New Books in History Matthias Egeler, "Elves and Fairies: A Short History of the Otherworld" (Yale UP, 2025)
Oct 11, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Matthias Egeler, a Professor of Old Norse at Frankfurt University, dives into the enchanting world of elves and fairies. He explores the rich folklore from medieval Iceland to 20th-century reimaginings. Egeler reveals how these mythical beings transitioned from dangerous sprites to cute characters in children's literature. He discusses the coexistence of fairies in literature and witch trials, and the impact of industrialization on these figures. Lastly, he highlights modern Iceland's vibrant elf culture and its intertwining with tourism.
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Scholarship That Still Delights
- Matthias Egeler wrote the book to combine scholarly rigor with enjoyable storytelling during COVID lockdowns.
- He aimed to present medieval and folk material as delightful but academically robust.
Iceland's Rich Sources Reveal Patterns
- Iceland provides abundant medieval and folk sources that reveal recurring patterns in elf stories.
- Dense data lets researchers identify consistent landscape motifs tied to elf sites.
Elves As Local Neighbors
- Icelandic elves link tightly to specific landscape features near farms rather than an abstract otherworld.
- Over centuries the beings remain place-bound but shift in worldview, e.g., becoming Christian in later tales.
