Faerie Tale

By: Raymond E. Feist

Narrated by: Tim Flavin

“A contemporary novel of masterful horror replete with magic, fantasy, and more than a little stylish sensuality.” (The Washington Post)

Phil Hastings was a lucky man - he had money, a growing reputation as a screenwriter, a happy, loving family with three kids, and he'd just moved into the house of his dreams in rural of magic - and about to be altered irrevocably by a magic more real than any he dared imagine. For with the Magic came the Bad Thing, and the Faerie, and then the Fool...and the resurrection of a primordial war with a forgotten People - a war that not only the Hastings but the whole human race could lose.

“Absorbing, thought-provoking, and thoroughly magical. Feist's skillfully crafted prose illuminates many of the darker sides of fairy stories.... Try it as a bedtime story...but only on nights when you can take some time getting to sleep.” (The West Coast Review of Books)

©2008 Raymond Feist (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A contemporary novel of masterful horror replete with magic, fantasy, and more than a little stylish eroticism." (The Washington Post)

I wanted to like it again

I read this book when it first came out and really liked it, so I anticipated enjoying it again. instead, I could barely stand listening to it and only persevered through 4 chapters. The narration was adequate. Although the male narrator's female voices seem affected and give them an air of insincerity, this is sadly not uncommon and I can usually make allowances for it. in this case however it just added to my overall dissatisfaction with the tone of the book. Maybe it was an 80's-90's fantasy fiction trend, but the characters are too pat, too perfect, and their interactions and interior musings are predictable and what is meant to come across as wry often self-deprecating humor began to grate. The story itself is fine, maybe I have just read too many deeper, darker, better depictions of 'dark faerie' since college days.

Awesome story

I was a big fan of this book when it came out many many years ago and the audible version was just as much fun. The narrator has excellent voice separation and created a very fulfilling experience.

I have this book in 3 versions

I loved this in1989,paperback. Then 1995 and I found this book, Hardback of course

Great story

I love this author and first read this back in 88 and it holds up so well the narrator was great brought the characters to life so do yourself a favor and listen to this story

Love this book

Mister Feist does a remarkable job with his storytelling. He's clearly done a good bit of research on Irish, Scottish, and German folklore.

and his touching on the subject of the Magi in the eighties before it was cool, is a nice touch.

his words are building blocks that helped create detailed concrete images in one's mind.

I love this book, and always have. from the first time I actually read it.

I had high hopes for the audio version, and while the main story is as great as ever, I feel like the performance of the narrator left a bit to be desired.

his portrayal of Mark Blackman is perfect. as well as his portrayal of Barney Doyle, Wayland Smith, and Ariel.

his portrayal of Jack, is not a take I would have personally thought of, but I appreciate it.

I thought his portrayal of the twins was just okay, and the way he read Gabby and Gloria were awful. at times it felt very much like he was reading for a cheesy sitcom.

overall though, I'm happy to have this in my library of audiobooks. if you appreciate this story, or if you like contemporary fantasy, this book is a must-have.

YESSSS!! excellent story!

Excellent story, engaging from beginning to end, very scary at times, sticks to legit Irish folklore, sometimes true accounts are indeed terrifying, involving not "tinkerbell" but a malevolent Fae. This is one I'd just hsve to say get it, you won't be dissapointed, the ending was awesome, honestly could be true, if you beleive in the Fae and their realm like I do... The ending very well may be an excellent real life parallel...

After a slow start...

I loved reading the Magicians Apprentice series by. Raymond First so I was expecting to enjoy this stand alone story. I was not disappointed! The first part introduced the characters and seemed pretty mundane. Gradually, very gradually, there were hints that things weren't as innocent as they seemed to be.
The last third had me listening way past my bedtime.
I definitely recommend this book!

Rich with lore

I read this the first time in High School, and read it again when I got out of the Army in the 90s... Now I've revisited it as an audiobook some 30 years later. Still as good as I remembered. Next to various Tolkien books, this novel has stuck with me the most over the years and recommend it to everyone interested in mythology. I highly recommend this still. I'm guessing, but I wouldn't be surprised if Brandon Mull was influenced by this work for his Fablehaven series. This piece is definitely for adults however.

The performance was excellent for the audiobook.

Modern Fantasy

This is by far one of my favorite stories that I can dive I to numerous times. Such a modern blend of fantasy and contemporary themes throughout. I own two signed copies of this novel. Wish he would have written more in the genre.

Review of Faerie Tale

I first read this book in 1990 and I’ve never forgotten it throughout the years from time to time I find myself thinking of it or thinking of a paragraph I got the term “widdershins” from the book and still use that term today.
Just an outstanding effort by Feist. I think it would make an outstanding motion picture!