If you only read one book on Fairy this year… make it this on. But don’t take my word for it!
Fairies are a challenging subject, intertwining culture, folklore, and anecdotal accounts across centuries and millennia. Focusing primarily on the Celtic speaking cultures, with some material from adjacent cultures including Anglo-Saxon and Norse, /A New Dictionary of Fairies/ has in-depth entries on a variety of fairies as well as subjects related to them, such as why we picture elves with pointed ears or where the idea of fairies being invisible comes from. It also tackles more complicated topics like the nature and physicality of the fairy people. Anyone with an interest in the Good Neighbours will find this book a solid resource to draw from.
A New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan Daimler
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I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Indeed, I would call it a worthy successor to the work of the late, great Katherine Briggs, the most highly regarded expert on fairies in the last half of the 20th century. Segomaros Widugeni, author of Ancient Fire: An Introduction to Gaulish Polytheism
This is a truly impressive work. Daimler moves seamlessly between Celtic and Germanic experiences of Fairy, and provides the reader with a well-sourced guide for anyone curious about all the different aspects of Fairylore. From the earliest Irish texts to modern encounters, Daimler takes in the full scope of the subject, and presents the reader with one of the best-researched volumes on the subject. Everyone curious about the Other Crowd needs this on their shelf. Mary Jones, The Celtic Literature Collective
A comprehensive and delightful guide of essential information for those interested in fairy lore. Daimler has created a long-needed resource for those interested in fairy lore. She’s compiled a comprehensive list of subjects related to fairies, from alien abductions to Shakespeare, from Goethe to Dungeons and Dragons. She touches upon origin stories, Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon correlations, and the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Her writing style is accessible and her scholarship impeccable. As an author who delves into the worlds Daimler recounts, I find it incredibly useful in my own research. I highly recommend this essential guide for those who wish to delve more deeply into the lore, the background, and the various traditions surrounding the Gentry. Christy Nicholas, author of the Druid's Brooch series
This is a ‘must have’ volume for anyone interested in any of the ‘fair folk’ or ‘little people.’ Meticulously researched and written in an engaging manner, this New Dictionary of Fairies is sure to be a volume I will return to again and again. Mabh Savage, author of Pagan Portals: Celtic Witchcraft
A New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan Daimler is a treasure trove of rare information: brimming with scholarship and exquisite detail. It quickly dispels all childish and romantic notions about Fairies. It is time that we educate ourselves about Fairies if we are to be in right relationship with our world and other worlds. Daimler now provides us with the user manual and sage advice. This is a book to read and re-read. I will put it on the reading list for my students! Imelda Almqvist, international teacher of Sacred Art and Northern Tradition Shamanism, author of Natural Born Shamans: A Spiritual Toolkit for Life
A New Dictionary of Fairies is comprehensive and firmly rooted in scholarship with a genuine understanding of the Good People and their lore. With entries concerning Celtic and Western European fairies it is an essential reference book and establishes Daimler as the modern successor to the folklorist Katherine Briggs. Jane Brideson, artist & blogger at The Ever-Living Ones
Morgan Daimler has created the most thoroughly-researched, in-depth book about the Other Crowd that I have ever had the privilege to read. This is the sort of book you recommend to everyone, but don't loan to anyone because you know you won't get it back. KS Thompson, Sidhe Writes
This dictionary of the fair folk is wonderful! There were ones I've never read about. Of course I had to look those up first. I loved reading Katharine Briggs dictionary on quite a few occasions over the years- and thought hers was complete. Now I'll have to revisit hers and compare the two. That should be a very pleasant way to spend many a future afternoon! Kudos Morgan Daimler! Catherine Hankins (Reviewer)
This was great. I not only enjoy, but search for this sort of information on faeries and often come up short because there does not tend to be enough. But there was a wonderfully varied amount to go through here, more extensive than I've come across before. If one is interested in the subject of faeries, this one is definitely recommended. Ari C (Reviewer)
This is one of the most in depth books I have encountered about fairies. A New Dictionary of Fairies covers everything I could think of plus more that I never even knew! I will be referencing this book and coming back to it time and time again. Jacqueline Scifres (Reviewer)
A fascinating and well put together book of lore, myth and legend which proves to be a fantastic reference guide for all things Fae. Emma Smith (Reviewer)
A thoughtful but sensitively written account. The research for this must have been staggering but the quality shines through- you'll never need another book on the subject. I read the original "Dictionary" some years ago, using it often to reference and have carried an interest with me all my life. In this book I found so much new information. Prepare yourself for plenty of rabbit holes, I already have a list of new to me names to explore. Astonishing work, and obviously a labour of love on behalf of the author. C C (Reviewer)
A New Dictionary of Fairies by Morgan Daimler
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