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Are There Fairies in Our Midst?
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TL;DR
- The 2020s are seeing a trend of 'reenchantment' and renewed interest in religious belief, contrasting with the 'New Atheism' of the early 2000s.
- Francis Young's book, "Fairies: A History," is a magisterial and deeply researched exploration of beliefs and encounters related to fairies.
- Young defines fairies broadly as supernatural, human-like non-human beings and approaches the topic with curiosity rather than skepticism.
- The book chronicles fairy lore chronologically from antiquity through modernity, including accounts from various cultures and historical periods.
- Figures like G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien saw fairy belief as a barometer of traditional culture's health and as a means to reveal something of the Creator.
- Contemporary fantasy novels, such as Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" and H.G. Parry's "A Far Better Thing," feature fairies and magic, continuing a literary tradition.
- Despite the resurgence of interest in the supernatural, modern adults often remain skeptical of fairies, unlike religious beliefs.
- Young's work challenges Enlightenment-era ontological thinking and encourages a more open consideration of the possibility of fairies, citing historical prevalence as a reason for respect.
- The author critiques the pluralism that equates all beliefs, suggesting that belief in fairies may not carry the same profound, life-altering implications as religious faith.
- Ultimately, the article suggests that an enchanted world is more interesting and beautiful than a non-enchanted one, aligning with the broader 'New Enchantment' trend.