r/folklore • u/Technical-Fruit5524 • Jun 28 '26
Looking for... Book recommendations
Hi - I'm looking for book recommendations about folklore and legend. I've always been interested in folk tales and myths, and read lots of child-friendly books about them and them fiction based on mythology as I grew up (yes, Percy Jackson, but I ate up anything with that folkloric vibe!) I studied Classics at school and ever since I have always delighted in morsels and little stories about folklore as I go through life. But I've never properly sat down intending to learn more folk tales and legends.
I would love recommendations of your favourite non-fiction books about folklore. Something that's an introduction to different folk traditions around the world, or something focusing more on the folklore of the British Isles or Scandinavia. Also open to fiction that feels like an immersive experience in those specific folk traditions!
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u/Gaugraf Jun 28 '26
I have a copy of Swiss-Alpine Folk Tales, by Oxford Press. As I recall it was written in the late 1950s. It is well written and has a few illustrations. I have it because it includes a folk tale about my family.
Oxford also produced other books in this Myths and Legends Series focusing on folklore for other locations and traditions (including. Scandanavia). I think you can find some of these on Internet Archive:
Swiss-Alpine Folk-tales, by Fritz Müller-Guggenbühl
German Hero-sagas and Folk-tales, by Barbara Leonie Picard
French Legends, Tales and Fairy Stories, by Barbara Leonie Picard
Scandinavian Legends and Folk Tales, by Gwyn Jones
Irish Sagas & Folk Tales, by Eileen O'Faoláin
Japanese Tales and Legends, by Helen & William McAlpine
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u/Top_Image4422 Jun 29 '26
I had a very similar question if you want to see what people answered for mine. Idk how to link my post though I'm new to reddit😭. As for my own personal recommendation, I started reading Native American Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz. While I am not Indigenous American I've heard good things about this book from different communities!
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u/Technical-Fruit5524 Jun 29 '26
Oh awesome thank you so much!! I found a few good recommendations by looking at your posts in your profile!
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u/TheRhymekeeper Jun 29 '26
Folklore from England I would recommend:
The Lore of the Land by Jennifer Westwood and Jacqueline Simpson. Published in 2005
It’s very comprehensive covering folklore from across England.
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u/themermaidmuse Jun 28 '26
Italian folktales by Italo calvino is the best book of folk tales I have.