About the author
Neil Philip is a British folklorist, poet, and children's literature scholar known for compiling and retelling traditional stories from oral and archival sources. His books here, The Watkins Book of Scottish Folktales and The Watkins Book of English Folktales, each gather more than a hundred folktales, presenting them close to the form in which they were originally collected rather than in heavily modernized retellings. Philip has worked extensively as an editor and anthologist of fairy tales and folklore, and his Watkins collections continue that focus, aiming to preserve the oral character and regional texture of Scottish and English storytelling traditions. The books are pitched at general readers drawn to fairy tale and folklore collections in the tradition of the Brothers Grimm, as well as at readers of literary retellings such as those by Philip Pullman, offering a broad, accessible survey rather than a specialist academic edition.
📖 Where to start with Neil Philip
💬 What our editors say about Neil Philip's books
“Neil Philip delivers a compelling collection that successfully transports readers back to an era defined by supernatural presence and oral storytelling. The authenticity of the reconstructed narratives provides a vivid glimpse…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Watkins Book of English Folktales
“Philip’s compilation stands as a robust testament to Scotland's oral tradition, weaving together over a hundred narratives with precision. The book succeeds in its goal of unveiling the stark beauty of the Highlands and the…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Watkins Book of Scottish Folktales
