
The Brown Fairy Book (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. 32 Enchanted Tales of Fantastic & Magical Adventures, Sttories from American Indians, Australian Bushmen and African KaffirsBy Andrew LangLength10h 50m
About this audiobook
The Brown Fairy Book, first published in 1904, is one of the later volumes in Andrew Lang's celebrated "coloured" fairy-book series, gathering tales from diverse traditions including African, Australian, Native American, Indian, and European sources. Its narratives range from animal fables and heroic quests to enchantment tales marked by transformation, peril, and moral testing. Written in a lucid Victorian prose style, the collection reflects both the era's fascination with folklore and its comparative approach to myth, preserving oral materials within a polished literary framework. Andrew Lang, Scottish poet, critic, anthropologist, and folklorist, brought to the volume his wide learning and his conviction that fairy tales reveal deep continuities in human imagination. Though many stories were translated or adapted by collaborators, Lang's editorial vision shaped the series: he sought to make global folklore accessible to young readers while also participating in the scholarly debates on myth, ritual, and cultural transmission that animated late nineteenth-century studies. This book is recommended for readers interested in classic children's literature, folklore, and the history of storytelling. It offers enchantment, variety, and cultural breadth, while inviting modern readers to consider both the beauty of traditional tales and the historical conditions under which they were collected and retold.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
Audiobook details
GenreChildren's Literature
Length10 hrs 50 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJun 10, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
21Pivi and Kabo
2Introduction
22The Elf Maiden
3Historical Context
23How Some Wild Animals Became Tame Ones
4Synopsis (Selection)
24Fortune and the Wood-Cutter
5Preface
25The Enchanted Head
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6What the Rose Did to the Cypress
26The Sister of the Sun
7Ball-Carrier and the Bad One
27The Prince and the Three Fates
8How Ball-Carrier Finished His Task
28The Fox and the Lapp
9The Bunyip
29Kisa the Cat
10Father Grumbler
30The Lion and the Cat
11The Story of the Yara
31Which was the Foolishest?
12The Cunning Hare
32Asmund and Signy
13The Turtle and His Bride
33Rübezahl
14How Geirald the Coward was Punished
34Story of the King Who Would be Stronger than Fate
15Hábogi
35Story of Wali Dâd the Simple-Hearted
16How the Little Brother Set Free His Big Brothers
36Tale of a Tortoise and of a Mischievous Monkey
17The Sacred Milk of Koumongoé
37The Knights of the Fish
18The Wicked Wolverine
38Analysis
19The Husband of the Rat’s Daughter
39Reflection
20The Mermaid and the Boy
40Memorable Quotes