The Runes of Elfland by Ari Berk

The Runes of Elfland Reviews

• 
  Jessica

  Who wants to learn the runic alphabet!? Oh, and look at amazing Brian Froud artwork and learn some genuine kick-tail folklore?
  
  You too?
• 
  Hannah Kelly

  This book was captivating for me. This book came into my possession in a period of transition when I was in the midst of moving after having travelled half-way around the world. I was sitting in the strange house that would become our new home, surrounded by boxes and paraphernalia with movers milling through the house. In such a highly stimulated environment I needed a retreat and this book was it. I spent much of that morning curled up on the bare mattress of my sister's bed devouring and being absorbed by this book. Its funny how some of the simplest things in life are some of the most beautiful and profound. Something as simple as going to the library and picking up this book really nourished my turbulent spirit. This book will always have fond memories for me. I would love to be able to give this to someone else so they can experience it too.
• 
  Larissa

  There are many doors and pathways to Faerie, even a window will do if you can open it wide enough to fit through. However this guide takes you by the hand and leads you willingly to a place where faeries exist, a place where they play, dance and dream. Anywhere you find nature, the wind, the sky, a puddle of water, you will find a story and a gateway into Faerie.
  
  The Runes Of Elfland are a set of twenty-four runes known collectively as the Elder Futhark. Each individual rune represents more then just its sound or letter, there is a meaning behind each symbol and a story behind each meaning. Between the pages of this book are charms, stories, gifts and symbols that will amuse, delight and enlighten all those who venture along pathways and through doors opened within these pages. A beautiful book for lovers of faeries, art, fairytales and magic.
• 
  Elliot Schott

  A brilliant interpretation of the Norse Rune alphabet, with each individual rune revealing a hidden charm and portal to a specific aspect of what artist Brian Froud and writer Ari Berk call "Elfland." Froud's intensely varied senses of the mystical are displayed well here, and are given excellent and moving interpretations by Ari Berk, a well-spoken and masterful storyteller in this day and age.
• 
  Amy

  I guess I would buy anything that involved Froud and fairies. I was a little disconcerted by the intro from Professor Ari Berk, however (it's almost like he believes this stuff!). But his vignettes of each rune were really cool. I think I prefer Froud's earth-tone sketches of fairies and goblins more than some of his 80's paintings in this book, but overall, I enjoyed them.
• 
  Brooke Gilley

  My favorite artist, Brian Froud does the artwork, need I say more.
• 
  Vicky

  I want to buy this book and keep it. The illustrations are unique and the text is magical. There is wisdom and mystery in each story.
• 
  Jupiter

  As beautiful and enchanting as you'd expect from an artist who designed much of the cult film Labyrinth.
• 
  Carrie Viscome-Skinner

  I love working with Runes and this book brought their meaning more alive with Brian's lovely artwork.
• 
  The Elves

  how could we not love this book?
  dear lovers of Elfland,
  
  ... We've been reading tarot cards since we were eight years old and love everything having to do with Divination: cards, runes, pendulums, the whole works. And Brian Froud ... how can one not love his faery art? And Elfland, we love everything about elves and faeries that isn't totally corny. So how could we not love a book involving all three of our favorite things? If you love Froud's art, you'll love this book. If you are fascinated by the Norse Runes, here's another interesting interpretation. And if you love all things Elfin, as we do, then here is fine addition to modern Elven Culture. How can you go wrong?
  
  kyela,
  the silver elves
  authors of
  The Book of Elven Runes: A Passage Into Faerie
• 
  Melanti

  This is a wonderful presentation of the runes. Each rune is given one full page illustration, two to three smaller illustrations, a one to two page fairy tale about the rune, and a half page or so of explanation of the rune's interpretation.
  
  My only real complaint is that some of the interpretations don't entirely match with my favored Futhark handbook. But, there is room for debate when it comes to the meaning, so it's a question of artistic license, not accuracy.
  
  I wish I'd found this a few years ago when I was interested in this sort of thing. Now, I'm liking it mainly for the short fairy tales and lovely artwork - which is great, but I feel like I'm skipping the main point of the book.
  
• 
  Elliot Schott

  A brilliant interpretation of the Norse Rune alphabet, with each individual rune revealing a hidden charm and portal to a specific aspect of what artist Brian Froud and writer Ari Berk call "Elfland." Froud's intensely varied senses of the mystical are displayed well here, and are given excellent and moving interpretations by Ari Berk, a well-spoken and masterful storyteller in this day and age.
• 
  Elliot Schott

  A brilliant interpretation of the Norse Rune alphabet, with each individual rune revealing a hidden charm and portal to a specific aspect of what artist Brian Froud and writer Ari Berk call "Elfland." Froud's intensely varied senses of the mystical are displayed well here, and are given excellent and moving interpretations by Ari Berk, a well-spoken and masterful storyteller in this day and age.
• 
  Nomad

  Froud's artwork is always second to none, but it's usually accompanied with more text than the paintings in this book. Or maybe it's because the whole thing is set up like a tarot card like thing and tarot is not something I take seriously at all.
  
  So buy it for the art, don't buy it for the text, because the text isn't that great, but the paintings are.
• 
  T.L. Wood

  This is a Rune book with information about each symbol told in a little detailed Faery stories and poetry told by Ari Berk with beautiful illustrations from Brian Froud. It made for some really enjoyable reading.
• 
  Bladestryke

  I picked this up because I knew of the artist and figured it was a fairy tale something like labyrinth. Boy was I surprised and delighted when this book was an explanation on the meaning of the Norse runes and to,d in such a wonderful way! A must have for anyone interested in runes!
• 
  Maggie Secara

  This is one of the most magical books ever. My full, glowing review is posted on amazon.com (US and UK), Barnes & Noble, and a couple of other online booksellers.
• 
  Georgesear

  Liked the art in it.
• 
  Kecia

  Magical.
  
• 
  K.S. Thompson

  After owning this book for years, this is the first time I sat down and read it cover to cover. Beautiful imagery, combined with insightful storytelling and messages from Elfland. What an enjoyable experience!
• 
  Henry Wilhelm

  This was the last Christmas present my father ever gave to me. He was a horrible person but I spent hours with the beautiful illustrations and the lovely teasing hints and stories within. The art in particular is otherworldly.
• 
  Jai M {Cat Crazy Dragon }

  Amazing imagery, both colour and B&W.
  Small bits of mythology and history.
  
  But for me, it's all about the art. Unexpected, imaginative, beautiful, and inspiring.
  
  I own this! 😎
• 
  Mir

  Maybe my expectations were too high due to Froud being a favorite illustrator and his
  Faeries being a favorite book, but this was a bit disappointing. It was *nice* but didn't feel special to me. The text didn't have enough actual mythology and the stories felt like they were trying to hard to be literary while having a vague oral-telling quality.
• 
  Robert

  A book of tales and pictures, I found the book slightly amusing but plagued by an apparent belief in the 'realness' of fairies. I appreciate fairies as folklore, not reality and certainly not as a source of 'magic.'
• 
  Lilia

  I Don't think! I Just want this really bad! *massive drool*
• 
  Monica Impson

  Good coffee table reading...