C. S. Evans

This most romantic of fairy tales is found in many versions, and the story of the beautiful girl who falls into a long sleep, to be awakened by a lover, has been interpreted by some as an allegory of the spring revival of the earth after a long winter. Charles Seddon Evans, a schoolmaster turned publisher, retold the story specially for Arthur Rackham, who illustrated it with silhouette drawing as a companion volume to CINDERELLA, both first published in 1919 and now reissued in Everyman's Library.

The Sleeping Beauty

The tale of The Sleeping Beauty is here retold by C. S. Evans, and illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Charles Seddon Evans (1883 – 1944) was an immensely well respected writer, editor and folklorist, who brings this magical story to life. He wrote this version of The Sleeping Beauty as a companion volume to Cinderella, also illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Evans expanded Charles Perrault’s original story of Cendrillon ou, La Petite Pantoufle de verre, and followed the later version recorded by the Brothers Grimm in giving his heroine the name of Briar-Rose. His version of Sleeping Beauty is similarly thought-through. It is a tale sure to delight both young and old – unique in its truly captivating narrative. This story of The Sleeping Beauty is further told with Rackham's wonderfully intricate black-and-white and colour silhouette illustrations. Arthur Rackham (1867-1939)is one of the most celebrated painters of the British Golden Age of Illustration (which encompassed the years from 1850 until the start of the First World War). Rackham's artistry is quite simply, unparalleled. Throughout his career, he developed a unique style, combining haunting humour with dream-like romance. Presented alongside the text, his illustrations further refine and elucidate Evan’s enchanting storytelling. Pook Press celebrates the great ‘Golden Age of Illustration‘ in children’s literature – a period of unparalleled excellence in book illustration from the 1880s to the 1930s. Our collection showcases classic fairy tales, children’s stories, and the work of some of the most celebrated artists, illustrators and authors.

The Sleeping Beauty - Illustrated by Arthur Rackham

Sleeping Beauty (La Belle au Bois dormant (The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood)) is a fairy tale classic, the first in the set published in 1697 by Charles Perrault. There is also a later German version collected by the Brothers Grimm named Dornröschen which is as popular.

Sleeping Beauty

A mistreated kitchen maid, with the help of her fairy godmother, attends the palace ball on the condition that she leave before midnight.

Cinderella

The classical version of the most famous and beloved of all fairy tales is the one C.S. Evans adapted and then expanded in order to give his brilliant illustrator, Arthur Rackham, maximum opportunity to exercise his gifts. The product of their collaboration is one of the most wonderful editions we have of this, or any other, fairy tale.

C. S. Evans

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