Every once in a while, we need a book for times of winding down, and sometimes the book is not a thriller or a suspense. It can be a fairy tale that brings calming nostalgia, which is found in The Madman of Elkriahl and Other Fairy Tales by Emmarayn Redding. It’s a collection of Redding’s original stories, having appeal for readers from elementary school-aged to one hundred years old.
The first story, the book’s namesake and my personal favorite, tells of a young woman named Gretta, who befriends a troubled man with a heart of gold. Belle of Beauty and the Beast would have loved this story, as it has both a magic spell and a prince in disguise. Not to mention it’s true love that breaks a curse.
“The Fairy King” is about a human child who lives with a cruel aunt and cousins, but she gets taken in by a fairy king who treats her like a daughter. However, she misses her kind human father, and even though the king doesn’t want to give her up, he does what’s best for her, even if it means giving her back to the humans.
In “Dilmond Garp,” a boy strikes a deal with an imp who would do his chores for him, with disastrous results. It is a cautionary tale that will intrigue children and maybe convict grownups, too.
The next story, called “Stoneheart,” has the following tropes: a couple longing for a child, a fairy godmother, a dark fairy’s curse, and unconditional love. The main female character is the picture of love that hopes all things, believes all things, and endures all things, which in turn saves a cursed prince.
“The Traveler’s Game” is slightly darker than the other tales, with brief tellings of murders and dead people’s bones, but the hero, called the Traveler, has a sweet and merry disposition—also a noble and just one—that counteracts the bleakness.
The writing style at times reads like a novel, where events play out before the readers’ eyes. Other times, it’s similar to the fairy tale way of writing, where it tells the story as if the narrator is in the room with you. The illustrations are made of different mediums and drawing styles, making each story more distinct. I enjoy the picture of the Traveler defeating a wicked king in a game of dice. His smirk, along with the king’s look of horror, clearly shows the emotions of the event. Another great picture is of a giant hawk carrying a girl from the land of fairies to the world of humans. With the nighttime scenery, it looks ethereal.
Do you enjoy stories of true love, fantastical creatures, wondrous places, and journeys of the heart? Explore The Madman of Elkriahl and Other Fairy Tales with your family.
