Comte de Caylus (1692–1765)

Today we generally think of "fairy-tales" as being children's fare - simple but magical stories that reveal some ethical or moral truth. But the word itself comes to us from the French term conte de fées, which was originally given to a genre of literary wonder tales written for adults. Although the literary fairy-tale originated in Italy, with figures such as Giambattista Basile, it was first popularized by the French literary salons of the 17th century. Although Charles Perrault is the most famous name associated with this period, the vast majority of these fairy tales were written by noblewomen - writers such as Madame d’Aulnoy and Madame Leprince de Beaumont.

Despite my reading in this area, I had never heard of the Comte de Caylus, an 18th-century French nobleman and scholar who apparently stands at the tail-end of this phenomenon. According to the biographical blurb at the rear of Heart of Ice, de Caylus wrote many original fairy-tales, although this one tale is the only English translation I have yet found of his work. However that may be, I am happy to have stumbled across it.

The story of Manikin, a pint-sized prince raised by the fairy Genesta, who faces many challenges and overcomes extraordinary odds in his quest to win the heart of the fair Princess Sabella, this tale has some narrative elements that will be very familiar to readers of the genre. The vengeful fairy who curses Manikin will recall the better-known tale of Sleeping Beauty, and the competition to win the princess harks back to many different tales. Far too long for story-hour with young children, Heart of Ice will appeal to older readers with a taste for fairy-tales. The kingdom of the spaniels was particularly charming. I only wish that more of de Caylus' stories were available.… (mer)