Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Both photos: grateful thanks to my blogger friend who writes Seasons in the Valley 

Title: Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Author: Emily Wilde

Publisher: not known 

Source book: Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett

My only knowledge of the Encyclopaedia of Faeries comes from a review of the source book published in March 2023. However, I have gathered that (the fictional) Emily Wilde is a professor at (the real) Cambridge University* and she specialises in the study of faeries. Emily has travelled all over the world researching the magical beings, legends and lore of various cultures. She is working on the first ever encyclopaedia of faery lore, and her research takes her to the apparently little known Scandinavian country of Ljosland.

I think I need to read the source book to write anything further about the Encyclopaedia, but I have learned that there is a sequel, in which Emily is engaged in creating a map of the ‘realms of faery’ (sorry: I could hardly bring myself to type that but the inverted commas made it a little easier), and she and her fellow scholar will be travelling to the Austrian alps in search of more things faerie. 

Just how did Emily complete her Encyclopaedia if she hasn’t yet been to Austria? I mean, I have been there. Sometimes only for 10 minutes, it’s true. But I feel sure there are many Austrian myths and legends. Mountainous regions usually seem to have lots: all those long dark winters snowed up in a remote valley…

*I wonder if Cambridge University is aware of the Faerie Faculty? I don’t think it features on any of their webpages.