Storyland

I picked this book up to complement my reading of Wild by the same author. Storyland is Dr. Jeff's first published book. The title itself is an excellent summation of what the reader will find within the book. Britain, and all of the countries that made it up as a whole over the vast period of its existence, have a number of legends associated with them that still inform the culture of the peoples to this day. While some of the stories may be more remote now, they can still be read into the naming of the landscape, and the attitudes of the peoples who live there. Storyland collects these legends and folklore and breathes new life into them, that we may read them and see them once more.

The stories that make up this book are everything from the Giant's Dance, which later turned into Stonehenge to the death of Merlin, and the slaying of Gogmagog. There are stories familiar to everyone - such as King Arthur - and more remote stories such as that of Locrin. Reading this you'll learn how the Humber and the Severn got their names, and where the red dragon of Wales came from originally. The Mabinogion is well-represented, as are so many sources less familiar to myself as a reader.

The book is exceptionally well-researched, and dense, but easy to read. Each story is accompanied with a linocut illustration that is gorgeous to behold. After every story is an analysis of it, and a recounting of visiting the site where the story took place. How might the physicality of being there alter the perspective, or enhance it? How might things change? It's an interesting question, and Jeffs makes a fantastic argument for the stories being part of the landscape - changing, but only growing larger over time. It made me badly wish to retrace her steps myself.

This is a phenomenal book, and coupled with her second one, I can safely say I will read anything that she puts out. I can't recommend her enough, and I look forward to my upcoming interview with her.

This book made me fall in love with folklore. Storyland weaves together retellings of British tales and the author’s own commentary, illustrated with linocuts. Jeffs takes the reader on a journey through medieval Britain, yet her focus on folklore means that the book is not bogged down in dry statistics; there is a richness to her writing that carries on into the commentary, meaning readers with little previous knowledge of the subject (such as myself) can access the book just as easily as an expert can.
I think my favourite thing about this book is how it balances knowledge and readability. Jeffs clearly knows the subject, and the book shows that she has clearly researched it in depth. Yet she manages to avoid being dry: the book perfectly balances being enjoyable and containing detailed information, so as a reader I was able to understand and engage with the book without feeling that I’d lost any information.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history, folklore and the stories that run through the land.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy! I loved this one! It was incredible! My favourite was the one with King Arthur and Merlin, but all the other stories were wonderful as well!

I really enjoyed this book! I read all kinds of mythology books so I was excited to read this one next. This is one of those books where you cannot put it down! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ebook ARC!

It is deep, insightful , vivid and unputdownable. It was fascinating to read about myths and history. There is a thing about mythology, one is never certain about the degree of truth it holds but if it’s written well, it certainly grips the readers. It is the re-imagination of medieval tales crafted so brilliantly. Read the poignant tales of people, ancient lands, magic, power, ritual, prophecy, homeland, exile, love, betrayal, fall and rise of Christianity, love and loss, odyssey of freedom and founding it all again.

I loved the author’s writing. It’s deep, descriptive and compelling. Would definitely like to read more of the author’s works. I also liked reading this well researched and insightful book. Thank you NetGalley, Author and Publishers for providing the book.

What a book! Just incredible. Listen mythology aficionados, read this book. Then read it again. And then read it again. And then keep reading it as if it is your bible. Best book on mythology I have read in a long while now. Amazing!

Storyland is a fascinating narrative take on history and legend. I loved the use of images, and the writer's voice was clear and included loads of captivating details.

This is an idiosyncratic and rather fast and loose retelling of a great range of tales and myths. The author is a congenial companion, and the text is interesting enough to be worth a look.

Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain was an entertaining read that took the reader through the early history of Britain via a series of sequential myths. I enjoyed how each tale was followed by a brief commentary outlining its origins and the author's thoughts. Most of the stories I was already familiar with, but a couple were new to me, and I think this is a book that will appeal to lovers of folklore and myth as it is a delightful collection told in an engaging manner. It gets four stars from me.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Andrews McMeel for an advance copy of this illustrated tome on English mythology and legends.

Britain has more stories probably per acre than anywhere else on Earth. England probably has just as many origin stories as the most misunderstood character in Marvel or DC comics. Giants, survivors from Troy, rebels from Syria, the North, the East, from under the Earth. Legends merge and create even greater stories. Add in religion, and suddenly even those stories change. This giant was killed by sword, no by cross. And a lot of stories about dragons. Myths are what makes a people, gives them something to remember and to dream about. I am sure in the time of Brexit, people looked to any mounds and wished that King Arthur would return in the time of England's greatest need and smote a few idiots. Myths need to be retold, to be dusted off for new generations to show where a people came from and how they have come so far. Wonderful illustrations are also a plus. Storyland:A New Mythology of Britain by historian and printmaker Dr. Amy Jeffs is a new way of looking at the lore of Britain, how important they are, and what they look like, and even more reflect today.

The book begins with a introduction to where the ideas for the book came from, and the work on the illustrations, and why they are woodcuts. From there we start at a time when giants strode the earth, bringing stones from Africa to Ireland by swimming far away from the coasts. These giants settled in different areas, and soon were met by other visitors. Refugees from Troy, a large group of survivors preceded by rebels from Syria battled with the Picts and soon began setting up tracts of land that were under their rule, killing or throwing the giants tha remained into the sea. Readers learn of captured jewelers who set out elaborate plans to get back at their captors. Or twin dragons who lay under a tower, bringing parts of it down every night. Knights tired of killing, leaving their wifes and dying after one great fight. Uther, Merlin, Arthur and his knights with a sword in a stone.

The book features different myths, with a section following about how the story has changed, sources, and what the area it took place in looks like today. I have always loved books on folklore and myths since reading Editih Hamilton as a boy. This is one of the best written most interesting collections that I have read in awhile. The writing is very good, the way the book is set up is well done, as are the illustrations that accompany the stories. Jeffs is very good at making these stories seem not only real but important. Some might say who cares about dragons, or Queens who kill stepsons, but all these stories still speak to us about emotions, fears, ethics and being human. Jeffs doesn't exploit the events that make up some of these myths, relates them and shows what other ideas might have come from them. A very good collection, and impressive for a book that was a debut.

Readers of myths and magical stories aren't the only audience for this collection. Writers will find plenty of great ideas for novels, or characters in their works. Roleplayers can find inspiration for adventures and comic readers will look at a lot of these stories and have many, hey wait a minute that's from moments. I look forward to reading Dr. Jeffs does next.

'Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain' takes the reader through the early history of Britain through the eyes of myth and weaves the two together. Jeffs knows her subject well, has done her research, and has woven stories that are engaging and accessible (not dry or too academic for the casual reader.) Lovers of myth, folklore and history will enjoy this collection and the accompanying linocuts are beautiful.
Thank you Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.