Foxfire Wolfskin and Other Stories of Shapeshifting Women
Foxfire Wolfskin and other Stories of Shapeshifting Women is Sharon Blackie’s latest release with September Publishing and a welcome return to fiction from one of the modern masters of story-telling. This is a collection of new re-imaginings of old fairy tales gathered from Northern Europe; these are stories to inspire as they reinterpret our world and women’s connection to nature – a world where there are consequences for cruelty but also hope for re-birth through change.
Using such recognisable archetypes as Baba Yaga (Russian), the Cailleach (Scottish/Irish) and Flowerface (Blodeuwedd) from the Welsh Mabinogion, Blackie removes the rose-tinted glasses and re-ignites women’s ability to be strong and powerful in the face of impossible odds. Whispers of Fairies, Kelpies, wolves and witches bring justice to the wronged and empowerment to the vulnerable. Through transformation or shape-shifting and a rediscovery of long lost, deep connections to the wild places, women are empowered to begin to re-build the precious Earth, one stone at a time.
This book is so much more than an entertaining read, each story offering intrinsic wisdom and lessons in new types of bravery. A couple of highlights are the delicious get-even story of the bogman’s wife and Foxfire, based on old stories of the Hudra whose brilliance sets the Northern Lights ablaze – a story of renewal and becoming whole again through wildness.
A beautiful and rich collection of modern folk tales, each exquisitely crafted by the velvet gloved hand of Blackie. It is a book to be read and re-read, to be treasured and celebrated.
Book Details: Sharon Blackie. Foxfire Wolfskin and Other Stories of Shapeshifting Women. September Publishing. ISBN: 9781910463680.
Review Details: Foxfire Wolfskin and Other Stories of Shapeshifting Women was reviewed by Thea Prothero for Indie Shaman magazine and this review was published in Issue 43.
