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A review by chriskoppenhaver
Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins, and Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate by Lesley M.M. Blume
3.0
Part short story collection, part "encyclopedia," this dark, atmospheric work is good, grim fun. The tales most often don't relate lessons and it's hard to find a moral--though the warnings and advice are plentiful--as the focus is on portraying the dark natures and infinite varieties of fairy-folk for readers dwelling in modern urban areas like New York City, where the book's stories take place. It's a book that encourages imagination by demonstration, and its young audience should find both sinister delight in exploring Blume's inventions and inspiration for their own fertile fancies.
If I have a hesitation, it's that this seems to have sprung almost entirely from Blume's head without consideration for the considerable folktales and fairy lore already in existence, so those already familiar with or interested in exploring the topic further won't find much context or consistency for linking her fairy world to any other.
Foote's vague, suggestive artwork that decorates every page enhances the book's creepiness factor tremendously. It's amazingly effective.
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When a man wants the soul of something but has no soul or conscience himself, he's almost always impossible to stop. You have to sacrifice some of your own soul to beat him, which means that he wins by that much more.
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There are many different kinds of beauty in the world. Some beauty is very unusual and can even be scary. Most people don't understand that.
If I have a hesitation, it's that this seems to have sprung almost entirely from Blume's head without consideration for the considerable folktales and fairy lore already in existence, so those already familiar with or interested in exploring the topic further won't find much context or consistency for linking her fairy world to any other.
Foote's vague, suggestive artwork that decorates every page enhances the book's creepiness factor tremendously. It's amazingly effective.
-----
When a man wants the soul of something but has no soul or conscience himself, he's almost always impossible to stop. You have to sacrifice some of your own soul to beat him, which means that he wins by that much more.
-----
There are many different kinds of beauty in the world. Some beauty is very unusual and can even be scary. Most people don't understand that.