From the dangerous beings of ancient myths and medieval folklore, to the sanitized wingy thingies of Shakespeare and the Victorians, and even modern myths of alien abduction, this book presents a history of fairies. It tells that they have a darker and menacing history - as troublemakers, child-snatchers, seducers and changelings.

Both illuminating and enormous fun. Spectator

Diane Purkiss graduated from the University of Queensland before taking her D.Phil at Merton College, Oxford. She worked as professor of English at Exeter Universiry before becoming senior tutor in English at Keble College, Oxford. She specialises in the supernatural, women's writing and folklore, and has written several books on women's history and witchcraft, notably 'The Witch in History'. She lives in Oxford.