Hag: Forgotten Folktales Retold

A collection of short stories that are retellings of British folklore and mythology selected and introduced by Professor Carolyne Larrington. The folktales take you across the country from Suffolk and green children, to boggarts in Yorkshire, Panthers in Stafford, selkies in Orkney and more.

These stories in most instances were brought into much more modern day scenarios, and many took on elements of magical realism to tell their stories, whilst others remained grounded in more everyday scenarios. I found the retellings both poignant and compelling as they held a much stronger contemporary critique. They touched on themes of domestic abuse, motherhood, sexuality, miscarriages, homophobia, mental health, love, trickery and deception.

They are all very singular stories with the common theme being they are based on folklore retellings so I found this easier to read in parts as the stories are so distinct in styles and topics. Rather than some short story collections which flow more closely.

This also meant that I found a real variation in how much I enjoyed some of these stories, I think in part driven by the variety of writers and styles in the collection. Particular favourites were Sour Hall by Naomi Booth, Rosheen by Irenosen Okojie, The Panther's Tale by Mahsuda Snaith and The Holloway by Imogen Hermes Gowar.

I also liked that at the end of the collection there were the original stories which had inspired these retellings. Although some of the colloquial language does require you to be vaguely familiar with how the locals speak in order to understand it. However, you certainly don't need to read them all to appreciate the retellings.

Overall an enjoyable collection that offers a much needed blend of modernity and feminist critique to some classic folktales. This short story collection is definitely a great read for a dark autumn nights.