A review by o0o
Finding Faeries: Discovering Sprites, Pixies, Redcaps, and Other Fantastical Creatures in an Urban Environment by Alexandra Rowland

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

3.5

The best way I can describe this book is as a speculative fiction disguised as an academic guide. I say this in the way that the various ‘recounts’, ‘findings’ and ‘proof’ don’t actually have any references,  as they only exist to further the theoretical narrative, so unless you’re open to go along with it this may not be the book for you.

The illustrations are quite nice and I enjoy the short descriptions of various kinds of creatures, especially in the way they are (hypothetically) affected by the modern world via factors such as climate change, new technology and even nuclear disasters and slave trade. I just kinda wish Rowland delved deeper than the basics.

I will say, looking at the mixed reviews, I can see how it can be difficult telling where and when the author is being sarcastic or ‘informative’. The intention of the book doesn’t make things easier. 😅

As for the offensive remark about autistic people I’ve seen reviews talk about, it’s a small segment under Changelings, and Your Mileage May Vary on it. 

For those who want the specifics (Spoilers!):
The author states as a ‘fact’ that the faeries don’t leave changelings and that those children are suspect to have had autism symptoms. She then proceeds to follow this up on how even now parents continue to abuse their kids over it, calling it a damaging attitude. I think the author’s intent  was to use the subject of changelings to talk about an ongoing issue but the execution was pretty bad. ‘Cause how are you going to decide what is fact or not for a speculative FICTION and broach a sensitive subject matter by using a theory with beyond highly questionable legitimacy? I believe it’s in poor taste.


Besides that, however, it was fun for light-reading while still relating to my fascination for non-natural beings.
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