Description

We often think of them as tiny, glittering creatures fluttering about in pastel tulle, but fairies haven’t always been so benign. Here, historian Sarah Clegg explores the true history of fairies, and the menace and ambiguity that always lurks within the shimmering fantasy.

This history takes us from elf fires in Iceland to a burial mound in Ireland; and from a stream in Cottingley where two sisters created a fairy hoax to a modern-day fairy ball in Los Angeles. Along the way, Clegg reveals fairies’ connection to ancient gods and their role in the witch-trials, and examines their seductive presence in romantasy today. This is a story of how fairy myths grew and spread across Europe, of how they changed and developed, and why we have, for centuries, been so enthralled by the danger and enchantment of the fae.

Publisher Review

Inviting, charming, funny, sometimes horrifying and always informative, a wonderfully personal and lively introduction to the world of fairies — Marion Gibson, author of * Witchcraft * Reads like a friend regaling you with tales over a cup of tea or in a firelit pub. It’s fascinating, often funny, and bursting with knowledge. This book will give you new favourite stories and make you see fairies like you never have before — Tabitha Stanmore Clegg explores the true history of fairies with all its disturbing ambiguity and sometimes downright menace, examining how fairy myths grew and spread across Europe, and why, in these romantasy times, we are still so enthralled to the fae. An enchanting book with a particularly witty use of footnotes * Bookseller * A fascinating insight into the history of the fae and the supernatural; Perilous Enchantment will enthral you and have you checking the shadows and moonlight at the same time — Julie Kagawa Ambitious and wide-ranging Perilous Enchantment is a unique gateway into a fascinating world of fairies. Sarah Clegg isn’t afraid to lead her reader into the more disturbing reaches of this subject to explore how the magical realm reflects our human joys and struggles. I love it – highly readable, rigorously researched and underpinned by the writer’s personal passion for the subject, adding up to insights relevant to our times — Jess Kidd This brilliant book is as enchanting as the fairies themselves. Enthralling and often very funny (with laugh-out-loud commentary in the footnotes), it’s left me feeling I understand the fairies and their millennia-old story for the first time — Fiona Robertson Sarah Clegg leads us through a slant history of humanity, as told through the glamour and horror of our Otherworlds. Perceptive and captivating. It had me in thrall — Clare Pollard A fantastic compendium of fairy lore — Kim Willis Ambitious and wide-ranging Perilous Enchantment is a unique gateway into a fascinating world of fairies… highly readable, rigorously researched and underpinned by the writer’s personal passion for the subject, adding up to insights relevant to our times — Jess Kidd