Rebel Folklore

Meet 50 fascinating folktale characters and discover how these flawed heroes and relatable villains of ancient stories remain relevant today

Rebel Folklore gathers 50 fascinating folktale characters from around the world, showing readers why we should care about the rebels and misfits of ancient stories.

Folktales were humble stories, passed down generations by those on the fringes of society- women, peasants, outcast groups. Across the world, these ancient stories are filled with strange characters, complicated figures who hold up a mirror to the world that dreamt them up. From outspoken women cast as witches to anti-authority figures denounced as criminals, flawed heroes to relatable villains, Rebel Folklore celebrates 50 of these misfits and what they mean for us today.

Whether it's Muma Padurii, the Romanian forest witch who terrorizes trespassers to protect the environment, or Robin Hood, everyone's favourite lawless activist, we can learn a lot from the rebels of days gone by- how to speak out, embrace our flaws, and be unashamedly ourselves - even if that means being a cannibalistic swamp witch.

About the Author

Icy Sedgwick is the host of the Fabulous Folklore podcast, investigating the strange and often bizarre world of European folklore. In case she tires of all that folklore research, former ghost hunter Icy also writes Gothic horror fiction while studying for a PhD. Melissa Kitty Jarram is a southeast-London-based artist working across digital and traditional mediums for clients such as Bethany Williams London, WePresent, Adidas and Nike. Breaking 'the male gaze' is important to Jarram as she continues to explore and interpret the female form.