Ghaddar the Ghoul and other Palestinian Stories

In the nine fascinating stories gathered here, folk tale enthusiasts will recognise many familiar figures in new settings. The giant with the three golden hairs is Ghaddar the Ghoul and Ahmad is the humble giant killer who defeats him by helping lesser ghouls with their problems. The Peddlar of Swaffham, pursuing his silly but wise pursuit of a dream of great wealth, hastens to the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem rather than to an East Anglian market town. There is a wonderful Palestinian version of the three sillies, and, in ‘I Landed at the Prince’s Party’, one of the most gloriously rhapsodic tall-tales I’ve ever read. The stories are short, varied and told in straightforward but vivid language. This is an invaluable addition to the folklore collection.