About this book
Sleeping Beauty and other fairy tales From the Old French, retold by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch, invites listeners into a world of enchantment, courtly intrigue, and timeless wonder. Quiller-Couch began with translations from the great French anthology Cabinet des Fées and, finding literal translation unsatisfying, rewove four classic tales into graceful, accessible retellings that preserve their Old French spirit.
These Myths/Legends offer more than familiar plots: they explore destiny and transformation, the clash between magic and moral choice, and the social textures of historic courts and peasant life. Quiller-Couch’s prose balances antiquarian charm with modern clarity, making archaic motifs—spells, quests, enchanted sleep, and miraculous reversals—feel immediate and affecting without revealing key twists. The retellings reflect both the 18th–19th-century collecting tradition and an Edwardian storyteller’s sensibility, bridging folklore scholarship and literary imagination.
Perfect for listeners who love classic fairy tales, folklore enthusiasts, and fans of mythic retellings, this audiobook is a graceful entry into the Cabinet des Fées legacy—an atmospheric, family-friendly listening experience that highlights the enduring power of legend.
