The Fake Folklore
of Bartley Reservoir

The Fake Folklore of Bartley Reservoir by Portland Jones is an absolute delight, a literary treasure trove that brims with whimsy and a sense of joyful discovery. For anyone familiar with the real-life locations in and around Bartley Reservoir, this book is an exhilarating read. The thrill of recognising a place or a well-trodden path is like finding hidden gems scattered through the pages, each one gleaming with a mix of nostalgia and newfound wonder.

Portland Jones has crafted a narrative that is as cunning as it is charming. The way she builds upon actual history and folklore, weaving in her own threads of invention? Well, it’s nothing short of masterful. The line between fact and fiction becomes deliciously blurred, leaving you questioning where reality ends and myth begins. Yet, this is not a frustration but rather a testament to her skill as a storyteller—her ability to concoct tales that feel as if they have always existed, tucked away in the corners of local memory.

The added layers of untold stories from these familiar locales are perhaps the book’s most magical aspect. These narratives breathe new life into places we thought we knew, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. I found myself completely enchanted by the idea that there might be more to the wilds of Birmingham than meets the eye—hidden histories, secret legends, and forgotten heroes, all waiting to be uncovered. Here be dragons after all!

Jones has sparked my imagination in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Her tales have left me pondering what other stories might lie just beneath the surface of the places I see every day. It’s this kind of inspiration that makes “The Fake Folklore of Bartley Reservoir” not just a book, but a catalyst for creative thought, a nudge to look at the world with a little more curiosity and a lot more wonder.

In short, Portland Jones has gifted us with a perfect blend of history and invention, crafting a world so vivid and so plausible that you’ll want to believe every word. It’s a celebration of local culture and a joyous invitation to lose yourself in the folklore of a place where reality and fantasy dance hand in hand.