The Will-o’-the-wisp

Fiction & Literature, Classics
Cover of the book The Will-o’-the-wisp by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, Classica Libris
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy ISBN: 9788832552225
Publisher: Classica Libris Publication: March 25, 2019
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
ISBN: 9788832552225
Publisher: Classica Libris
Publication: March 25, 2019
Imprint:
Language: English

The Will-o’-the-wisp was first published in 1947 during the last year of the author’s life. It is one of Orczy’s lesser known works and it has received very little attention from either critics or readers. The great success of the Scarlet Pimpernel series had provided the novelist with significant wealth, but she still enjoyed writing and chose to continue to produce books until close to her death. The title of her last novel arises from the phenomenon of atmospheric light of seeming unknown origins suddenly appearing. It is an occurrence which has an interesting history in folklore and is also known under a variety of other names, including Jack-’O-Lantern, Friar’s Lantern, Aleya, Boi-tata and ignis fatuus (foolish fire).
The phenomenon has been interpreted by some folklore tales as a spirit or presence that arises over marshes and bogs in order to guide travellers away from the safe path and lead them into danger. British folktales variously describe it as a goblin, a pixie, a lost soul, or even a ghost; all of whom have nefarious intentions. In some Northern and Eastern European folklore traditions, it is a light that indicates the location of buried treasure. In literature, a will-o’-the-wisp occurs or is referenced either in relation to something sinister and unexplained, or it is employed to mean a sense of false hope; something that entices a fall in character and leads them to their misery or destruction.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The Will-o’-the-wisp was first published in 1947 during the last year of the author’s life. It is one of Orczy’s lesser known works and it has received very little attention from either critics or readers. The great success of the Scarlet Pimpernel series had provided the novelist with significant wealth, but she still enjoyed writing and chose to continue to produce books until close to her death. The title of her last novel arises from the phenomenon of atmospheric light of seeming unknown origins suddenly appearing. It is an occurrence which has an interesting history in folklore and is also known under a variety of other names, including Jack-’O-Lantern, Friar’s Lantern, Aleya, Boi-tata and ignis fatuus (foolish fire).
The phenomenon has been interpreted by some folklore tales as a spirit or presence that arises over marshes and bogs in order to guide travellers away from the safe path and lead them into danger. British folktales variously describe it as a goblin, a pixie, a lost soul, or even a ghost; all of whom have nefarious intentions. In some Northern and Eastern European folklore traditions, it is a light that indicates the location of buried treasure. In literature, a will-o’-the-wisp occurs or is referenced either in relation to something sinister and unexplained, or it is employed to mean a sense of false hope; something that entices a fall in character and leads them to their misery or destruction.

More books from Classica Libris

Cover of the book L’amour relève le gant by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Non-lieu by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Le repaire des fauves by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book The Scarlet Pimpernel Looks at the World by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book The Velvet Hand by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Le meneur de loups by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Clementina by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Mariage doré by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Dans les ruines by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Aurore de Brüsfeld by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Armand by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book The Splendid Folly by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book L’étoile du roi Boris by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Les heures de la vie by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Cover of the book Mary Wakefield by Baroness Emmuska Orczy
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy