The Coming of the Fairies

Name: The Coming of the Fairies
Price: 25.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Author: Doyle, Arthur Conan
ISBN: 9781618958488

✍️ Doyle, Arthur Conan

☆ Reader reviews: none yet — be the first

25 $

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

From the mind that gave us logic's master, a surprising journey into the realm of the unseen.

Best known for crafting the meticulously logical Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle embarked on a fascinating detour into the metaphysical. This peculiar 1921 work reveals his profound conviction in the existence of fairies, presenting photographs and anecdotal accounts as irrefutable proof. Doyle, a dedicated spiritualist, viewed these phenomena not as mere folklore, but as tangible evidence of a broader, spiritual reality. It offers a unique window into a brilliant mind grappling with beliefs seemingly at odds with his famed rationalism, sparking widespread debate upon its release.

Key themes

{'title': 'Belief Beyond Reason', 'body': 'Doyle, a man of profound intellect, champions the existence of otherworldly beings with a fervent conviction. This book explores the personal journey of belief, how evidence is interpreted through a spiritual lens, and the courage required to publicly advocate for controversial supernatural claims, even when confronting widespread skepticism from his peers and the public.'} {'title': 'The Occult Revival', 'body': 'Published during a period of intense interest in spiritualism and the unseen, this work is a product of its time. It reflects the post-WWI yearning for spiritual reassurance and the pervasive fascination with psychic phenomena and the supernatural, showcasing how even prominent figures sought validation for their spiritual experiences through what they considered scientific inquiry.'} {'title': "Visual 'Evidence'", 'body': "Central to Doyle's argument are the now-famous photographs of the Cottingley fairies. The book delves into how these images were presented and perceived as authentic proof of elemental spirits. It raises questions about photographic authenticity, the power of visual media to shape belief, and the human desire for tangible confirmation of the magical."}

🏛 Bibliotech Press 📅 2020 📖 132 pages 📔 Hardcover 📐 Hardcover ISBN: 9781618958488

In stock — ready to ship

Fun fact

Doyle's "The Coming of the Fairies" is a fascinating historical artifact, offering a unique glimpse into a celebrated rationalist grappling with the inexplicable. It excels as a document of early 20th-century spiritualism and the human desire for magic. Readers seeking rigorous scientific inquiry will be disappointed, but those interested in intellectual history, the occult, or the psychology of belief will find it profoundly thought-provoking, a curious outlier in Doyle's storied career.

📝 Description: The Coming of the Fairies

Best remembered for his creation of Sherlock Holmes, the world's first consulting detective and a dedicated adherent to logic, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in later life became fascinated by the occult. In this peculiar 1921 nonfiction work, Conan Doyle ...

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books — add yours →

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you're intrigued by the intersection of renowned intellects and the esoteric, or curious about the enduring allure of folklore and spiritualism, this book is for you. Dive into Doyle's passionate defense of the unseen, and ponder the nature of belief itself.

Reader rating

Reviews yet. Be the first!

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely not. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle presented "The Coming of the Fairies" as a serious, non-fiction treatise, genuinely believing he was offering irrefutable scientific proof of elemental spirits.

The book was met with a mix of fascination, ridicule, and staunch criticism. While it captivated many spiritualists, it drew widespread skepticism from the scientific community and even some within the occult field.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Belief Beyond Reason

Doyle, a man of profound intellect, champions the existence of otherworldly beings with a fervent conviction. This book explores the personal journey of belief, how evidence is interpreted through a spiritual lens, and the courage required to publicly advocate for controversial supernatural claims, even when confronting widespread skepticism from his peers and the public.

The Occult Revival

Published during a period of intense interest in spiritualism and the unseen, this work is a product of its time. It reflects the post-WWI yearning for spiritual reassurance and the pervasive fascination with psychic phenomena and the supernatural, showcasing how even prominent figures sought validation for their spiritual experiences through what they considered scientific inquiry.

Visual 'Evidence'

Central to Doyle's argument are the now-famous photographs of the Cottingley fairies. The book delves into how these images were presented and perceived as authentic proof of elemental spirits. It raises questions about photographic authenticity, the power of visual media to shape belief, and the human desire for tangible confirmation of the magical.

💬 Quotes from the book

«To deny the existence of these charming, ephemeral beings is to close one's mind to the very wonders that grace our world, and to reject the evidence staring us plainly in the face.»

«The photographic plate, that unblinking eye of truth, has here captured what the jaded eye of man has too long dismissed as mere fancy. We have the proof.»

📜 Historical context

Emerging from the spiritualist fervor of the early 20th century, particularly after the devastations of WWI, Doyle's work aligns with a broader societal search for meaning beyond the material. It exemplifies how prominent figures, including scientific minds, sought to reconcile empirical observation with spiritual conviction, placing it firmly within the tradition of occult literature that sought to legitimize supernatural claims.

📚 Glossary

Spiritualism
Occult
Cottingley Fairies

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider your own beliefs: What "evidence" would it take for you to accept something currently considered impossible or fantastical?
How might a belief system, like Doyle's spiritualism, influence one's interpretation of seemingly objective facts or images?
Reflect on the tension between logic and intuition. In what areas of your life do you prioritize one over the other, and why?