The Rose and the Ring

1 About this book

The Rose and The Ring is a satirical work of fantasy fiction written by William Makepeace Thackeray, originally published on Christmas in 1854, though the first edition is dated 1855. It criticises, to some extent, the attitudes of the monarchy and those at the top of society and challenges their ideals of beauty and marriage.

Set in the fictional countries of Paflagonia and Crim Tartary (named after historical lands, but having nothing to do with them except the names), the story revolves around the lives and fortunes of four young royal cousins, Princesses Angelica and Rosalba, and Princes Bulbo and Giglio. Each page is headed by a line of poetry summing up the plot at that point and the storyline as a whole is laid out, as the book states, as "A Fireside Pantomime". The original edition had illustrations by Thackeray who had once intended a career as an illustrator.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Good for readers who want: fairy tales and a short read.

• English wit and humor
• Biography
• Christmas stories
• English Manuscripts
• Fairy tales
• Christmas