This passage is describing the way Armand fell in love, in the same way everyone in his family fell in love. It describes the love as being shot by a pistol which shows that it happens immediately the first time they see the person that they are falling in love with.
Eight degree four minute (Indira point) is southern most latitude of India. Kanyakumari at 8°4′41″N and 37°32′28″E is the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland. Or you also have Google
Fairy tale would fall under Fantasy with things such as Fairies and Leprechauns, but folktale would have characters such as Paul Bunyan that dont have the extreme fantasy aspect.