Overview

Across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Germany, stories move along fjords and forest tracks, over sea lanes and winter roads, from fishing huts and farm kitchens to town squares and narrow alleys. In these pages you will find sly farmers and proud jarls, kings and wanderers, saints and scoundrels, talking beasts and troublesome spirits, bargains made at twilight, and small acts of grit that turn the whole day on its hinge. Some tales sparkle, some sting, and some sit quietly for a moment before they change what you thought you knew. This collection gathers folktales, fairy tales and legends shaped by the North's stark beauty and hard seasons, the pine-dark stretches, the wind off the water, the long night, and the bright, brief summers. Here are old tricks and old truths, retold with a clear voice and a feel for place, where wit matters, courage counts, and the world is never quite as ordinary as it looks. Read them aloud, read them late, and let them do what they have always done best, which is to keep wonder close, and to make the darkness less daunting.

Full Product Details

9781915081766

Table of Contents

Reviews

I have edited Clive Gilson's books for over a decade now - he's prolific and can turn his hand to many genres. poetry, short fiction, contemporary novels, folklore, and science fiction - and the common theme is that none of them ever fails to take my breath away. There's something in each story that is either memorably poignant, hauntingly unnerving, or sidesplittingly funny - Lorna Howarth, The Write Factor Ragged A Ruffian reviewed on Amazon in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2021 - A truly heartwarming, interesting, story with a wonderful narrative. Unquestionably a splendid read A Solitude of Stars: With deft turns of phrase and an imagination that would make Philip K. Dick jealous, Gilson foresees a dystopian future, the seeds of which are definitely being sown right now. The story is a chilling glimpse of what may come to pass, warmed by a thread of love that raises the narrative beyond despair. I found the stories disturbing and breath-taking in equal measure. The Apparat and Dirigiste tribes are ranging across our solar system seeking peace by waging war, raising the question; is humanity actually capable of peace? A riveting read. - Rob Swan, The Write Factor Songs of Bliss gripped me from the start - I had to read right to the end. Loved the humour. Impressed by the surprising empathy that I felt for rather - on the face of it - unlikeable characters. Look forward to seeing it in print. - Maighdean-Mhara, commenting on Authonomy I just wanted to thank you once more for your help acquiring this beautiful collection. It's found a new home at the top of my library. I've already stumbled onto some wonderful stories in a couple of the collections, and I can't wait to get more. Have a wonderful holiday and a great new year... - Richer Daniel Laporte, California, December 2021

Author Information

Clive Gilson was born in 1962 into a household steeped in sport and rhythm. His father was a senior amateur and lower-league professional footballer, while his mother, equally formidable, was an award-winning ballroom dancer. Their spirited household didn't just hum with ambition, it danced to it.After earning a degree in History from Leeds University, Clive took an unexpected turn into the then-nascent world of information technology in the late 1980s. Yet, the call of story and stage never left him. Alongside a thriving tech career, he freelanced as a journalist and book reviewer, earning one small by-line in the national press, and also spent over a decade performing in village halls and professional theatres across the south of England.A true inheritor of his family's sporting zeal, Clive later pivoted into live sports broadcasting. In the 1990s, he became a trusted rugby 'stato' for the BBC, ITV, EuroSport, and TVNZ, bringing insight and analysis to major tournaments including the Heineken Cup, Six Nations, World Sevens, and Rugby World Cups.As a writer, Clive has made his mark across genres. His debut novel, Songs of Bliss, was published in 2017, followed by A Solitude of Stars in 2019. Since then, he has released three acclaimed short story collections, The Mechanic's Curse, The Insomniac Booth, and, in 2025, Melodies in Black Ink.He is also an award-winning poet and the author of a biography detailing the life of a former professional footballer, namely his father. Since 2018, Clive has served as Managing Editor of the Firesides Tales Project, a global storytelling initiative that has published over 30 collections of folktales, fairy tales, myths, and legends from around the world.Today, Clive continues to write fiction rich in folklore, memory, and quiet transformation, combining his deep love of narrative with a lifelong fascination with the human spirit.For more about his work, visit clivegilson.com, where stories are always waiting to be found.

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