There is so, so much more to British culture than football violence, queueing and imported tea. There are so many beautiful traditions and tales that are lost to time; back to the Cymrian, Celtic, Scots and pagan roots of the British Isles — stories of goddesses who were revered, respected, feared and loved but forgotten whether by force or time.
No Fair Maiden reclaims these stories, reminding us that there’s a reason we call it Mother Earth At the authors own admission, while the stories included were researched, there is also a storytelling element so the way these old folktales and legends are presented within so I’d encourage any reader to keep researching any tales that resonate. Willis tells each tale in a manner that almost requires a crackling bonfire to accompany it, told with wonder and awe, with beautiful rich storytelling that captures that magnificence these legends once held.
We go between beautiful telling of these stories, to deeply personal anecdotes about the authors journey to uncover their histories — at times these, while beautifully written and linked to the appropriate tales, felt a little too substantial and biographical if you’re opening it just for the stories - I enjoyed them nonetheless but did find them a little out of context here based on what I’d expected going into the book.
Make no mistake, this book is stunning; full of wonder and beautiful writing, deeply emotive and showing the authors meaningful journey to discover these stories — and the subject is so important. Its delivery, for me, just didn't match how the book was presented so left me feeling that it wasn't what I wanted when I picked it up.
⭐⭐⭐
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