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Sara Maitland
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From the Forest: A Search for the Hidden Roots of our Fairytales Kindle Edition

by Sara Maitland (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 194 ratings
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An insightful, beautifully written study of how nature has influenced popular fairy tales like Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood—pairing 12 modern retellings with detailed histories of Northern European forests.
 
Fairy tales are one of our earliest cultural forms, and forests one of our most ancient landscapes. Both evoke similar sensations: At times, they are beautiful and magical, at others—spooky and sometimes horrifying. Maitland argues that the terrain of these fairy tales are intimately connected to the mysterious secrets and silences, gifts, and perils.

With each chapter focusing on a different story and a different forest visit, Maitland offers a complex history of forests and how they shape the themes of fairy tales we know best. She offers a unique analysis of famous stories including Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretal, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Rumplestiltskin, and Sleeping Beauty. Maitland uses fairy tales to explore how nature itself informs our imagination, and she guides the reader on a series of walks through northern Europe’s best forests to explore both the ecological history of forests and the roots of fairy tales. In addition to the twelve modern retellings of these traditional fairy tales, she includes beautiful landscape photographs taken by her son as he joined her on these long walks.

Beautifully written and impeccably researched, Maitland has infused new life into tales we’ve always thought we've known.
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  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Counterpoint
  5. Publication date
    November 1, 2012
  6. File size
    5481 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“In this lovely, inventive book, Maitland pursues the psychic juncture between forests and fairy tales…the author's research is diligent, her analytical skills sharp, and her prose lean and compelling…The argument she makes for a connection between the woods and the fairy tale is a convincing one and so finely constructed that this odd marriage between fiction and essay proves successful and thought–provoking.”
—Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Sara Maitland grew up in London and South West Scotland. Maitland is the author of several books including the Counterpoint Press title, Book of Silence and Daughter of Jerusalem, winner of the Somerset Maugham Award in 1978. She studied English at Oxford University. She currently lives in Newton Stewart, UK.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B009NRFCR2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Counterpoint; First Trade Paper edition (November 1, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5481 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 194 ratings

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Sara Maitland

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
194 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Helen
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2023
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This has great forest knowledge but also wonderful literature and fairy tale comprehension. I enjoyed every chapter, with quotes from professionals but also wonderful walks with friends. I underlined a great deal with magical turns of phrase. And have several new references. Her new fairy tales at the end of each chapter are also delightful, modern, interesting and intriguing. I have at least two woods I need to find.
One person found this helpful
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groundhog
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully woven stories and essays
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2019
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This book doesn't fit a particular category well, and might not please those looking for a rigorous scholarly exploration into fairy tales and folklore, but it was a truly delightful read, going back and forth from essays weaving personal experience with abundant fascinating facts to original versions of classic fairy tales, which were lovely unto themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading this book, and it was one of the rare books I was sad to finish.
5 people found this helpful
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Mary Yaeger
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book and even better if you can visit the forests described in it.
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2013
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I like the idea of this book but have only skimmed through it. If and when I have the opportunity to visit the forests described in its pages then I will read it and write a review.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read so far
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021
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Interesting stories and reads almost like a memoir. I also love the history given on various trees and their relation to why they may appear to be prominent over others. Haven’t finished yet but I have enjoyed what I have read so far.
4 people found this helpful
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William H.
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful chidren's book
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2021
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The book is as described and shipped promptly.
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Emmie
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2015
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Interesting context and well written, a bit of a trudge for those who aren't die hard nature enthusiasts.
3 people found this helpful
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Bri Saussy
5.0 out of 5 stars Way into the Woods
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2013
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I loved every single thing about this book. Sara Maitland has done a marvelous job showcasing various woods in England and Scotland and linking them to the fairy tales and the fairy telling traditions of Europe. From her thoughts on the connection between landscape and form of story telling and oral tradition, to the unique artistry which which she details specific characteristics of each forest she wanders in, and her own retellings of the fairy tales of my childhood (my favorite being her version of Rumplestiltskin) I absolutely devoured every page. Highly recommended.
9 people found this helpful
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Elizabeth Margarrete
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2016
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excellent material...just difficult to get through...very wordy...the Wisdom of Solitude so clearer and easier to read..one of my favorites
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

JGL
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling tales
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2012
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Most of us will be familiar with the tales retold here but the author's journeys and reflections in today's forests offer an imaginative insight into the social mores of the times they were written and how relevant these still are today. There appears to be a resurgence in interest in Grimms' tales at the moment and this book acts as an excellent companion piece to them, both to the stories in here and the new book by Philip Pullman for example. The explorations in British forests are beautifully described and stand comparison with Roger Deakin and Oliver Rackham without being either too "scientific" or "new age". I can also recommend getting this on kindle as the photographs reproduce well on the kindle fire and other tablets.
6 people found this helpful
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Stella Tomlinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of fascinating facts & observations - really enjoyed it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2021
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A really evocative book. I enjoyed how the author takes us on journey through the year through various British forests and woodlands - I felt like I was there with her and could smell the earth and hear the rustling leaves. I appreciated the historical nuggets and perspectives and I absolutely loved the modern retelling of the old fairy tales. Lots to enjoy in this book on many levels. Highly recommended.
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sharona27
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2014
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This is a very interesting book that is an interesting mixture of fact and fiction. Her retelling of many fairy stories are particularly interesting - except the final one of Sleeping Beauty which I feel is too self-conscious. At times the link between forests and fairy stories is too tenuous: she repeats the central premise enough for me to feel that it's a simple idea struggling to maintain such a big book. YET it's a book of insight, lovely description, interesting anecdote and a reminder of the joy of fairy stories and I felt a hankering to go to the woods for a range at points. Final point: why are the few photos black and white??
5 people found this helpful
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bobletness
5.0 out of 5 stars thought-provoking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2013
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This is a most excellent book which will appeal to the folklore/feminist scholar or the folklorist alike. Sara delves into the history and folklore of our well-known forests in a way that makes you want to put your hiking boots on and join her! I wish I had known of her books when I was studying at university as she says what I WANTED to put into words so well! Sara doesn't just love the forest, she UNDERSTANDS the relationship between our ancient stories/legends and our modern existence. This book will appeal on SO many levels - to the casual observer who loves nature/ the wildwood; the scholar of folklore/history; the mystic seeking a deeper understanding of our story-telling past; the casual observer of life generally. This is by far the best non-fiction book I have read in years!
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H. A. Weedon
3.0 out of 5 stars Why have German Folk Tales for UK Forests?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 7, 2013
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This work, which is based on some good ideas and is good in parts, ultimately fails because it tries to relate German (Grimm) folk tales to English, Welsh and Scottish woods. Since there's such a wide variety of UK folk tales to call upon this really does seem a strange way of doing things. Worse still, the author's retelling of twelve Grimm fairy tales leaves much to be desired and often misses the point of the originals.

A case in point is her re-writing of the Grimm Bothers version of Rumpelstiltskin when she could have used the English (Suffolk) version of the tale entitled Tom Tit Tot and its sequel, The Gypsy Woman, both of which have their roots in ancient times when the county of Suffolk was divided in two by a great forest running from north to south right through the middle of the county. Remnants of this great forest still exist with one of the largest situated between Ipswich and Hadleigh and called Wolves Wood, which is currently owned and managed by the RSPB. It was one of the last places in England where wolves were found and this great forest was responsible for Suffolk having been divided into two administrative Counties: East Suffolk and West Suffolk, with Suffolk not becoming a single county until after the boundary changes instigated during the early Nineteen Seventies.

This is just one example of how the book could have been made so much more relevant and instructive had the author researched more deeply into the history of each forest mentioned in her book. Had she done so she would certainly have discovered a wealth of fairy tales actually invented in and relating to each of the forests. Come to that, Sara Maitland could have invented her own fairy and folk tales and related one of them to each wood mentioned in her book. Some of us still compose and eventually write down new folk tales and fairy stories.

The forests mentioned are: Airyolland Wood, Saltbridge Wood, The New Forest, Epping Forest, Great North Wood, Staverton Thicks, Forest of Dean, Forest of Mar, Kielder Forest, The Purgatory Wood, Glenlee and Knockman Wood. I was born and brought up close to a large wood that was carefully coppiced and managed and was full of a fascinating variety of flora and fauna and I spent many happy hours there sometimes imagining characters from my favourite folk tales travelling through it. I appreciate what Sara Maitland is trying to do and she sometimes succeeds; but she would have succeeded much better had she not tried to graft German folk tales onto British forests when there's a vast wealth of English folk tales that would have suited her purpose far better, not to mention all the Welsh and Scottish ones.

No country has a greater variety of folk dances, folk songs and folk tales than England. The only reason why English people think they haven't got these is because it's a national characteristic of theirs to talk themselves down. Anyway, it's not my intention to talk this book right down. It's easy to read and contains some useful information, which is why I'm awarding it three stars.
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