Irish fairy tales

by James Stephens

Hardcover, 1968

Status

Available

Call number

398.2

Genres

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

Gifts

Publication

The Macmillan Company (1968), 7 pages

Description

Fantasy. Fiction. Short Stories. Folklore. HTML: Take a trip through the rich folklore of Ireland in this enchanting volume from author James Stephens. Fairy kings, femmes fatales, bewitched animals, epic feuds�??these action-packed stories traverse a broad spectrum of themes and settings. Folklore fans and readers interested in Gaelic and Celtic culture will appreciate this collection.

User reviews

LibraryThing member bzedan

There's really not a lot to dislike about Irish fairy tales. The ones in this book run more the lines of kings and warriors and their interactions with the magic world.

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LibraryThing member fiverivers

This is one of those books you should read simply to expand your knowledge of Irish heritage and culture. A fascinating insight into historical standards in society, particularly women's roles, as well as a broader world view and belief system.

LibraryThing member dreamseeker

Thsi reprint of a book originally published in 1920, includes beautiful color illustrations and a story-telling style that preserves the lyricism of Irish speech and idiom. A grand collection of heros, spells, fate, sorrows and joyous daring exploits. You can almost smell the peat smoke from the

old Irish hearths where Stephens collected his tales.

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LibraryThing member MrsLee

The Myths and Magic of Old Ireland, these stories are classic Irish folk tales which weave in and out of Faery and our world, with heroes such as Fionn mac Uail, lord of the Fianna. These are almost like reading poems, they have a rhythm and a cadence to them which becomes mesmerizing, especially

when characters are speaking. I found it hard going at first, but after the first few stories, my interest was drawn and by the end of the book, I couldn't put it down. There is subtle humor in the dialog. At times, it felt as though I were reading the history of the Nac Mac Feegle from Discworld. I am a lover and collector of books with Arthur Rackham illustrations, so that is what drew me to this, but Fall River Press has made a lovely book in total, with a fine feel to the cloth cover, thick pages made to look like vellum and a design of print which feels as if you have found an ancient book written by monks.

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LibraryThing member themulhern

My copy is called "Irish Fairy Tales" but it has the same content and the Arthur Rackham illustrations. I suspect that James Stephens never retold an Irish legend without making it fascinating and splendid.

LibraryThing member antiquary

Retellings of Irish folktales by James Stephens, best known for writing The Crock of Gold, which I read hen perhaps too young because my father liked and quoted it. I believe this book was one of several I got as texts for an honors class in Celtic and Germanic Folklore at Bowling Green State

University circa 1968 -1969.

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LibraryThing member pamkaye

10 stories of Finn and other champions of Ireland and Faery. Some tales are good and some are corny. But over all a fun read.
I liked the description of Conaran's daughters in "The Enchanted Cave of Crab Corran". As I imagine these girls, I had to laugh.
Full of adventure, magic, love, and betrayal.

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