MADreads

Are there any good fairies of Madison?

April 30th, 2009 Kylee

I’m not sure when or where I first heard of Martin Millar, but for some reason, his name has been on my radar for a while.  Millar’s best known book is probably The Good Fairies of New York, which was a success in England when it was published in the early 1990s, but it didn’t make its way to us overseas until just a few years ago.  He’s one of those authors that other authors love (see the glowing introduction by fantasy master Neil Gaiman in the newest edition of The Good Fairies of New York), but his books are just beginning to catch on beyond an underground cult following.

I’ve never been to New York City (though I plan to go someday), but after reading this book, I almost feel like I have.  If there are invisible fairies all over the place getting involved in everything from beer-stealing to race riots, that is.  In Millar’s New York, Heather and Morag, two Scottish thistle fairies, have found a hiding place from the law, which is after them because of an incident involving a precious fairy artifact and their noses.  Though they’re in hiding, they don’t keep themselves well hidden; their brightly colored hair and artfully tattered kilts easily reveal their rebellious punk sensibilities.  In order to find shelter, and to make the most of their time in the city, they start up friendships with two humans who can actually see them (not all humans can see fairies - only those with a special sensitivity).  Heather and Morag’s love/hate relationship leads them into some extreme difficulties with their humans, who they attempt to persuade to fall in love in a roundabout sort of way.

If you’re looking for a light, clever book to kick off your summer reading, I’d highly recommend this one.  Heather and Morag’s antics made me laugh out loud, and their interference in their humans’ lives created some hilarious situations.  Even if you’re not a big fan of fantasy, this one might be a good introduction to the genre, since it blends the fairy world and the human world seamlessly.

Entry Filed under: Fantasy