Product Description

Drawing on myth, folklore and history, the stories of the "Mabinogion" passed from generations of storytellers before they were written down in the thirteenth century in the form we know. Set in dual realms of the forests and valleys of Wales and the shadowy otherworld, the tales are permeated by a dreamlike atmosphere. In "Math Son of Mathonwy" two brothers plot to carry off the virginal Goewin, while in "Manawydan Son of Llyr" a chieftain roams throughout Britain after a spell is cast over his land. And King Arthur's court provides the backdrop to tales such as "How Culhwch Won Olwen", in which a young man must complete many tasks before he can marry a giant's daughter.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #276413 in Books
• Published on: 1976-11-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780140443226
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Language Notes
Text: English, Welsh (translation)

About the Author
Jeffrey Gantz lives in Massachusetts, where he works as a newspaper editor and journalist. An expert in Celtic languages and literature, he has also translated Early Irish Myths and Sagas for Penguin Classics.

Customer Reviews

Excellent translation of an under-read classic
Jeffrey Gantz's translation of The Mabinogion is not only the most readable to the modern man, unlike Guest, he doesn't delete passages thought "indelicate" by Victorian society. This is the best representation of these Welsh classics, and includes Gantz's own study of the mythology of these texts, a book in it's own right, as a prologue and at the beginning of each tale. A must for every library.

An Excellent Account of Welsh Celtic Mythology
The Mabinogion is an excellent collection of Welsh Celtic myths/legends. Certain tales are difficult to follow because of a large cast of characters and long list of events/deeds. Nevertheless, the Mabinogion portrays Celtic (Welsh) mythology well. There is an excellent summary of each tale, a guide to pronunciation of names and a map of the region. Together with the tales, these additions make this book exciting and easily accessible.

Strange Tales
The Mabinogion is a collection of ancient Welsh mythlogical tales. The first four stories, called the four branches of Mabinogi, form a coherent cycle. The Mabinogion also contains several pseudo-historical tales, ans several early Arthurian stories. The earliest Arthurian tale ever written(Culhwch and Olwen)is contained in this volume. The Mabinogion takes place in a bizzare mythological world filled with dragons, demons, and faries. Overall, a fascinating read. Well worth a purchase.