Tales of the Enchanted Islands of the Atlantic

Name: Tales of the Enchanted Islands of the Atlantic
Author: Thomas Wentworth Higginson

By Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Mythology, Legends & Folklore

About This Book

A collection retelling maritime legends and island myths of the Atlantic, drawing on Celtic, Norse, and medieval romance. It recounts heroic and supernatural episodes—giant kings and speaking heads, swan-children and enchanters, voyages to otherworldly isles, quests for lost cities and fountains of youth, and encounters with saints, Vikings, and monstrous shores. The pieces emphasize the sea as a liminal space and islands as places of refuge, trial, and transformation, and combine narrative retellings with explanatory notes and a framing preface. Varied in tone from tragic to whimsical, the selections preserve traditional motifs of exile, enchantment, and quest while mapping a mythic Atlantic geography.

About the Author

Thomas Wentworth Higginson

Thomas Wentworth Higginson was an American author, abolitionist, and soldier, known for his contributions to literature and social reform in the 19th century. He played a significant role in the Civil War, serving as a colonel in the first African American regiment, which inspired his book "Army Life in a Black Regiment." Higginson was also a prominent advocate for women's rights and wrote extensively on the subject in works like "Common Sense About Women." His literary output includes essays, historical narratives, and fiction, reflecting his diverse interests and commitment to social justice.