Shropshire Folk Tales

by Amy Douglas

In places Shropshire has traditional patchwork fields and hedgerows, in others small villages and market towns with black and white timbered buildings. But it also has places that are still wild, hills where the heather and bracken cling to the rocks while peewits call overheard and strange rock formations jut up to the sky, casting their shadows over the countryside below. The thirty stories in this new collection have grown out of that tales of the strange and macabre; memories of magic and otherworlds; proud recollections of folk history; stories to make you smile, sigh and shiver. Molded by the land, weather and generations of tongues wagging, these traditional tales are full of Shropshire wit and wisdom, and will be enjoyed time and again.

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2010

Reviews

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful - just absolutely delightful. For anyone who loves fairy stories, whether to do with Shropshire or otherwise....

And: vv many thanks to the friend who gave me this - excellent Boxing Day reading!

I am going to lend it to another friend, who is not going to be allowed to return it unread - with one problem - I have to have this book on my shelves!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was an interesting short read. It compromises of several tales, from the very short to then not quite so short, which start to feel incredibly long after whizzing through the other stories.
The stories are organised into different categories, there's plenty of stories involving hunting and magic/superstition. Some feel ageless, and others have dates and really aren't from that long ago.
I also liked the little sketches that were dotted throughout the book.
Most useful, perhaps, to those who want to find out more is the list of sources in the back, organised by the tale they refer to, which can also include a short paragraph giving some background into why the author chose to include exactly what she did.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-presented set of myths and legends. Douglas writes with a smooth narrative style that well suits the stories she recounts. She has selected interesting stories from across the county, from myths of how our landscapes were formed to tales of outlaws and miscreants, ghosts and ghouls, spirits both beneficent and malevolent, knights and witches. Some tell of why places are named what they are, others give warning of supernatural forces lurking at certain locations, and all speak of a county rich in its landscape and the imagination of its people. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of old folk tales from the County of Shropshire, of interest to those who are interested in that county either through local history or genealogy.