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Georgian Folk Tales is a landmark collection of traditional narratives from Georgia, gathered and translated in the late 19th century by Marjory Scott Wardrop. Drawn from diverse regions such as Imereti, Mingrelia, and Guria, the stories range from magical adventures and moral fables to comedic parables and eerie encounters with devs (ogres), witches, and dragons. This beautifully presented 2025 edition revives Wardrop's pioneering work, with a fresh editorial treatment, a modern introduction, and evocative illustrations by Glagoslav Publications.
These tales capture a unique cultural landscape where Eastern and Western influences intermingle: Persian demons, Christian saints, shapeshifting animals, and resourceful heroines share the stage. Some stories echo archetypes found across Europe - Cinderella, Bluebeard, and trickster foxes - yet retain a distinctly Georgian flair in their texture, tone, and narrative logic.
Wardrop's work is more than translation; it is cultural preservation. She meticulously annotated her sources and preserved the stories' oral style, giving English-speaking readers rare access to the Georgian worldview and humour at a time when the region was largely unknown in the West. Her linguistic skill and anthropological insight shine through every page.
For modern readers, Georgian Folk Tales is both an introduction to a rich storytelling tradition and a fascinating artefact of Victorian-era translation. Its themes - cunning over brute strength, fate and transformation, justice and wit - remain timeless, resonating across generations and borders. A must-have for lovers of folklore, comparative mythology, and Caucasian history.
