Review: Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book by Terry Jones

Review by Jax

Book Blurb: This perennial bestseller never loses its charm. It really happened-a hoax perpetrated by two girls who claimed to have photographed actual "fairies"; among the people caught up in the popular hysteria were Arthur Conan Doyle (who fell for it) and Harry Houdini (who did not). This remarkable parody, written by a former member of the Monty Python troupe, takes a riotously witty, visually extraordinary, and wildly original look at what went on. In every respect, this "handwritten diary" captures the look of the age-though the fairies, it is true, do sometimes have a more malevolent aspect than one might expect...
A fresh-and funny-take on the true story that inspired two movies.

My Thoughts:  I was gifted this book YEARS ago, and it became an instant favorite. It's written by Terry Jones of Monty Python and Brian Froud, who's art inspired the movies Labyrinth and Dark Crystal.  

It is the facsimile of Lady Angelica Cottington's Journal - complete not with pretty flower pressings, but of fairies. It tells us the triumphs of a young girl who can now prove her stuffy Nanna how wrong she was. But is smart enough not to do so.

Fairies, being the mischievous and delightfully naughty creatures they are, tease and torment the dear girl throughout her life. (Speaking of naughty, there is even a section of pressings "sealed for the protection of the innocent." Don't worry, the seal slides off easily enough.) Nowhere is sacred. There's a reason she began bringing her pressed fairy book to church!

This book is whimsical, and morbid. It is dark and silly. To me, it has what makes fairy tales, true fairy tales, compelling and fun. Tricks, treats, rhymes and riddles - it's all there. 

Publisher: Sterling

Release Date: September 2, 2004

This book is owned by the reviewer.