Five original stories where strange changes occur, from a boy and a cat changing places and a young man learning the price of selfishness to an invisible princess finding herself.
From the bestselling author of the Heralds of Valdemar series comes an enchanting novel. In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale.… Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella—until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter—until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job.… Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney, she has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with…. Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done….
"Pictures of Hellas: Five Tales of Ancient Greece" by Peder Mariager Ancient Greece has always fascinated people, thus when Peder Mariager compiled this book of tales that can be traced back to this period of history, it was an instant success. Featuring more obscure tales than what can be found in most texts of Greek legends, the stories in this compilation are: Zeus Hypsistos, The Sycophant, The Hetaeria, Too Happy, and Lycon with the Big Hand.
One of the oldest books in the world, The Oceans of Cruelty is a sequence of twenty-five tales from India whose central theme is the dark power of storytelling. At the start, a young king falls into the hands of a wicked sorcerer, who orders him to find a vetala, or corpse spirit, to serve him; the young king must do as he is told, and soon enough he is also under the sway of the no less malevolent spirit. Like a bat, the spirit hangs from the branches of a tree, and the king is condemned to bear it on his back through a dark forest as it whispers a riddling story in his ear. These are tales of suicidal passion, clever deceit, patriarchal oppression, and narrow escapes from death, and as long as the king can resolve the problems they pose, his bondage continues; the vampiric creature goes on commanding his attention in the dark. Only when the king is out of answers will he at last be free, though when that comes to pass—well, that’s when the whole story takes a new turn. Douglas Penick’s re-creation of this ancient work brings out all its humor and horror and vitality, as well its unmistakable relevance in a world of stories gone viral.
From the mind of prodigy cartoonist Zao Dao comes Cuisine Chinoise: Five Tales of Life and Food, featured here in English for the first time! From insects looking for a meal made of ghosts, to a man named Yuzi who's passion for cooking is the only hope of maintaining a family legacy, these wonderfully illustrated stories explore the rich and humorous lives of the characters within. This volume showcases the wonderful relationship between Chinese folklore and culture to food!
Exploring the intricacies of folklore, 'The Baitâl Pachchisi; Or, The Twenty-Five Tales of a Sprite' offers a rich tapestry of narratives that celebrate the intersection of tradition, culture, and storytelling. This anthology captures the essence of oral tradition, transmuted into written form, thereby preserving the nuanced layers of moral, ethical, and philosophical dilemmas inherent in each tale. The diversity of literary styles and the profound themes addressed in these tales showcase the adaptability and timeless nature of folklore, making standout contributions to the genre without overshadowing the collective spirit of the narrative structure unified by the editorial guidance. The contributing authorsLallu Lal, John T. Platts, and Mazhar Ali Khanbring forth a collection that resonates with the historical and cultural contexts of their times, imbued with the essence of their collective wisdom and literary acumen. This anthology aligns with the broader literary movements of preservation and scholarly study of folklore, weaving together tales that offer deep insights into human nature, societal norms, and cultural idiosyncrasies. Their backgrounds enrich the collection, presenting a coherent narrative that bridges diverse cultural and historical landscapes, thus offering a compendium that is as educational as it is entertaining. 'The Baitâl Pachchisi; Or, The Twenty-Five Tales of a Sprite' is recommended for readers seeking to immerse themselves in the multifaceted world of folklore, with its rich array of characters, themes, and moral dilemmas. This anthology offers a unique opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of literary styles and themes, encouraging an engagement with the texts that is both intellectually stimulating and culturally enlightening. It invites readers to traverse the landscapes of tradition and modernity, through tales that not only entertain but also serve as a mirror to the complexities of human life and the societies we inhabit.