Highways and Byways in Fairyland
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Information about Highways and Byways in Fairyland (1906), by Arthur Ransome.
Highways and Byways in Fairyland is Arthur Ransome’s 7th published book. This page contains publication, availability, background and contents information.
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First Publication
Published by The Pinafore Library, December 1906.
Availability
Out of print.
Background
We were paid ten pounds apiece for them, which seemed like a lot of money for very little work
Ransome wrote Highways and Byways in Fairyland whilst staying at Wallnook Farm, Cartmel, in 1906. In his Autobiography, Ransome relates metting Ford Maddox Hueffer by appointment outside the House of Commons. Hueffer had read some of Ransome’s fairy stories and wanted him to write “one of five little volumes” to be published together in a cardboard case. The other books were to be contributed by Netta Syrett, Anne Pye, Lady Margaret Sackville and Hueffer himself.
Ransome later felt that Highways and Byways in Fairyland was “a good idea wasted”, whilst his biographer, Hugh Brogan regarded it as arguably Ransome’s worst book.
Synopsis
Highways and Byways in Fairyland contains seven stories: The Way to Fairyland; The Mountain of the Gnomes; The Water Palace; The Farms of the Brownies; The Pixy Woods; The Dancing Ring and The Way Out.
