Tales of the Wild and the Wonderful [1867]

Name: Tales of the Wild and the Wonderful [1867]
Author: Mary Diana Dods

By Mary Diana Dods

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Mythology, Legends & Folklore Short Stories

About This Book

A short-story collection blending retellings and originals that range from coastal-village superstition and prophetic episodes to courtly fairy romance and Norse-inflected nightmare. The pieces pair domestic and maritime settings with enchanted objects, supernatural bargains, and uncanny forces of nature, including maelstroms and spectral visitations. Some tales adapt continental folklore while others assemble fairy-tale fragments into grotesque or whimsical fables; tone shifts from melancholic gothic to playful diablerie, and narrative forms vary between suspenseful parable and moral anecdote.

About the Author

Mary Diana Dods

Mary Diana Dods was a 19th-century author known for her contributions to children's literature and the gothic genre. She is best recognized for her work "Tales of the Wild and the Wonderful," published in 1825 and later in 1867, which showcases her imaginative storytelling and ability to weave moral lessons into engaging narratives. Dods's writing often reflects the themes of nature and adventure, appealing to the curiosity of young readers. Her literary contributions are part of the rich tapestry of early Victorian literature, where she carved a niche for herself in a predominantly male literary landscape.