More Celtic Fairy Tales

by Joseph Jacobs

Joseph Jacobs (1854-1916) was a literary and Jewish historian. He was a writer for the Jewish Encyclopaedia and a notable folklorist, creating several noteworthy collections of fairy tales. He was secretary of the Society of Hebrew Literature from 1878 to 1884, and in 1882 came into prominence as the writer of a series of articles in The Times on the persecution of the Jews in Russia. This led to the formation of the mansion house fund and committee, of which Jacobs was secretary from 1882 to 1900. In 1890 he edited English Fairy Tales, the first of his long series of books of fairy tales published. Others include Indian Fairy Tales (1892), Celtic Fairy Tales (1892), More English Fairy Tales (1894) and More Celtic Fairy Tales (1895). He was also the author of Book of Wonder Voyages (1896) and The Story of Geographical Discovery (1898).

Genres: Mythology, Folklore, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Fiction, Folk Tales, Classics

188 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1894

About the author

Joseph Jacobs was an Australian folklorist, literary critic, historian and writer of English literature who became a notable collector and publisher of English Folklore. His work went on to popularize some of the worlds best known versions of English fairy tales including "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Goldilocks and the three bears", "The Three Little Pigs", "Jack the Giant Killer" and "The History of Tom Thumb". He published his English fairy tale collections: English Fairy Tales in 1890 and More English Fairytales in 1894 but also went on after and in between both books to publish fairy tales collected from continental Europe as well as Jewish, Celtic and Indian Fairytales which made him one of the most popular writers of fairytales for the English language. Jacobs was also an editor for journals and books on the subject of folklore which included editing the Fables of Bidpai and the Fables of Aesop, as well as articles on the migration of Jewish folklore. He also edited editions of "The Thousand and One Nights". He went on to join The Folklore Society in England and became an editor of the society journal Folklore. Joseph Jacobs also contributed to the Jewish Encyclopedia.

For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_J...

Reviews

[Colleen Villasenor · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was filled with archaic language and inconsistent spellings. Gaelic words were also used often. Regardless of the author's intention, this is not a fairy tale book for children. Many of the stories were confusing, if not downright off-putting. I was not at all amused by the story of the seven dim-witted brothers who were continually ticked by neighbors until they had no money or property and had to be left to beg. There are notes at the back of the book intended for a scholarly discussion of the origin of these tales. I suppose that would be interesting to someone making a study of these

[A.R. Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid book of Celtic fairy tales compiled and edited by Joseph Jacobs. Some of the stories are related to bronze-age epics, which means they have more parts in verse, and more named characters than typical fairy tales. Other stories are just what you'd expect in a book of fairy tales.

While probably appropriate for all audiences, most older fairy tale books should be read over once before being shared with children--though I don't think this volume had anything much worse than that guy who married a second wife while looking for his first (and had a kid with her). And many the venomous shoe, if your kids are scared of shoes (I know I find them terrifying). Also, grammar takes a vacation in at least one of the stories.

[Andrew Ives · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with its predecessor, this collection of Celtic fairy tales are all rather ancient, somewhat academic, mostly Irish in tone and appear to be perfectly well translated from whatever ancient manuscripts on which they were found. They do contain some peculiar words left untranslated in italics, or just local/unusual words which have fallen out of usage. This much is all well and good, but the stories themselves range from facile, through ridiculous to utter lunacy. One or two seem to contain a moral in the style of an Aesop's Fable, but mostly they just meander from one giant to a king, a fairy, a hag, feature a spot of horrendous violence somewhere therein and not a lot else happens that makes any real sense. Some of them repeat certain phrases or paragraphs like "who's been eating my porridge?" over and over, making them tiresome. I felt as if I was wasting my time ploughing through this hefty hardback tome. Very slightly interesting for Celts and from a historical viewpoint, but not for me. 2/5

[Jadie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally finished the second half of Jacobs's compilation. A lot of the Celtic storytelling style (stories embedded in only barely relevant stories) is not for me. Again, the reference notes that Jacobs includes were interesting and informational, and therefore they were some of the best parts for me. Relieved to finish this guy and start something new.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good continuation of the first volume, though some of the stories are more convoluted and difficult to follow.

[Jennifer Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great takes of tales

It was a great addition for anyone who loved a good read. I love to relax to more of my grandparents lore. Thanks

[Jessica Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not too Anglicized

The editor is meticulous in listing his sources (thus giving us even more tales to look up) and there are a lot of 'new' tales for us Fairy Tale fanatics.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A vile old hag slaughters princes yet is outwitted by the quick thinking of a small young girl named Smallhead. The Children of Lir are transformed into swans. A fox transports a gardener's son around the world on his magic brush. A demon grows out of a king's mouth instead of a tongue. An evil tricksy weasel is a witch in disguise.

Following on from the first volume, this collection of 20 Celtic fairytales is as varied as it is fascinating. The John D Batten illustrations are beautiful, and work as the perfect accompaniment to the text.

[Rachel Hope Crossman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those exquisite books that carries me back to my childhood. The illustrations by John D. Batten awaken half-formed visions of tales read long ago. A great book to read in bits and pieces, on vacation, or when you need something different. Personal favorites here include The Greek Princess and the Young Gardener, and The Russet Dog.

[Jamie Ander · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were very interesting and weird too.

[Mary Catelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read both this and Celtic Fairy Tales and reviewed them in a lump. Read it under that one.

[S]

collected by Joseph Jacobs
Mineola, New York: Dover Publications

not a good series