The science of fairy tales
Edwin Sidney Hartland, an English solicitor and folklorist, published The Science of Fairy Tales in 1891 to bring the methods of comparative folklore to a general audience. Focusing on the fairy beliefs of Celtic and Teutonic peoples, he studies a handful of recurring story types: human midwives summoned to fairy births, changelings left in place of stolen children, treasures taken from fairyland, and the uncanny passage of time for mortals who spend a night among the fairies and return to find centuries gone. He compares versions from many countries and connects them to what he calls savage ideas about the soul and the dead. It is a careful and readable classic of Victorian folklore. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about The science of fairy tales
The science of fairy tales by Edwin Sidney Hartland can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The science of fairy tales online?
Yes. The science of fairy tales opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The science of fairy tales free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The science of fairy tales is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The science of fairy tales in the public domain?
Yes. The science of fairy tales by Edwin Sidney Hartland is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The science of fairy tales?
About 8 h 39 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The science of fairy tales?
The science of fairy tales by Edwin Sidney Hartland is filed under "Children's Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
