BOOK REVIEW - Field Guide to the Little People
Mike
Llewellyn Worldwide ISBN: 978-0-7387-1549-0 335 pages Paperback
$24.95 (U.S.) $28.95 (Canada) www.llewellyn.com
Do the Little People exist? Well, as an individual with connections
to the Sidhe, I have to say that I have no doubts personally. I have
seen the results of their actions, even if my vision isn’t sharp
enough to see them in action. Add to that the centuries of recorded
interactions between the races of the Otherworld and humanity and you
have a good starting point for belief.
Nancy Arrowsmith wrote this book over 30 years ago (it was first
published in 1977) and it has been sought after by researchers
throughout that time. It was about time that someone brought it back
into general circulation, and Llewellyn finally did so.
Ms. Arrowsmith has taken the time to make an attempt at classification
and differentiation. Besides the extremes of Light and dark Elves,
she has explored the much larger field of Dusky Elves – those whose
interactions with humanity are less consistent and more influenced by
circumstances and attitudes on both sides.
But the identification and location of their habitats is only a small
part of this intrigui9ng book. It contains encounters with the Little
People (and profuse illustrations). These are not the polished “fairy
tales,” nor the morality stories of the churchmen. These are the
recitations of country folk, for the most part, who have had
encounters, or who remember the old stories, and relate them simply
and directly.
She has culled accounts from books which have been published during
the past two or three centuries, and which contain some stories which
have occasionally surfaced in the better-known fairy tales we have all
heard. Those, however, are definitely in the minority. Most of the
accounts will be unfamiliar to the average reader.
Are all the stories true? Probably not, but there is an element of
reality which permeates this work. Whether you believe them or not,
the stories are worth reading, if only for their entertainment value.
The effort which went into accumulating the stories and information
boggles the mind.
I’m sure there are many people who will pooh-pooh this book, and that
is their privilege. For myself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would not
recommend it for the younger readers, but I know there are a lot of
people out there who will enjoy it, and once again help it move up the
list of popular books