What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales from the Mabinogion
A retelling of the four books of the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh medieval tales about the feats and exploits of legendary Welsh kings and princes.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
18 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 23, 2013
Where would we be as mere mortals without our dreams, anticipation and expectations in our lives? And mine were certainly achieved when I went on holiday for a week in Mid-Wales two months ago.
I had two aims, apart from enjoying myself on holiday, of course, and that was to see the Aberystwyth National Library of Wales (wonderful location overlooking the university town and the sea; and super to browse through the books, although their security was a pain – a need for identification, filling in a form, etc. to get a pass). The other was to visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion.
Upon arrival there, the village was breathtaking, and it stands on a rugged cliff top overlooking the estuary of the Afon (river) Glaswyn in North Wales. The views were stunning, and the village itself has acres of sub-tropical woodlands and miles of sandy beaches; although regrettably one was restricted to the village. Well there’s always the ubiquitous souvenir shop, which normally I hate in these tourist attractions, and what a surprise I had in store for me at the back of the shop. I discovered this gem of a book on the top shelf entitled, “Tales from Mabinogian”. It was the magnificent illustration on the cover that caught my eye. The manager also realized that she had a potential customer in me and directly made her way towards me. I’m always impressed with individuals who are quick on the uptake and she had this softly flowing Welsh accent (amazing too how many people speak Welsh in their everyday lives). Well this woman was soon in full flight, extolling the virtues of this book on Celtic storytelling and when I then told her I would take it, her beaming face was a delight to see. I was going to buy the book anyway but I didn’t mention that fact.
I really cannot believe that this is a book for children. Apart from the stunning coloured illustrations by Margaret Jones, Gwyn Thomas and Kevin Crossley-Holland have done an excellent job with this translation (I hope that it’s a good one!). It is a retelling of the four books of the Mabinogion texts, a collection of Welsh medieval tales about the feats and exploits of legendary Welsh kings and princes. I was disappointed that there weren’t any dragons but nevertheless a great read. There’s also a glossary at the back on how to pronounce some of these rather unusual names, for example Bendigeidfran = Ben-dee guide-vrahn and Lleu Llaw Gyffes =- Llay Llaoo Guff-ess (ll = tl as one sound).
I loved the quick, rather racy style of writing. It’s fun, saucy, sexy, magical, there are magicians, people telling tales and beautifully written. Lovely turns of phrase such as:
“Lleu came home that night. And Blodeuwedd and he spent the day together talking and singing and enjoying themselves. And that night they went to bed together.”
Well that’s a good way to end a day.
Finding this book was serendipitous indeed and I loved it. So do try it!
I had two aims, apart from enjoying myself on holiday, of course, and that was to see the Aberystwyth National Library of Wales (wonderful location overlooking the university town and the sea; and super to browse through the books, although their security was a pain – a need for identification, filling in a form, etc. to get a pass). The other was to visit the Italianate village of Portmeirion.
Upon arrival there, the village was breathtaking, and it stands on a rugged cliff top overlooking the estuary of the Afon (river) Glaswyn in North Wales. The views were stunning, and the village itself has acres of sub-tropical woodlands and miles of sandy beaches; although regrettably one was restricted to the village. Well there’s always the ubiquitous souvenir shop, which normally I hate in these tourist attractions, and what a surprise I had in store for me at the back of the shop. I discovered this gem of a book on the top shelf entitled, “Tales from Mabinogian”. It was the magnificent illustration on the cover that caught my eye. The manager also realized that she had a potential customer in me and directly made her way towards me. I’m always impressed with individuals who are quick on the uptake and she had this softly flowing Welsh accent (amazing too how many people speak Welsh in their everyday lives). Well this woman was soon in full flight, extolling the virtues of this book on Celtic storytelling and when I then told her I would take it, her beaming face was a delight to see. I was going to buy the book anyway but I didn’t mention that fact.
I really cannot believe that this is a book for children. Apart from the stunning coloured illustrations by Margaret Jones, Gwyn Thomas and Kevin Crossley-Holland have done an excellent job with this translation (I hope that it’s a good one!). It is a retelling of the four books of the Mabinogion texts, a collection of Welsh medieval tales about the feats and exploits of legendary Welsh kings and princes. I was disappointed that there weren’t any dragons but nevertheless a great read. There’s also a glossary at the back on how to pronounce some of these rather unusual names, for example Bendigeidfran = Ben-dee guide-vrahn and Lleu Llaw Gyffes =- Llay Llaoo Guff-ess (ll = tl as one sound).
I loved the quick, rather racy style of writing. It’s fun, saucy, sexy, magical, there are magicians, people telling tales and beautifully written. Lovely turns of phrase such as:
“Lleu came home that night. And Blodeuwedd and he spent the day together talking and singing and enjoying themselves. And that night they went to bed together.”
Well that’s a good way to end a day.
Finding this book was serendipitous indeed and I loved it. So do try it!
March 19, 2020
I suppose it's a tribute to the power of these stories that I always finish them literally shaking with rage, determined that never again will I subject myself to their despicable misogyny, only to find myself drawn back in again, at some later point, and reading some other translation, retelling or iteration. I suspect that it is the tension between their ugliness - and make no mistake, the sheer woman-hating savagery here is nothing if not ugly - and their simultaneous beauty - the language! the sorcery! the rules of hospitality, and of honor! - that so fascinates me. Either that, or I'm just a glutton for punishment.
This gorgeous children's version of the Mabinogion - and as Professor Gwyn Thomas, who was commissioned by the Welsh Arts Council to produce the original Welsh-language edition of this book, points out in his foreword, these four stories are the Mabinogion, despite the name being commonly used for a broader collection of eleven tales - is skillfully retold and simplified, by Thomas, of course, and by Kevin Crossley-Holland as well, in the English version, and beautifully illustrated by Margaret Jones. All the main incidents of the four branches - Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed; Branwen, Daughter of Llŷr; Manawydan, son of Llŷr; Math, son of Mathonwy - are here, together with a brief glossary of Welsh names, at the rear.
As always, when reading these stories, I was most struck by the second branch - probably because the character of Efnisien has a way of surfacing, in the world of children's fantasy literature, which I study (see Lloyd Alexander's The Black Cauldron and Jenny Nimmo's The Snow Spider , for two prominent, and very different treatments); and because Branwen's self-recrimination always makes me want to brain someone (possibly her) with a stone. No, sweetheart, the men of Wales and Ireland did not come to grief because of you, but rather because of your horse-mutilating, child-murdering asshole brother. Got it? Ugh!
Then again, the fourth branch is also always good for some ulcer-inducing fury! How about those rapist brothers, Gwydion and Gilfaethwy? How about their punishment, at the hands of their uncle, Math, Son of Mathonwy? Three years in animal form (not so bad!), and they must bear children (horrors!)? You get it? Bearing children - ie, being a woman - is the most degrading punishment that can be devised! Even worse than being an animal! Fantabulous, early Welsh songsters - thanks for that. Then Gywdion, suitably chastised, gets to call his sister Arionrhod all kind of bad names, because she a) isn't a maiden, and b) isn't properly maternal! Hypocrite, thy name is man... at least it is in the Mabinogion.
There are, of course, reasons to read this classic work, despite these appalling themes - which are too seldom discussed, that I can see, looking over other reviews online - and chief amongst them is the sense, when reading, that one in being ensnared in a web of sorcery, by the teller. The sense of magic in these tales is strong, and it is idiosyncratic as well - it feels like nothing else. Whole kingdoms go down under spells, and their kings wander off to become craftsmen! But of course - isn't that what heroes do? Women are created from flowers (I know, I know, but this was before it was stereotypical), and baptized anyway. Of course they turn out to be traitorous bitches, but that's another story (and all part of a grand Welsh tradition). I love these stories - I really do! I just wish I didn't hate them as well...
Addendum: Did I mention that this edition had gorgeous illustrations? Fabulous job, Margaret Jones! I loved all the little decorative details (Celtic knotwork throughout, and an ogham stone, at one point!), and the composition of each image. Simply beautiful!
This gorgeous children's version of the Mabinogion - and as Professor Gwyn Thomas, who was commissioned by the Welsh Arts Council to produce the original Welsh-language edition of this book, points out in his foreword, these four stories are the Mabinogion, despite the name being commonly used for a broader collection of eleven tales - is skillfully retold and simplified, by Thomas, of course, and by Kevin Crossley-Holland as well, in the English version, and beautifully illustrated by Margaret Jones. All the main incidents of the four branches - Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed; Branwen, Daughter of Llŷr; Manawydan, son of Llŷr; Math, son of Mathonwy - are here, together with a brief glossary of Welsh names, at the rear.
As always, when reading these stories, I was most struck by the second branch - probably because the character of Efnisien has a way of surfacing, in the world of children's fantasy literature, which I study (see Lloyd Alexander's The Black Cauldron and Jenny Nimmo's The Snow Spider , for two prominent, and very different treatments); and because Branwen's self-recrimination always makes me want to brain someone (possibly her) with a stone. No, sweetheart, the men of Wales and Ireland did not come to grief because of you, but rather because of your horse-mutilating, child-murdering asshole brother. Got it? Ugh!
Then again, the fourth branch is also always good for some ulcer-inducing fury! How about those rapist brothers, Gwydion and Gilfaethwy? How about their punishment, at the hands of their uncle, Math, Son of Mathonwy? Three years in animal form (not so bad!), and they must bear children (horrors!)? You get it? Bearing children - ie, being a woman - is the most degrading punishment that can be devised! Even worse than being an animal! Fantabulous, early Welsh songsters - thanks for that. Then Gywdion, suitably chastised, gets to call his sister Arionrhod all kind of bad names, because she a) isn't a maiden, and b) isn't properly maternal! Hypocrite, thy name is man... at least it is in the Mabinogion.
There are, of course, reasons to read this classic work, despite these appalling themes - which are too seldom discussed, that I can see, looking over other reviews online - and chief amongst them is the sense, when reading, that one in being ensnared in a web of sorcery, by the teller. The sense of magic in these tales is strong, and it is idiosyncratic as well - it feels like nothing else. Whole kingdoms go down under spells, and their kings wander off to become craftsmen! But of course - isn't that what heroes do? Women are created from flowers (I know, I know, but this was before it was stereotypical), and baptized anyway. Of course they turn out to be traitorous bitches, but that's another story (and all part of a grand Welsh tradition). I love these stories - I really do! I just wish I didn't hate them as well...
Addendum: Did I mention that this edition had gorgeous illustrations? Fabulous job, Margaret Jones! I loved all the little decorative details (Celtic knotwork throughout, and an ogham stone, at one point!), and the composition of each image. Simply beautiful!
May 23, 2007
Celtic mythology at it's finest. This is an illustrated "children's" version of the classic Welsh tales - hence it is a a sort of digest, but still a great intro to the rich and ancient body of Welsh lit. Beguilery, Magic, Sex and Murder abound - and all for the kids! Plus, the artwork is great (by Welsh artist Margaret Jones).
Fun facts:
-Many of the characters were originally Welsh gods; after centuries of oral tales, Christian monks finally wrote them down, infusing Celtic mythology with a Christian worldview.
-Was the inspiration for The Black Cauldron (and the other books in the Prydain Chronicles), Walton's Mabinogion Tetralogy (each book being inspired by one of the "4 branches of the Mabinogion.")
-Was virtually unread outside of Wales until the 19th Century, when they were translated into English by Lady Charlotte Guest.
-The "forest attack" scene inspired the similar scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth, which in turn inspired the more literal "forest attack" on the part of the Ents in The Lord of the Rings.
-"Mabinogion" is an erroneous title; more accurately, it should be called "Y Mabinogi," which (probably) means "tales of youth."
-Another Shakespeare reference: The story of King Lear is probably derived in part from The Children of Llyr (a house of demigods of sorts)
-While not in one of the 4 major branches, an additional tale often found in the Mabinogion called "Culhwch and Olwen" features a cameo by none other than King Arthur himself (the earliest known Arthurian references comes from the 7th Cent Welsh poem Y Gododdin).
Fun facts:
-Many of the characters were originally Welsh gods; after centuries of oral tales, Christian monks finally wrote them down, infusing Celtic mythology with a Christian worldview.
-Was the inspiration for The Black Cauldron (and the other books in the Prydain Chronicles), Walton's Mabinogion Tetralogy (each book being inspired by one of the "4 branches of the Mabinogion.")
-Was virtually unread outside of Wales until the 19th Century, when they were translated into English by Lady Charlotte Guest.
-The "forest attack" scene inspired the similar scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth, which in turn inspired the more literal "forest attack" on the part of the Ents in The Lord of the Rings.
-"Mabinogion" is an erroneous title; more accurately, it should be called "Y Mabinogi," which (probably) means "tales of youth."
-Another Shakespeare reference: The story of King Lear is probably derived in part from The Children of Llyr (a house of demigods of sorts)
-While not in one of the 4 major branches, an additional tale often found in the Mabinogion called "Culhwch and Olwen" features a cameo by none other than King Arthur himself (the earliest known Arthurian references comes from the 7th Cent Welsh poem Y Gododdin).
March 13, 2024
A lovely book, and the illustrations are fabulous, however the translation from Welsh seems to have lost some of the excitement I remember when reading it as a Child (in Welsh) at school
October 17, 2018
Delightful illustrations.
September 13, 2022
I started reading this directly after The Greek Myths: The Complete and Definitive Edition as it was referenced several times in that text. I quickly realized that I'd been somewhat spoiled by Graves's work: the cross-referenced, presented and then academically broken down myths of his book were overwhelmingly illuminated, while in Tales there are simply four stories presented in plain English alongside some very beautiful illustrations. I'm going to have to search for a more thorough analysis of these ancient tales, though just reading them was "fun" in the way that reading a children's storybook would be.
I would love to know how these stories were delivered originally, via oral tradition, and what audience reactions were. Much of what's presented, at least via this edition, is extremely fanciful, to the point of disbelief. But, I suppose, that's one of the roles of a halfway decent myth.
I would love to know how these stories were delivered originally, via oral tradition, and what audience reactions were. Much of what's presented, at least via this edition, is extremely fanciful, to the point of disbelief. But, I suppose, that's one of the roles of a halfway decent myth.
January 13, 2024
Wow, there are some truly… interesting stories in here.
Lords who have to fight all the time, and when they are not fighting, they MUST rest their feet in the lap of a maiden.
Magic weapons, magic wands, poets, pigs who eat things they should not.
Beautiful maidens, who find their beauty a curse.
Brothers punished for transgressions by being turned into a male and female of a different species every year, who have to deliver their progeny to the man they betrayed. [not to the maiden they raped, just saying…]
3 stars
Lords who have to fight all the time, and when they are not fighting, they MUST rest their feet in the lap of a maiden.
Magic weapons, magic wands, poets, pigs who eat things they should not.
Beautiful maidens, who find their beauty a curse.
Brothers punished for transgressions by being turned into a male and female of a different species every year, who have to deliver their progeny to the man they betrayed. [not to the maiden they raped, just saying…]
3 stars
April 25, 2020
This book is my first introduction to these Welsh folk tales and I will aim to read them in another form in the future. I enjoyed them and found them a bit different, lots of giants and shape-shifting going on and of course magic. I absolutely loved the illustrations in this book and would buy it for those alone.
January 23, 2022
Stoked with this find at the second hand book store. An absolutely gorgeous book and I adore the accompanying artwork. Lovely to read.
February 14, 2022
Entertaining , nicely illustrated.
July 26, 2014
My maiden name is Lloyd and I grew up with a ton of great uncles on the Lloyd side who used to tell stories. A lot of stories. These stories went on an on and when they finally wrapped up, I was often left thinking, "What was that supposed to be about?". I think this must be their Welsh blood. These tales went on and on and on and I don't know just what I was supposed to gain from reading them. The plan was to read the entire Maginogion…but I am not at all certain that this will happen after getting this taste.
March 5, 2011
I'd been curious about Welsh folk tales, so I'm glad I read this, but Ifound many of the tales puzzling. I couldn't figure out why various people did what they did. What happened and how (including magic, of course) was all fine with me, but the motivations were confusing. Still, I liked hearing all the Welsh place names. And the illustrations were intruiging, very well done.
September 3, 2016
This collection of Welsh stories is certainly charming and a great source of enjoyment for any child that enjoys reading. On a different note, it was also interesting to see the remarkable similarities that can be found with other stories from around the globe, especially those found in the Thousand and One Night collections.
May 2, 2010
This could be called an illustrated Readers Digest of the Mabinogion. At 88 pages including illustrations which are excellent is a small work. Some branches of the Mabinogion are done well if brief, others lack.
March 3, 2016
I know that these are ancient tales, but many are so sad and brutal.
December 17, 2016
Just gorgeous - we bought this one an Am Mabinogi, the Ghàidhlig edition, at the same time to read to our kids.
Want to Read
May 6, 2010My god! What beautiful illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews