Lady Cottington's Fairy Album

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Summary: A Tale of Wings without Armor
Review: 'Lady Cottington's Fairy Album' is in every way the sequel to 'Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book'. I have owned the original for quite a while, and news of a sequel from Brian Froud's official site was enough for me to preorder it. I've had it for a few days now and amd glad to report that its one of those rare literary pieces that seem to get better with age.

The first book introduced us to Lady Angelica Cottington, a teenager who can see and interact with fairies. Her experiences are all chronicled in gory detail, with Angelica 'pressing' fairies between pages of her diary. The end of the first book wasn't really an ending - it left the door wide open for a sequel, and thats to be expected.

This book deals with Euphemia Cottington, the sister of Angelica Cottington, who was separated from her family soon after Angelica's birth, for reasons no one seems to know. Angelica stumbles upon her sister's old diary, and she reviews each of her sister's journal entries in her OWN diary. This entire work forms 'Lady Cottington's Fairy Album'. The book has been very neatly designed. The page on the left is Euphemia's original diary entry; the page on the right contains Angelica's thoughts on what her sister had written on the opposite page. The concept is rather amazing, considering that we're actually getting TWO Fairy albums, from two different authors, but here it is. Thus it follows, page after page of diary entries by Euphemia, immediately followed by Angelica's commentary.

The background still remains pressed fairies, if you were wondering. They pretty much look the same, but there are a few new fairy varieties which reaffirm that the artist Brian Froud hasn't lost his touch for other-world art. In particular, I was fascinated by the handwriting of the two girls. Euphemia's is very studied and almost Victorian, while Angelica's is more exuberant and curly - that a book of this sort could spell out personality differences through subtle tools such as this is a joy to behold.

It certainly pays to be very well informed about the original book before you read this. Its been constructed in such a way that a new reader would probably be confused by certain references and veiled remarks by a few of the characters. Angelica retains her usual brazenness and quick wit, yet she is as ever pitiably naive about men and the various vicars that show interest in her. The language she uses is indeed very English, in a regional sense of the word. Her frustration with the fairies that formed the hilarious part of Book 1 is carried over here, when she seems even more aggravated and irritated by them than she ever has.

Unfortunately for her, her sister Euphemia has no such qualms about cheerily mingling with the fairy folk, and the humor of this book lies in Angelica's entries where she berates her sister's seemingly unpardonable activities - most of which are actually rather innocent acts, such as dancing with the fairies on a full moon. The star of the show is still Angelica, despite the advertising surrounding this new book that hails Euphemia as the heir to the Cottington legacy. However, this book contains something that the First did not - two things to be exact - a love story, and a family secret. I couldn't possibly ruin your experience by telling you what these are, but when you reach the end of the book, theres a special treat awaiting you that makes up for any misgivings you may have had about the series.

'Lady Cottington's Fairy Album' has a few wonderful additions that make it a 'must-have' for anyone who is interested in books that will stand the test of time. First, there is a beautiful black and white photograph of a fairy (said to be a real being) holding a baby (the photograph ties strongly to the plot). Its made of quality paper with an inscription at the back and is attached inside the book. Then theres the deal that is the climax - the last page holds a sealed letter that holds the key to the entire saga of the Cottingtons. Open the letter and read it only once you've read the whole book. This is VERY important or you'll end up ruining a perfectly lovely reading experience. Once you're done you can reseal the letter in its' envelope for the next reading. Beautiful work here by the designing minds behind the project.

If you're a fan of graphic art, wonderful storytelling, and especially fairy art, its a no brainer that you should pick this up at once. It builds very deeply upon the basis set by Book 1, and in many cases it outshines the original. The thing I liked best about it was that it had so much substance. This is NOT a small or short book. On the contrary, it contains so many pages and so much art that it demanded an entire night to be thoroughly reviewed and relished. The paper used here is very different from Book 1. The paper here is matted and glossy, yet retains an old world charm about it. The cover and jacket are hard-bound, and purposely 'aged' for effect. There are also seals on it indicating it to be part of the Cottington Estate. At the end of the book, there is a seal from a book and antique dealer who has reportedly reviewed the book in its' original form and deemed it 'worthless'!! It is this attention to detail and respect for the reader that makes this book a winner!

I highly recommend this book as its one of those things you could share with almost anyone, and it makes a fine addition to your private library. It will hold up in years to come, and if you're especially interested in investing in books that will stand the test of time, this one should be your first choice! If you liked this, do check out Brian Froud and Jessica Macbeth's 'Fairy Oracle' reading set (another must-have), and the original Cottington book. These are books you can grow old with!

Rating:
Summary: this book is awesome!
Review: i love this book and recommend it to anyone! it is a great story, i read it through 2 times without putting it down once. i recommend all books by brian froud the are all so amazing!

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have!
Review: I really liked this book. I'm so glad that Brian Froud continued on with the Cottington story. When I first heard about Brian Froud back in the early 90's, it was very difficult to find Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy's in stock. I had to order it from England. The art is so original, I have just about all of Froud's books. I'm alittle disappointed though that this artist has become mainstream (i.e. Hot Topic). Froud did not disappoint his fans with Lady Cottington's Fairy Album. The storyline was interesting and still original. You have to get this book if you got the first.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have!
Review: I really liked this book. I'm so glad that Brian Froud continued on with the Cottington story. When I first heard about Brian Froud back in the early 90's, it was very difficult to find Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy's in stock. I had to order it from England. The art is so original, I have just about all of Froud's books. I'm alittle disappointed though that this artist has become mainstream (i.e. Hot Topic). Froud did not disappoint his fans with Lady Cottington's Fairy Album. The storyline was interesting and still original. You have to get this book if you got the first.

Rating:
Summary: Lady Cottington's Fairy Album
Review: I recently recieved the new Cottington Fairy Album as a birthday gift and was completely enchanted by it. In fact I spent much of the day after I finished it in a misty inspired space that was a lovely addition to my daily domestic routine! Brian Froud has done it again and this time, I dare say, the magic is even deeper. I suppose that is because the authorship is Brians alone this time, and although I much enjoyed the humor of Terry Jones participation in the first Cottington book, I was absolutely swept away into another realm by the authenticity and depth conveyed through Brians shaman-wise words. Not to mention the artwork which includes the familiar and always delightful "squashed" faery watercolors, and the never before seen faery photography which is a new and interesting way to glimpse the World of Froud. I enjoyed the evolution of the photography as seen through Effie's personal lense, and found the suprise ending to be quite moving.(dont open the letter till the end!...). Mysteries are revealed and new ones are conjured in this truly magical masterpiece ........

Rating:
Summary: Delightful, humorous, and haunting
Review: This exquisitely designed book is the latest facsimile from the notorious Cottington Archive, as pillaged by renowned artist, Brian Froud. The book is a wonderful exploration of Fairy encounters, seen through the eyes of the young women of the Cottington family. Each entry in the album takes you deeper into the strangely familiar twilight world that stands between youth and adulthood. I was particularly impressed and fascinated with the dark undercurrents of curious family history flowing just beneath the humor of the illustrations. I read the book in a single sitting and was haunted by it afterward. Froud has a particular knack for letting word and image blend together to tell their own story. For lovers of Victoriana, Fairy tales, or beautfiful, often hilarious art, this book is an absolute must.

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Summary: Lovely story with a mystery.
Review: This is a truly wonderful book.The art is stunning,and the story captures you from the beginning.I read it in one sitting,and return to it again and again,even though I know the solution of the mystery now.Don't open the envelope in the end until last.I recommend it with all my heart to everyone who like faeries,a good story,and the art of Mr.Froud.I liked both the photographs and the funny and lovely water color paintings,and the different hand-writing of the two girls.

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Summary: Great addition to the series
Review: This is the best of the Lady Cottington books. Ever wonder why the Faeries like her so? Get this and find out

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Summary: Cottingtonia without a Pythonian influence
Review: Unlike its Cottington-Archive predecessors "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book," "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Journal," and "Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells," the Fairy Album is a work entirely by Brian Froud (without Monty Python alumnus Terry Jones taking on any of the writing) that delves into the family history of Angelica Cottington, diarist of the Pressed Fairy Book and sister to the inventor whose contraptions made Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells possible.

The central narrative, told through diary entries of the mysterious Euphemia Cottington, whom Angelica has never met, is wonderful, but I feel Angelica's hastily-scrawled commentary to Euphemia's entries detracted from the story a bit, as they lacked the humourous fluster of the Pressed Fairy Book. the art is brilliant, and i rather like the phtographs and things inserted between the pages and the little envelope stuck to a page (via a squished fairy) at the end, although it took a moment of careful tugging to determine whether or not it's meant to come off so you can read the back as you can with the photograph (it's meant to stay affixed to the page, btw).

If you're the sort who likes to get every book in a series or just a fan of Froud's non-comedic fantasy art, I highly reccomend this book. If you're looking for some Terry-Jonesian comedy to go with your fantasy, however, you might prefer "The Goblin Companion"