Сказки
Различные книги в жанре СказкиOtto of the Silver Hand
Written in the style of traditional Arthurian legends, «Otto of the Silver Hand» is a scathing tale of the realities behind the chivalric ideal. During the course of his studies of medieval society, in preparation to write a magnificent series on King Arthur's Court, Howard Pyle shockingly discovered a mentality of cruelty and vengefulness among the legendary knights, which he brings to light in this work. However, these criticisms cannot overshadow the high sense of adventure in the story and illustrations of Otto, the gentle-natured son of a German warlord who, reclaimed from a monastery at age 12, suffers under the hands of a vengeful family rival, Baron Henry. While being held prisoner he falls in love with Baron Henry's daughter, Pauline, until he's rescued by his father and escapes his captor's grasp. The chase ensues in this epic tale of a young man overcoming hatred and strife with goodness and love.
The Quest of the Holy Grail (The High History of the Holy Graal)
Here is the tale of the search for the Holy Grail, the vessel that received the blood of Christ upon the day of his Crucifixion. This anonymous story is thought to be a continuation of the French trouvère Chrétien de Troyes' unfinished «Perceval, The Story of the Grail.» Written sometime in the early 13th century, this Arthurian Romance remains unique for its high amount of allegorical mysticism and use of Celtic lore. Our hero Perceval here goes through various toils and trials in his continued search for the Holy Grail. An important piece of the Arthurian canon, «The Quest for the Holy Grail» adds to the rich world of King Arthur's court. Again we meet Gawain, Lancelot, and Galahad, as their quest for divinity moves forth.
The Saga of the Volsungs
"The Saga of the Volsungs" is one of the truly great Icelandic sagas. Composed sometime in the twelfth or thirteenth century by an unknown author, it is the story of Sigurd the dragon-slayer. Filled with elements of Norse mythology and great human drama, «The Saga of the Volsungs» has greatly influenced the fantasy genre of literature. Presented in this volume is the translation of Eiríkr Magnússon and William Morris.
Curious Myths of the Middle Ages
Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was an appealing character who was a member of the Anglican clergy. As an English antiquarian, hagiographer, novelist, and diverse scholar, he is remembered particularly as a writer of hymns, the best-known being «Onward, Christian Soldiers.» Baring-Gould was also well-known for his works on folklore and myth. One of his most lastingly admired works is «Curious Myths of the Middle Ages», a collection of 24 of the most universally held superstitions of the Medieval era. This volume reveals his knowledge and research when dealing with various accounts from the beliefs of the Middle Ages, as well as presents his research into the history and possible inspirations for the myths. Among these familiar tales are: «The Wandering Jew», a story of a Jewish shoemaker who is doomed to wander Earth until the Second Coming; «William Tell», a Swiss hero who shot an apple off his son's head; «The Fortunate Isles», also known as «Atlantis», posits the existence of a magical land in the west where paradise awaits, and many more distinguished stories.
Beowulf
Literary scholar, professor, and poet J. Lesslie Hall is best known for his 1897 translation of the Old English epic poem «Beowulf.» The famous plot focuses on the titular character of Beowulf, a Scandinavian hero who comes to the aid of the Danes to save their land from a human-demon monster named Grendel. After defeating Grendel, Beowulf must then kill Grendel's mother. He returns to Scandinavia with more fame and accord and eventually becomes king. Then fifty years later, a dragon attacks his kingdom, and the hero must fight once again to defend his title and his honor. What makes «Beowulf» a lasting classic is its depiction of the Norse traditions and culture. The people have strong connections inherent within a kinship society; if someone was killed, it was the family's duty to exact justice or receive payment for the death. "Beowulf "also shows an interesting dichotomy between the Norse pagan religion of when the story is set paired with the monotheistic Christian storytellers. Many scholars debate the epic poem's true stance on religion, but the tale gives an accurate depiction of how paganism deteriorated as monotheism flourished. Regardless of the reader's intent, though, Lesslie Hall's translation of «Beowulf» is a must-read for anyone interested in classic Anglo-Saxon literature.
Gargantua and Pantagruel
An elaborate parody written in the 16th century, «Gargantua and Pantagruel» is a comic blend of energetic realism and carnival fantasy. The two main characters are giants, a father and his son, who have numerous adventures. Many different types of people are satirized during their chivalric exploits, from lawyers to theologians, generals to monarchs, with humor that is often grotesque or obscene. Intertwined with this crude comedy, however, is the wisdom of Renaissance learning, which exposes countless examples of human foolishness. Divided into two volumes, one describes a sullied giant who grows into a grand knight and prince, and the other portrays his erudite son who himself becomes a Renaissance Socrates. Rabelais' work is full of freedom and laughter, as well as a certain understanding that will give readers a renewed worldview.
The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles
"The Golden Fleece And the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles" is Padraic Colum's classic retelling of principally the ancient mythological tales of Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. Also included are tales of the creation of the heavens and the earth, Zeus's battle with the Titans, Pandora's box (a jar in this case), Persephone in the Underworld, and the adventures of Hercules. With numerous illustrations by Willy Pogany these ancient myths are once again brought to life.
Aesop's Fables
If you have ever heard phrases like, «look before you leap,» «necessity is the mother of invention,» or «two wrongs don't make a right,» you are not alone. These phrases and many like them, which have become so commonplace, were first coined by Aesop. Born into slavery in ancient Greece, Aesop supposedly won his freedom with his learned wit. Collected here are his famous fables translated by George Fyler Townsend with a short biography of Aesop and a preface to the fables.
Popular Tales from the Norse
Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, friends since childhood, collaboratively published a series of Norwegian legends and folktales. In order to overcome language and dialect difficulties, the two modeled their style after the Brothers Grimm. The stories were originally published in pamphlets, but by 1870 the current collection was published, and the entire work was translated by Sir George Webbe Dasent, a professor of English literature and modern history at Kings College London. Asbjørnsen and Moe called his work «the best and happiest rendering of our tales that has appeared.» These simple yet charming stories are a treat for both children and adults, full of giants, trolls, heroes and princesses. The stories include: «East O' The Sun and West O' The Moon,» «Taming the Shrew,» «The Master Thief,» «The Widow's Son,» «The Three Billy-goats Gruff» and many others.
Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things
Upon his arrival in Japan in 1890, Lafcadio Hearn found himself enamored with the culture, people, and stories of the country, and would make Japan his home until his death in 1904. His collections of stories published during this time became the most popular of Hearn’s writings, and earned him veneration worldwide as not only a great translator of Japanese mythology, but as a sensational teller of strange and wonderfully macabre tales. “Kwaidan” is most commonly translated as weird or horror tales, but to assign one word to the people, places, ghosts, and gods in this work, one can only use the word strange. This collection of supernatural tales includes twenty stories translated from old Japanese texts. Hearn was made a professor of English literature in the Imperial University of Tokyo in 1895, and is today revered by the Japanese for providing significant insights into their own national character.