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The Comte de Caylus was one of the major writers of the “second
wave” of fairy tales produced in the 1730s and 1740s, when the publication
of unlicensed works became far too abundant for effective suppression
by the authorities.
He displayed a flair for the bizarre that continually edged into the surreal,
and never entirely forsook the spirit of parody in which he had commenced.
His tales expand on the notion that the fays have a council which regulates
their activity and Faerie comes to refer to the polity of the fays, a
kind of parallel world in which fays and other supernatural beings live.
His collection of tales set in a land where faerie has determined the
people must change sex every year on their birthday also aspires to the
status of a conte philosophique. The real strength of his longer stories
lies in their many phantasmagorical elements.
No other writer of fairy tales gives the impression of dabbling in the
genre purely for fun, even if Caylus does take time out to add a literary
flourish, make a shrewd observation, or insert a serious argument. Because
of that, in spite of its literary flaws, Caylus’ work remains very
entertaining.
CONTENTS: Fééries Nouvelles (1741-1745)
Introduction
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Prince Courtebotte and Princess Zibeline
Rosanie
Prince Muguet and Princess Zaza
Tourlou and Rirette
The Yellow Bird
Princess Pimprenelle and Prince Romarin
The Gifts
Nonchalante and Papillon
The Palace of Ideas
Princess Luminous
Bleuette and Coquelicot
The Impossible Enchantment
Princess Minutie and King Floridor
The Prince of Hearts and Princess Grenadine
Princess Azerolle
Fleurette and Abricot: A Frame Story
The Mangy Wolf
Bellinette; or, The Young Old Woman
Author’s Preface to Cadichon & Jeanette
Cadichon; or, Everything Works Out for Him Who Waits
Jeannette; or, Indiscretion
Introduction and Notes by Brian Stableford
Cover by Mike Hoffman
Published by Black Coat Press in November 2018
ISBN: 978-1-61227-809-4
