#beatrix persephone | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lafemmemacabre · 3 months

Text

My personal top albums of all time

If anyone who respects my music opinions is interested, IN NO ORDER because I can't choose between my babies. Also, warning, it's mostly gonna be albums from the 90s. Only the albums that are described as Gothic Rock, Darkwave (Neoclassical or not), Deathrock and Ethereal Wave are goth, the rest are some other flavor of dark alternative.

Aégis, by Theatre of Tragedy (1998)

Exquisite Gothic Rock, despite the band usually playing Metal, with themes of mostly Greco-Roman mythology with some other European folklore thrown in. The most angelic and soft soprano vocals delivered by Liv Kristine with baritone whispers delivered by Raymond. Ethereal yet complex atmospheres with soft guitars, strong bass, poetic lyrics in Shakespearean English.

Highlights: Cassandra, Venus, Poppæa, Bacchante.

Inferno, by Lacrimosa (1995)

Gothic Rock that flirts slightly with Metal in some tracks. This is when they made the jump from Neue Deutsche Todeskunst (basically late 80s/early 90s German Darkwave except it's a little weirder than most other Darkwave at the time) to more Rock-based styles of music, as well as the first album Anne Nurmi was featured in. Tilo's best studio vocal performance in my opinion. Beautiful lyrics about love, passion, devotion, and the end of the world, could only be written by a goth guy with a gift for poetry who just fell in deep love. Only iffy track is Copycat but even that one is still a classic among fans if only because of its high energy, and killer guitars, bass and percussion.

Highlights: Schakal, Vermächtnis der Sonne, No blind eyes can see, Kabinett der Sinne.

Passion's Price, by Diva Destruction (1999)

Diva Destruction's debut, from back when Darkwave was actually dark and dreary in sound. Songs about heartbreak, betrayal, abuse and love, in the band's most musically complex and hauntingly atmospheric album. A definite classic with nothing but great track after great track.

Highlights: The Broken Ones, Snake, Prey, Glare.

Selected Scenes from the End of the World, by London After Midnight (1992)

Some of the best Gothic Rock to have ever come out, in my opinion. Deep, rich, dark, mysterious, sensual, macabre, romantic (arguably too romantic even by 90s goth standards as the album apparently got criticized for being almost entirely love songs? Wtf). The song that introduced me to goth in February of 2007 is in this album and it's the reason why I never looked back.

Highlights: The Black Cat, Claire's Horrors, Sacrifice, Spider and the Fly.

Annwyn, beneath the Waves, by Faith and the Muse (1996)

Ethereal Wave royalty in maybe not their most iconic album, but definitely the one closest to my heart by them. Despite goth music being associated with darkness in the minds of most, this album is full of glittering light in the most poetic and heartfelt way possible. The vocals are soft and tender when they need to be, delivered by Monica Richards, or firm and epic when needed, as delivered by William Faith. The lyrical themes are full of Celtic folklore, love, hope, magic and a feeling of reclamation of nature and an ancestral past (but not in like, a white supremacist way, I promise).

Highlights: Annwyn, beneath the Waves, The Hand of Man, The Silver Circle, Rise and Forget.

Treasure, by Cocteau Twins (1984)

Walking a thin line between Ethereal Wave and Dreampop (as they're pioneers in both genres). Some tracks are darker than others, but they're all equally delightful, full of beauty and a dreamy gaze hovers over every single song, all of which contain some of the most heavenly vocals in the scene. One of Robert Smith's favorite albums (he also really liked Diva Destruction's debut!). If you're into more relaxing and atmospheric music, this might be your intro to goth.

Highlights: Beatrix, Persephone, Pandora (for Cindy), Lorelei.

Anthology, by Nosferatu (2006)

Legendary Gothic Rock band among those of us who enjoy a campier vampiric goth sound that takes itself too seriously, and deliciously so. Yes, I know I'm cheating by going with a compilation album, sue me. It's simply a collection of their best tracks and I honestly couldn't choose between all their actual albums, so there!

Highlights: Inside the Devil, Lucy is Red, Rise, Witching Hour.

Es reiten die Toten so schnell (or: The Vampyre Sucking at his Own Vein), by Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows (2003)

Probably the gothiest and most elite Neoclassical Darkwave out there. Deeply macabre, equally horrific and beautifully crafted, with expressive and dramatic vocals, themes of vampirism and death masking more human subjects such as social rejection (Anna Varney-Cantondea is a trans woman/transfeminine person who's battled suicidality and depression from a very young age), depression, gay/trans desire, and suicidality. It truly is a masterpiece of macabre and neoclassical goth.

Highlights: The Feast of Blood, Holy Water Moonlight, Baptisma, Dead Souls.

Blood Death Ivory, by Angelspit (2008)

Probably one of the few modern Industrial bands who have thoroughly kept the spirit of early Industrial alive, fashioned after greats such as Skinny Puppy and Die Form, especially in the 00s when the Industrial scene heavily turned to more superficial lyrics based on the aesthetics of cyberpunk art rather than its subversive content. The music is aggressive, simultaneously animalistic yet robotic with a touch of demonic, rarely ever without smartly phrased critiques of capitalism and consummerism. At this point in time the band was a duo between Amelia Arsenic/Destroyx and Zoog Von Rock. It's definitely some edgelord shit (affectionate), but by no means in a vapid, only-for-shock-value way.

Highlights: Skinny Little Bitch, Lust Worthy, Devilicious, Jugular.

Alles für dich, by Grausame Töchter (2012)

Some of the most dynamic, deliciously quirky, sexual, hyper and twisted Dark Electro bands currently making music. The lead vocalist and lyricist of the band, Aranea Peel, is a lesbian dominatrix, fetish model, trained ballet dancer, and lover of Weimar republic era artistry who absolutely imprints lots of dark flapper energy into the band's music and imagery. The lyrics are unabashedly perverted, kinky, sapphic and fucked up. Her singing is nothing short of chef's kiss worthy, always expressive and strange, but with pristine execution and technique.

Highlights: Tanz für dich, TABU, Therapie für dich, ICH DARF DAS!

The Astonishing Eyes of Evening, by Cinema Strange (2002)

KINGS of 00s Deathrock with touches of Dark Cabaret influences, as inescapable in the goth scene in the 00s as She Past Away and its many copycats are now, and for very good reason. Delightfully macabre, not the first to use ghostly androgynous vocals but certainly one of the bands who better utilize that style of vocals. Imo, this and their homonymous album are must-listens for people interested in the goth music scene in general, but especially those interested in Deathrock. Truly Halloween turned into an album.

Highlights: Tomb Lilies, Catacomb Kittens, 'Ere the Flowers Unfold, Legs and Tarpaulin.

Opheliac, by Emilie Autumn (2006)

Literally music for mentally unstable sapphic girls with a poet's soul and flare for both irony and intense earnest feeling. It's a very original combination of Synthpop, Punk Cabaret, and Neoclassical music, with influences of Industrial and Darkwave. It's all masterfully crafted by classically trained violinist, poet, writer, actress, and somewhat of a burlesque performer with a rich alto voice; Emilie Autumn. She wrote this album after suffering medical abuse at a mental hospital after a suicide attempt brought on by an abortion and emotionally abusive relationship. I'm not exaggerating when I say this album saved my life and also changed me as a person.

Highlights: Opheliac, Liar, The Art of Suicide, 306.

Of the Want Infinite, by Requiem in White (1995)

You don't often hear of bands combining Deathrock and Ethereal Wave as they're often perceived as the polar opposite ends of the spectrum of goth music; Deathrock being the goth subgenre closest in sound and idiosyncrasy to punk, and Ethereal Wave being one of the goth subgenres furthest from goth's punk roots. Add in an operatic soprano and you get... Some of THE best, most underrated goth bands of the 90s. Dramatic, ethereal, creepy, elegant, ghostly and complex, with incredible vocals. Truly a pity they only released one album and a couple of EPs.

Highlights: Everlasting Peace, Beneath the Leaves, My Shame, Acanthus.

Agony of the Undead Vampire Part II, by Two Witches (1992)

Truly another giant of vampiric Gothic Rock, absolute 90s legends and Finland's most iconic goth band. Themes of vampirism, occasionally anti-Christianity, sex, sensuality and kink abound. The vocals might put some people off, but it's definitely worth it.

Highlights: The Hungry Eyes, The Omen, Mircalla, We All Fall Down.

Mors Syphilitica, by Mors Syphilitica (1996)

Requiem in White may have disbanded after their first proper album, but two out of its three core band members, then spouses Lisa and Doc Hammer, went on to form pure Ethereal Wave act Mors Syphilitica right after and while it's generally less dark and spooky than its predecesor band, they're still a delight to the ears.

Highlights: The Woman Who Believed, Fell a Dance, The Vain Stroke, Below the Baleful Star.

Beyond the Veil, by Tristania (1999)

I've raved about this album so many times. Just... THE definitive Gothic Metal album to me. The lyrics, the choir of sopranos (aka all Vibeke Stene and her rich, sensual, dark, gorgeous voice), the perfect growling, the somber baritone vocals, the perfectly crafted guitar riffs (no guitar salad, all expressive and precisely timed), the exciting epic percussion, the piano, the violin solos, THE SYMPHONICS. Oh, my God. There's not one second wasted in the entire album, and I'm not being hyperbolic, I mean that. Truly the perfect Gothic Metal album.

Highlights: Beyond the Veil, Angina, Heretique, Opus Relinque.

Serpentine Gallery, by Switchblade Symphony (1995)

Tbh all of Switchblade Symphony's discography is fantastic, but their debut truly is a masterpiece. Creepy ragdoll vibes all over, great vocals, rich composition, poetic yet accessible lyrics. If you're into a more kindergoth vibe (Wednesday Addams, creepy dolls, child-like or even lolita-esque looks), this might be the band for you.

Highlights: Clown, Mine Eyes, Dollhouse, Bad Trash.

Vampyre Erotica, by Inkubus Sukkubus (1997)

The other band that introduced me to goth in 2007 and got me to never look back. Though the first song by them I ever listened to, Samhain, isn't from this album, this album is the one that truly got me hooked for life. Vampiric, sensual, decadent and dark. It has everything including really sweet vocals.

Highlights: Vampyre Erotica, Danse Vampyr, Hell-Fire, Heart of Lilith.

Link to a YouTube Playlist containing all the songs from all the albums above.

74 notes · View notes

gryffinwrites · 6 months

Text

I wrote a cozy fantasy as an ode to all the things that have every given me comfort.

Love At First Lance Is about a princess who volunteers for a tournament of games in disguise as a bandit, aiming to thwart the knights within and prevent anyone unsuited for her sister's hand from winning her as a prize. There is lots of humor, romance, found family, and whimsical tournament games designed by seasonal kingdoms.

Excerpt from the acknowledgements:

"When I sat down to write this cozy fantasy, I stewed a lot about what makes me feel cozy and safe, and poured that soup into my story. I would like to acknowledge that Love at First Lance pulls strong inspiration (or winks, nods, and nudges) to the following works:

Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Bridgerton, A Knight’s Tale, Thumbelina, The Princess Bride, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Diaries 2, New Girl, The Hobbit, Shrek 2, Twelfth Night, The Court Jester, Beatrix Potter, Strange Magic, The Hunger Games, A Court of Mist and Fury, Hades and Persephone, Anything by Author India Holton, RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Chronicles Of Narnia, Legends and Lattes, Harry Potter, Dungeons and Dragons, Pixar’s Brave, Over the Garden Wall, and many more…"

#gryffin murphy #over the garden wall #cozy fantasy #cozy fantasy romance #fantasy tournament #hunger games #a knights tale #booklr #cozy reads #booklover

52 notes · View notes

rhapsodynew · 6 days

Text

Cocteau Twins

"A phenomenon. Stunning beauty."

The Cocteau Twins, the Cocteau Twins, are the most mysterious group that has ever walked the earth.

The Cocteau Twins got together in 1980, changed the face of modern music forever, and fifteen years later, in the middle of recording their ninth album, they decided that "enough is enough" and broke up forever.

A brief history of Cocteau Twins fits in a few lines. The band was founded by two guys – Robin Guthrie and Will Heggie – in the small Scottish town of Grangemouth. At a local disco, they met a girl named Liz Fraser (Elizabeth Fraser), and she began to sing with them.

Their first album, Garlands, released in 1982, was immediately noticed by the press. The following year, bassist Will left the band, and Robin and Liz were left alone. This was the beginning of the Cocteau Twins' authentic sound: the Roland 808 percussion unit, Robin Guthrie's multi–layered processed guitars and Liz Fraser's multi-layered unearthly voices - a combination unlike anything else. Robin is a very special guitarist: he has often noticed that he is more interested in how the guitar is recorded than the notes it plays.

LP «Garlands», 1982

In this line-up they recorded seven albums and several mini-albums, sometimes they were joined by bassist Simon Raymonde. They played a lot live. For concerts, a live drummer and a second guitarist appeared on stage. That's all.

They wrote about their concerts:

"Elizabeth Fraser is mesmerizing on stage. She seems both fragile as a child and stunningly strong."

The press was at a loss to guess: what kind of people produce such extraordinary sounds? However, Robin and Liz (and Simon) were very reluctant to give interviews, and even when they did, not a word was ever said about the music itself.

Journalists suspected them of witchcraft, Cocteau Twins were seriously accused of corrupting the nation by transmitting subconscious magical messages in their songs. In the Middle Ages, they would simply have been burned at the stake.

At the same time, in 1984, their album "Treasure" ("Treasure") It was named the best album of the year, and Liz Fraser was named the best singer in Britain. The press competed in epithets:

"Their music is a perfect desert island untouched by the decay of commercial pop music."

"The rich and delicate mood of whispered secrets, sacred beauties and moments of tenderness."

"Their strength lies in insecurity; their magic flows, and no one will be able to explain it."

Or quite directly: "Truly, Cocteau Twins is the voice of God."

LP «Treasure», 1984

They were born in the heyday of punk; this music shaped them.

"Punk rock… As a child, I wanted to be like Sid Vicious. We are still paying for it. We continue to approach everything like punks, although time has changed and this approach no longer works. I often regret it. I don't know why we are like this" (Liz Fraser)

"... on long journeys, he saw things so eerie and beautiful that he could neither clearly remember nor describe them, although he knew that they had left deep marks on his heart. But he did not forget some things, and they were stored in his memory like miracles and mysteries that he recalled over and over again."

They remind us that we are much bigger and more wonderful than we were taught to think about ourselves.

Their melodies are a miracle that we have all forgotten. When they sing, it seems that we knew these melodies from the cradle, but somehow we did not remember, and when we listen, we remember, and it turns out that the whole world almost passed us by, the whole universe filled with an inexplicable mystery that rightfully belongs to us if we take the time to remember it.

Robin Guthrie

And if we really hear them, our life will go beyond what is allowed and return to its true path of mystery and admiration.

And I will recall once again John Ronald Reuel Tolkien:

"This world is vast, deep and boundless; its seas are boundless and the stars are innumerable; its beauty enchants, but danger lurks at every step; it is filled with joy and sadness that are sharper than a sword. The one who is allowed to enter there may consider himself lucky, but the language of the traveler cannot describe all the wealth and inexplicability of this country. And while he's there, it's dangerous for him to ask too many questions, so that the gates won't close and the keys to them won't be lost."

J. R. R. Tolkien, "About a Fairy Tale"(unfinished).

For me, these words exactly fit the Cocteau Twins music – and you can't say it better.

from the book "Balloon. Balloonists and Artifacts" by B.Grebenshchikov

#Everything you need to know about Rock📌

9 notes · View notes

reggie-black-is-my-gender · 4 months

Text

I actually just got the best idea for a nobleflower au: hades and Persephone!!

The black sisters are the big three (hades-Narcissa, Zeus-Beatrix, Poseidon-andromeda)

And of course, our queen Alice is Persephone, like guys this is so good??

#ao3 #the noble house of black #nobleflower #narcissa black #alice fortescue

14 notes · View notes

mycotoxine · 29 days

Text

thank you @sibelin for tagging me <3

shuffle your on repeat playlist and list the first 10 songs, then tag 10 people

Living in a French Movie - Hante.

3ISBÄR - Brutalismus 3000

Romantika - Brutalismus 3000

Persephone - Cocteau Twins

JE N'EXISTE PAS - Brutalismus 3000

Beatrix - Cocteau Twins

Moon Rocks - Talking Heads

Europaträume - Brutalismus 3000

Pentagramm - Brutalismus 3000

Burning Down the House - Talking Heads

I'm tagging @funkypurpleradiohost @mellyoraa @mindthewitch @snivel1 and anyone else who wants to do this!

#tag game

8 notes · View notes

prpfs · 15 days

Note

Hello, I'm Kat, I'm 30. Discord only writer.

This is going to be a major shot in the dark, but I have WANTS lol

Looking for long term writing partners 22+ ( under 22 please DNI ), semi lazy literate ( can write multiple paras, sometimes only one is needed ), friendly ooc ( I like talking with the people I write with ), frequent replies ( but understanding on ALL sides that life is busy or shitty and we don't always have to oomph), hyped for character and world building. Be excited! I love gushing about our ships and plot, making pinterest boards, sharing songs and memes, etc. ( I like to be friends ooc as well! )

Dark themes are a guarantee, nsfw themes are as well. ( + heavy sexual/romantic themes but roleplay must have storyline, details + dialogue ) 🖤 🕊️

My main focus right now is RARE PAIRS. I like to have a server with multiple ships/threads going on. Use of the Tupperbot to keep things organized. Writing side characters within threads.

SHIPS I'M LOOKING FOR ( bold is the muse I'm looking for, if neither is I could write either )

Hemlock Grove — Letha Godfrey x Roman Godfrey ( iykyk )

Scooby Doo — Shaggy Rogers x Daphne Blake

Avatar the Last Airbender — Azula x Sokka / Zuko & Mai

Charmed ( next gen ) — PJ Halliwell x A Demon

Winx ( fate saga ) — Beatrix x Riven

DC — Jason Todd x Harley Quinn

Greek Mytho — Aphrodite x Ares / Persephone x Hades

The 100 — John Murphy x Octavia Blake

Some of these come with plot ideas, some do not! ~ I’m also down to do some oc x cc things if the pairing/plot is right! I have an extensive list of canon and oc muses.

If interested please send me a DM here and we can see if we're a good fit before moving to Discord!

#hemlock grove rp #hemlock grove roleplay #scooby doo rp #scooby doo roleplay #avatar the last air bender rp #avatar the last air bender roleplay #charmed roleplay #charmed rp #winx rp #winx roleplay #dc rp #dc roleplay #greek rp #greek roleplay #the 100 rp #the 100 roleplay #fandom rp #fandom roleplay

9 notes · View notes

namesetc · 2 years

Note

hello!! i recently discovered i am bigender instead of a trans man. i currently have a very masc name and would like to have another, more fem leaning name. may i request an elegant, more fem/neutral name to also go by? :) thank you!!!

some elegant feminine leaning names imo:

adelaide

alexandra

alouette

anastasia

annette

antionette

amelia

beatrice/beatris/beatrix

briana/brianna

bridgette

claudette

claudia

charlotte

delphine

daphne

elizabeth

evelynn

eleanor

eleanora

Esmerelda

estelle

gabriella

gwendolyn

harriet

harrieta

jeanette/jeannette

josephine

josephina

juliet/juliette

julietta

katherine

lilith

lilian/liliane

liliana

lydia

madeline

meredeth

miriam

natalia

ophelia

odelia

odette

penelope

persephone

priscilla

rochelle

rosemary

rosalina

rosalind

rosalie

rosalia

scarlett

tabitha

theodora

valentina

veronica

victoria

violet/violette

violetta

vivian/viviane

viviana

if none of these work there might be more lists on here or you cound request again /lh

139 notes · View notes

darkrpfinder · 15 days

Note

Hello, I'm Kat, I'm 30. Discord only writer.

This is going to be a major shot in the dark, but I have WANTS lol

Dark themes are a guarantee, nsfw themes are as well. ( + heavy sexual/romantic themes but roleplay must have storyline, details + dialogue ) 🖤 🕊️

My main focus right now is RARE PAIRS. I like to have a server with multiple ships/threads going on. Use of the Tupperbot to keep things organized. Writing side characters within threads.

SHIPS I'M LOOKING FOR ( bold is the muse I'm looking for, if neither is I could write either )

Hemlock Grove — Letha Godfrey x Roman Godfrey ( iykyk )

Scooby Doo — Shaggy Rogers x Daphne Blake

Avatar the Last Airbender — Azula x Sokka / Zuko & Mai

Charmed ( next gen ) — PJ Halliwell x A Demon

Winx ( fate saga ) — Beatrix x Riven

DC — Jason Todd x Harley Quinn

Greek Mytho — Aphrodite x Ares / Persephone x Hades

The 100 — John Murphy x Octavia Blake

Some of these come with plot ideas, some do not! ~ I’m also down to do some oc x cc things if the pairing/plot is right! I have an extensive list of canon and oc muses.

If interested please send me a DM here and we can see if we're a good fit before moving to Discord!

#hemlock grove rp #scooby do rp #avatar the last airbender rp #atla rp #charmed rp #winx rp #dc rp #greek mythology rp #the 100 rp #rp search #dark roleplay #dark rp #spicy rp #18+ mun

5 notes · View notes

musical-failgirl-fight · 10 months

Text

MUSICAL FAILGIRL FIGHT ROUND 1

you all know the drill. here we go. i used edit.org to make this

voting for this is based on who you think encapsulates the "girlfail" trope best - who is the messiest and most pathetic. i will reblog any attached propaganda beyond "vote [x]" and i will post any asks i get.

this is just for the funnies, please be civil. please do not make jokes like "ill kms if [x] doesnt win" or threaten anyone for liking [y] - they are upsetting and not in the spirit of the polls.

links to the brackets are under the cut.

Helene Bezukhova (Great Comet) vs Maria (West Side Story)

Delia Deetz (Beetlejuice) vs Persephone (Hadestown)

Trina Weisenbachfeld (Falsettos) vs Sally Bowles (Cabaret)

Brooke Rodgers (Goosebumps) vs Riley Williams (We are the Tigers)

Jane Doe (Ride the Cyclone) vs Katherine Plumber (Newsies)

Rose Red (Ghost Quartet) vs Alana Beck (Dear Evan Hansen)

Eurydice (Hadestown) vs Veronica Sawyer (Heathers)

Sara McRae (Murder Ballad) vs Ruth (Pirates of Penzance)

Beatrix Campbell (Adamanti) vs Ariadne Minos (Ulysses Dies at Dawn)

Eponine Thernardier (Les Miserables) vs Nellie Lovett (Sweeney Todd)

Regina George (Mean Girls) vs Lee Green (Vide Noir)

Dr. Carmilla (Dr. Carmilla) vs Ocean O'Connell Rosenberg (Ride the Cyclone)

Judith Ford (36 Questions) vs Emma Perkins (The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals)

Natasha Rostova (Great Comet) vs Jutta von Sponheim (In the Green)

Harper Perkins (Don't Stop Me) vs Kate Monster (Avenue Q)

Mimi Schwinn (A New Brain) vs Madame Thenardier (Les Miserables)

#musical failgirl bracket #round 1

7 notes · View notes

themaresnest-dumblr · 1 year

Text

Raiders Of The Lost Island Consignment Shop – Part 123

PART ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR TO FOLLOW!

#raiders of the lost island consignment shop #sims 3 #sims 3 stories #Al-Simhara #zhivankarst #switch #cloverstardropper #sharkloverplayer #catloverplayer #hannah-r #lufferkinz #evil_one #edward bax #the fairy realm #smithy thistlethwaite #violaine tishbite #nina selaen #beatrix persephone

0 notes

botbf · 4 months

Text

tagged by @star-fissure to put my spotify on repeat on shuffle and list the first 10 songs that play! mwah thank you for the tag :3

1. highway song - system of a down

2. last call - elliott smith

3. beatrix - cocteau twins

4. lovesong - the cure

5. weakling - swans

6. persephone - cocteau twins

7. gouge away - pixies

8. the passion of lovers - bauhaus

9. i wanna crash my car on purpose - buio omega

10. 9 moon damage - crisis sigil

tagging @therealchaoschachacha @rivetgoth @executing @incinerated & whoever else ^u^

#our shared soad swag <3

5 notes · View notes

necatormundi · 8 months

Text

#cocteau twins

3 notes · View notes

adarkrainbow · 6 months

Text

Speaking of Pierre Dubois' books - and his collection of short stories "Contes de crime", all about describing various murders, crimes and investigations inspired by fairytales. In the last one, "Snow White" (which is, again, one of Dubois' weak short stories, despite having some brilliant moments, such as this deep and very personal raving at how ugly and ridiculous lawn gnomes and other ornamental garden-dwarves look through the eyes of a folklorist or expert in actual mythological gnomes, legendary dwarves and other lutins and imps), Dubois managed to sneak in, to slip in again his beloved (well it is not his but he firmly believes in it) theory of the "seasonal fairytale". Remember? I already evoked it in this post.

Dubois is a fervent supporter of this pseudo-mythological theory and belief that spread by 19th century folklorists that almost all famous fairytales depict a variation of the Persephone myth - or more precisely of a "summer and winter" myth. A debunked theory today, but that allows for some very neat, very cool and very poetic interpretations of fairytales. And in his short story Dubois summarizes it again, during one of his very blatant digressions - blatant as in, this all doesn't have any relation to the actual plot whatsoever and is clearly just there for the sake of making a poetic text. But Dubois is in many way like Balzac - a guy who, if he can't make a plot-unrelated, out-of-nowhere digression in his story, won't care about telling the story in the first place.

Anyway here is a rough translation of the precise passage. The narrator of the tale (the titular fairytale detective I evoked in my previous post about "Comptines assassines") asks a woman to remember her childhood. She mentions she sees herself reading a fairytale book with illustrations on her bed, in her blue bedroom surrounded by Beatrix Potter drawings on the walls.

"What do you see?" "A beautiful princess, asleep in a bush of brambles, a charming prince is leaning over her forehead..." "Shush! She will open her eyelids once he places his kiss and, at the very same moment, all of nature will wake up from its long wintry sleep. She is the Beauty of the sleeping wood, that the Frost Witch pircked with her ice-needle ; Snow-White petrified in her glass coffin ; and Cinderella buried under a cold shroud of ashes. She is the Red Riding Hood with her bonnet of dawn, swallowed by the black belly of the wolf... We could name many more of them, we all know them. All the Sleeping Beauties, those Nymphs of daytime and springtime that the darkness imprisoned, for a hundred years, or for the span of an endless winter night, before the Zephyr Elf, the Solar Prince, marries them, makes the fields green again, and places flowers onto the dress of the Beautiful Queens of May... Here is the seasonal origin of fairytales."

#pierre dubois #seasonal fairytales theory

6 notes · View notes