Episode 293: Goblin Fruit and Faery Cobblers - The Horror of Getting What You Truly Want in Speculative Fiction

Everyone is familiar with the expression 'be careful what you wish for' but how many people recall the folkloric figure whence such warnings originate? The 'faery cobbler' archetype is a devious and mercurial character in folklore and fairytale, often showing that the things we desire are not what we actually need, with disastrous consequences. This week, Jules and Madeleine look at some of the original 'faery cobblers' in myth and folktale, moving on to examine how the character is still making regular appearances in modern fiction. Getting exactly what you want is often not what's best for you and there's a genuine horror in it. On the slab this week: Needful Things - Stephen King, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and many more.

 

Title music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic