The Rat Catcher's Daughter: A Collection Of Stories

by Laurence Housman, Ellin Greene (Editor), Julia Noonan (Illustrator)

A collection of twelve fairy-tales - stories of magic and enchantment, of wicked gnomes and fairy godmothers, of princes and princesses, of poor lads and honest laborers - chosen by a well-known storyteller, and specialist in children's literature.

Genres: Short Stories

169 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

English playwright, writer, and illustrator Laurence Housman, younger brother of the classical scholar and poet A.E. Housman and the writer Clemence Housman

In 1871, their mother died, and their father remarried a cousin. After education at Bromsgrove School, Laurence went with Clemence to study art at the Lambeth School of Art and the Royal College of Arts in London.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurenc...

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and loved it. Laurence was the brother of poet A.E. Housman, and his writing has a lyrical feel to it. Highly recommended. Wish it were still in print.

[Anga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the book in a second hand book store and was very glad I bought it. I loved this collection of fairy tales. They are beautiful and melancholy accompanied by some lovely illustrations. The writing is lyrical enough to be appropriate for a fairy tale. The author is a product of the Victorian Era but fortunately the author has respect for women and a rather liberal view of class and environmental issues. Most of the stories are not particularly happy so I would read through the stories first before sharing them with children. "The White Doe" and "Kenoonie and the Sleeping Palace" in particular make me sad just thinking about them. The tales warn against greed and envy and explore love and sacrifice.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly good collection of the some of the less well known fairy tales.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

mainly adult-type fairy tales, romantic and sometimes mysterious but enjoyable