Andrew Lang (1844–1912) in collaboration with his wife Leonora Blanche Alleyne (1851-1933) published The Red Fairy Book in 1890 following The Blue Fairy Book of the previous year, the second volume of was to become a series of twenty five books of fantastical tales from around the world, ending with “The Strange Story Book” published in 1923.

As in the first collection, The Red Fairy contains many traditional favourites including “Rapunzel, “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “The Pied Piper” ( here known as “The Ratcatcher”). While many of these have some vestige of the narrative we may be accustomed to through many sanitised adaptations, there are many surprises!

The telling of these stories in the “Red Fairy Book” are by no means the cosy bedtime stories we might expect. Hideous Trolls, atrocious parenting, and gruesome deaths abound! There is no attempt to soften the edges or the expunge the blood thirsty fates that befall may of the unfortunate characters.

However the universal themes of reward and punishment, the conquering power of love, faith and self-sacrifice are self-evident and are the reason that such tales never really lose their appeal.

Head Stories Audio presents " The Red Fairy Book", narrated by Simon Hester. With original music.