REVIEW: 'Seven Miles of Steel Thistles' by Katherine Langrish

4/5   ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆


I've been a fan of Katherine Langrish's blog (of the same name) for a while now ever since I stumbled across it via a folkloric themed search on google, quite by accident - and found a veritable torrent of book suggestions and quotes - it was a minefield!

I saw that this book was being published and requested that we stock a copy at work. Langrish is infinitely readable and this book is accessible to both the casual reader and more familiar fairytale enthusiasts or students alike. She regularly posts on Seven Miles of Steel Thistles, and as she explains in the introduction, the content of this book is based on initial postings which she has reworked and expanded.

It starts with a general introduction and simplified history of fairy/folk tales and a useful definition of legend/folk/fairy/myth - which sets out how the different forms relate to one another and how they deal with often overlapping or similar content and subject matter - yet each are distinct in their own right.

Langrish explores the concepts of marriage/relations with the fae folk and the different story forms that these pairings take - men stealing fairy brides - and fairies who seduce or capture mortals, often with disastrous results. The importance of objects withing fairytales is discussed - these can situate a tale in place and time, yet also stress the universal element of the tales. Objects in question are often domestic or personal - therefore relatable to all.

The role of women and girls is explored. Langrish explains how the 'original' (as far as any tale has an original format) tales were far more gritty and incorporated violence or sexuality in a way that was later censored by the Grimms as the stories became popular for children and were revisioned. She also stresses the point that whilst we are hugely familiar with some of the more 'Disney-fied' tales where passivity and docility are viewed as preferred attributes. In fact, the majority of fairytales do not follow this pattern, and more often than not it is the females who are the active and ingenious characters, battling against the odds and succeeding at all costs.

I would highly recommend this to all fans of folk/fairytales and the fantasy genre. My only complaint is that it isn't longer! I hope Langrish will publish another collection in the future. Really fascinating and enjoyable reading.