Rachel Reviews: Storyland by Amy Jeffs

I've always been fascinated by myths and Britain is a country where it feels like they are barely buried beneath the land, releasing their magic, from the Highlands of Scotland to the tor of Glastonbury. I couldn't imagine rewriting them but that's exactly what Amy Jeffs has done here: taken the ancient myths of Great Britain (and Ireland to some extent) and crafted them into short stories, with an authorial note at the end of each one showing her reflections on each as well as an anecdote if she's visited the real life places to which they relate.

She has used primary sources as her inspiration so the book is well-researched, the names of people like Geoffrey of Monmouth mentioned. Well-known legends like Arthur and Merlin are mixed with those that were new to me like Brutus and Bladud.

The story of Estrildis I found particularly moving. A woman desired by a king only to be imprisoned in an underground cave where she stoically endures her fate. Giving birth to a daughter in the dank underground cavern, Estrildis then becomes a pawn in the power play between a king and his jealous wife. It does not end well and the relating of this particular myth, I am not ashamed to admit, made me cry.

Not only are the stories beautifully told, evoking emotion, pathos and a sense of our origin but they also show the making of Britain stems from civilisations more ancient that even we would guess, which I have to say surprised me completely as well as enchanting me. In addition to the storytelling, Jeffs has chosen to illustrate her stories with lino cuts she crafted, depicted in black and white and which, with their very starkness and simplicity, add a timelessness to the book - you have the perfect blend of the pictorial with the tale-telling.

This book captures the essence of the myths in a modern, accessible book which shapes the originals, re-morphing them you could say, and succeeds in perpetuating the spirit that is felt in the soul of any reader when invited into the world of myth.

A wonderful read which will stay with me, both in my consciousness and my heart, but also on my bookshelf.

Rachel Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐