Blue Moon*. The volume opens with the tale of Lubin, a poor cobbler who mends a magical red shoe left by a mysterious traveler. At midnight, the shoe dances on its own, revealing the traveler's secret method of tracking stolen gold. After the traveler is murdered by thieves, Lubin uses the enchanted shoes to chase them into a trap, securing their wealth and earning the traveler's blessing. With his newfound fortune, Lubin travels to a kingdom where twelve princesses are losing their beauty under a mysterious curse. He volunteers to solve the mystery but becomes drawn into a deeper enchantment involving Berenice, a moon-dwelling princess held captive by a Red Mole gnome who demands her hand in marriage. Discovering that she can only return home by kissing the reflection of the full moon in a pool of water, Lubin digs a pool in her garden. However, before they can escape, the gnome returns and kills him; his sacrifice breaks the spell, freeing the princess and restoring the kingdom's beauty. The collection concludes with the poignant tale of Knoonie, a child trapped in a sleeping palace by a magical charm for a century. While the world around him sleeps, he ages silently, unable to speak or act. When the spell finally breaks after a hundred years, he is too old and frail to participate in the waking world, wandering away until he finds peace at a doorway in fairyland. The narrative voice remains consistent with Housman's style, blending whimsical fantasy with underlying melancholy. Themes of sacrifice, the passage of time, and the contrast between magical imprisonment and human suffering permeate the stories. Through these tales, Housman explores the nature of enchantment not merely as a source of wonder, but as a force that demands personal cost for liberation. The tone shifts from the adventurous excitement of Lubin's quest to the tragic stillness of Knoonie's awakening, ultimately suggesting that true contentment may be found in quiet acceptance rather than the restoration of former glory.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fairy Tales