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Coming of the Fairies — Occult Philosophy

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Coming of the Fairies

Name: Coming of the Fairies
Price: 20.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781017430639

✍️ Doyle, Arthur Conan

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Arthur Conan Doyle's academic study of fairy folklore and historical accounts.

This volume functions as a critical analysis rather than a narrative story. It compiles evidence from various historical periods to assess the validity and cultural weight of fairy tales. The author examines how these legends have influenced literature and spiritual thought in America and beyond. The text avoids fantastical embellishment, focusing instead on documented accounts and scholarly interpretation. Readers will find a systematic breakdown of folklore traditions that informs modern understanding of occult subjects. The structure allows for easy reference to specific mythological concepts discussed within the pages.

Key Themes

Fairy folklore Historical mythology Literary criticism

Literary Context

This work sits within the tradition of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century literary criticism and occult studies. It reflects a period where scholars began systematically documenting folklore as part of cultural history, bridging the gap between mythological legend and academic inquiry in American and European contexts.

Doyle, Arthur Conan

📚 all books by this author (28) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Arthur Conan Doyle's non-spiritualist works · Cottingley fairy photographs · Spiritualism history · Victorian/Edwardian folklore

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Occult Philosophy

🏛 Legare Street Press 📅 2022 📖 218 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781017430639

Fun Fact

Doyle’s 'Coming of the Fairies' is less an objective study and more a fascinating testament to fervent belief. It shines as a historical document of early 20th-century spiritualism and the enduring human desire for wonder beyond the mundane. Readers seeking rigorous scientific proof will be disappointed, but those interested in the cultural impact of folklore, the history of occultism, and the intellectual journey of a literary giant will find it utterly captivating. It's a cornerstone text for understanding the spiritualist movement's reach.

📝 Description: Coming of the Fairies

Arthur Conan Doyle presents a scholarly examination of fairy lore in Coming of the Fairies. This work collects and analyzes various accounts regarding the existence of fairies, drawing upon historical records and contemporary testimonies to explore the cultural significance of these figures. The text is organized as a literary collection that bridges folklore with broader historical narratives, offering readers a structured look at how these myths have been perceived across different eras. The book covers subjects within literary criticism and occultism, positioning itself at the intersection of mythology and spiritual inquiry. Doyle utilizes sources from American literary traditions and general history to construct his arguments. The volume includes detailed discussions on specific fairy tales and legends, providing context for their origins and evolution. It is suitable for readers interested in the academic study of folklore and those seeking to understand the historical roots of mystical beliefs. It may not appeal to those looking for practical witchcraft guides or modern fantasy fiction. This paperback edition contains 218 pages and measures 23.39 centimeters in length. The physical dimensions are 15.6 centimeters wide and 1.17 centimeters high, weighing 0.31 kilograms. The content is presented in a format accessible to students of literature and history. Doyle’s background as a writer informs the analytical approach taken throughout the text. The work remains a relevant resource for those studying the cultural impact of fairy legends in Western society.

💎 Expert review

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💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While Doyle’s dedication to the Cottingley fairy photographs is undeniably sincere, this book may frustrate readers seeking hard empirical evidence or literary fiction. It is not suited for strict materialists who dismiss folklore outright, nor for those expecting the crisp deductive brilliance of Sherlock Holmes; instead, it offers a passionate argument rooted in personal conviction rather than objective proof. Readers looking for a straightforward debunking or a purely academic historical analysis might find the tone overly emotional. However, for those open to understanding the psychological and cultural weight of spiritualist belief in the early 20th century, it remains an insightful, if controversial, glimpse into a mind grappling with the mystical.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of logic and the supernatural will find this volume uniquely compelling. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, celebrated for his rational detective fiction, applies his rigorous analytical methods to the Cottingley fairy photographs, offering a sincere defense against scientific skepticism. Those interested in the history of spiritualism or the cultural phenomenon of fairies will appreciate Doyle's earnest inquiry into the unseen world. It is an ideal choice for those who enjoy exploring how prominent figures grappled with the boundaries of accepted reality during a time of profound societal shift toward esoteric understanding.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're captivated by the intersection of folklore, spiritualism, and literary history, this book is for you. Dive into the mind of a great author as he champions a belief many found preposterous, offering a unique window into early 20th-century occult thought.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While Doyle’s dedication to the Cottingley fairy photographs is undeniably sincere, this book may frustrate readers seeking hard empirical evidence or literary fiction. It is not suited for strict materialists who dismiss folklore outright, nor for those expecting the crisp deductive brilliance of Sherlock Holmes; instead, it offers a passionate argument rooted in personal conviction rather than objective proof. Readers looking for a straightforward debunking or a purely academic historical analysis might find the tone overly emotional. However, for those open to understanding the psychological and cultural weight of spiritualist belief in the early 20th century, it remains an insightful, if controversial, glimpse into a mind grappling with the mystical.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes, Doyle was a staunch believer in the authenticity of the Cottingley fairy photographs and dedicated significant effort to promoting them as genuine evidence of spiritual phenomena, integrating them into his broader spiritualist philosophy.

This work is unequivocally a passionate defense. Doyle approaches the subject with earnest conviction, aiming to persuade readers of the fairies' reality rather than offering a detached, critical examination of the evidence or its origins.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Reality of Fairies

Doyle’s primary focus is to present a serious argument for the literal existence of fairies. He meticulously examines the Cottingley photographs and related testimonies, interpreting them not as childish pranks or optical illusions, but as genuine evidence of diminutive, ethereal beings inhabiting our world, challenging materialistic views of nature.

Spiritualism's Embrace

This book is deeply rooted in Doyle’s fervent commitment to Spiritualism. He views the appearance of fairies as another manifestation of the unseen spiritual world, aligning these sightings with other phenomena like séances and psychic communication. It underscores his belief that humanity is surrounded by dimensions beyond conventional perception.

Challenging Skepticism

Doyle directly confronts the scientific and societal skepticism of his time. He argues that dismissing such phenomena out of hand demonstrates a narrow-mindedness, advocating for an open-minded, even empirical, approach to investigating the supernatural. The work itself became a flashpoint in the ongoing debate between science and esoteric belief.

📜 Historical context

Published in 1922, 'Coming of the Fairies' emerged during a post-World War I era ripe for spiritual seeking and questioning established norms. Doyle, a prominent Spiritualist, positioned this work as a serious contribution to understanding the unseen, clashing sharply with the burgeoning scientific rationalism of the time and forever linking his name to the Cottingley Fairies.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Cottingley Fairies
Occultism

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does the concept of 'seeing is believing' clash with the idea of faith or spiritual conviction, as explored in Doyle's work?
Consider how societal skepticism might shape what we are willing to perceive or accept as truth, both then and now.
Reflect on how your own worldview might be challenged or expanded by considering the possibility of hidden, non-human intelligences.