A Short Review of Tales of the Seal People, by Duncan Williamson

Tales of the Seal People: Scottish Folk Tales by Duncan Williamson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I want to know more about selkies, or as they are called in this charming collection of tales, silkies. One of "Scotland's Travelling People, formerly called tinkers," Duncan Williamson learned these tales years ago "directly from working with crofters and fishermen along Loch Fyne," in Scotland (147, 3). Or from any one who "would tell him a tale" (back cover).

They are wonderful. These stories were, as Williamson explains, "never made, they were never set to any pattern. They were just 'something strange' according to them that actually took place. It was family history, that's the truth" (3). I would say there is sort of a pattern or recurring threads: live and let live, there's enough in the sea for men and seals, leave them be and they will leave you be. Care for a selkie, love one, and they will do the same for you. If not, they do take revenge. These stories do teach that all life is interconnected, that nature must be cared for or lost. They also teach of the intersections between humans and the animals, between the magical and the mundane of love, obsession, and revenge.

Good stuff.



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