A doorway in Fairyland

A doorway in Fairyland by Laurence Housman is a collection of fairy tales written in the late 19th to early 20th century. These ornate, dreamlike tales follow humble lovers, guileless wanderers, and steadfast children as they bargain with moon-fays, wish through enchanted vessels, ride impossible tools, and test their courage for love. The themes center on fidelity, mercy, and daring, with magic that answers the brave heart more than the clever tongue. Readers who enjoy lyrical, old-world fantasy and tender, ironic humor will find much to savour.

The opening of the collection presents four interlinked wonder-tales. In The Blue Moon, the princess Nillywill and her peasant beloved Hands-pansy are reunited and carried by a moon-fay’s reindeer sledge to the blue moon, where one true wish ends their earthly grief. In The Wishing-Pot, Tulip braves a witch’s crystal vessel to chase the fleet “green feet” he loves, later trapping the witch in her own pot and discovering his beloved is the king’s desolate daughter, whose joy returns as they are wed. The Way of the Wind follows poor Katipah, who flies a kite until the West Wind (Gamma-gata) courts her; a sky-sent child, a jealous neighbor’s malice, and a public trial end with the wind-borne rescue that proves Katipah’s courage and clears her name. The Bound Princess introduces Noodle, a simpleton with a magic “Sweetener” ring: he wins the Galloping Plough, masters the Thirsty Well, finds Princess Melilot rooted and spellbound, fetches the Burning Rose from a giant’s dream with help from the Fire-eaters, restores her memory and heartbeat, and sets out next to win her breath from the Camphor-Worm. (This is an automatically generated summary.)