Book Review: The Faerie Handbook
of Literature, Lore, Art, Recipes, and Projects
By: Carolyn Turgeon
Published By: Harper Design
Publication Date: November 14, 2017
Page Count: 240
Page Count: 240
Source: ARC kindly provided by publisher
Folklore — Art — Entertaining
We all know that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, right? But the cover of The Faerie Handbook is our first stop because the subject matter is fairies, and potential readers must appreciate the glamour of this book. Bound in purple and trimmed with silvered page edges and silver lettering, this book lets the reader know immediately to expect the content to be even more alluring.
The interior of the book brims with everything you could want to know for carrying a bit of fairyland into the modern world. The first third of the book is devoted to fairy lore: different types of fairies, where they live, as well as their likes and dislikes. The section on fashion and beauty focuses on pulling the magical into the mundane, and includes both a recipe for fairy dust (!) and instructions for making flower crowns. The third section of The Faerie Handbook covers the art and culture (both ordinary and mystical) associated with fairies. The final segment of the book centers on home, food, and entertaining in fairy style — decoration ideas, party tips, and recipes.
I am actually not a fairy person, but what I love most about The Faerie Handbook is that it makes me want to be one. The book is absolutely spilling over with lush art, photographs, poems, and articles that inspire the reader to attempt the many craft projects and recipe ideas. Personally I have avoided hard candy-making for my entire adult life. Too. Much. Work. But now I'm dying to make the flower lollipops featured on pp. 202-203. We're talking actual edible pressed flowers in the center of clear hard candy pops, people! (Seriously, go Google "pressed flower lollipops" to get an idea of how magical these are.)
Simply put, The Faerie Handbook is a must-have for fairy lovers of all ages, and still a cool read for those who don't have fairy fever.
Summary:
In this exquisite anthology, Editor in Chief Carolyn Turgeon and the editors of Faerie Magazine welcome you into an enchanted realm rich with myth, mystery, romance, and abundant natural beauty. Organized into four sections—Flora and Fauna, Fashion and Beauty, Arts and Culture, and Home, Food, and Entertaining—this gorgeous volume offers an array of exquisite vintage and contemporary fine art and photography, literature, essays, do-it-yourself projects, and recipes that provide hours of reading, viewing, and dreaming pleasure, along with a multitude of ideas for modern-day living and entertaining with a distinctive fairy touch.
The interior of the book brims with everything you could want to know for carrying a bit of fairyland into the modern world. The first third of the book is devoted to fairy lore: different types of fairies, where they live, as well as their likes and dislikes. The section on fashion and beauty focuses on pulling the magical into the mundane, and includes both a recipe for fairy dust (!) and instructions for making flower crowns. The third section of The Faerie Handbook covers the art and culture (both ordinary and mystical) associated with fairies. The final segment of the book centers on home, food, and entertaining in fairy style — decoration ideas, party tips, and recipes.
I am actually not a fairy person, but what I love most about The Faerie Handbook is that it makes me want to be one. The book is absolutely spilling over with lush art, photographs, poems, and articles that inspire the reader to attempt the many craft projects and recipe ideas. Personally I have avoided hard candy-making for my entire adult life. Too. Much. Work. But now I'm dying to make the flower lollipops featured on pp. 202-203. We're talking actual edible pressed flowers in the center of clear hard candy pops, people! (Seriously, go Google "pressed flower lollipops" to get an idea of how magical these are.)
Simply put, The Faerie Handbook is a must-have for fairy lovers of all ages, and still a cool read for those who don't have fairy fever.
Summary:
In this exquisite anthology, Editor in Chief Carolyn Turgeon and the editors of Faerie Magazine welcome you into an enchanted realm rich with myth, mystery, romance, and abundant natural beauty. Organized into four sections—Flora and Fauna, Fashion and Beauty, Arts and Culture, and Home, Food, and Entertaining—this gorgeous volume offers an array of exquisite vintage and contemporary fine art and photography, literature, essays, do-it-yourself projects, and recipes that provide hours of reading, viewing, and dreaming pleasure, along with a multitude of ideas for modern-day living and entertaining with a distinctive fairy touch.
I'm not a fairy fan, but my kids love books like this -- with artwork and such.
ReplyDeleteI bet you & your kids would love the entertaining ideas!
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