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Irish Imbas: Celtic Mythology Collection
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Over the past centuries, many of the most important Celtic cultural narratives and tales have been relegated to the status of children’s stories or cartoonish caricature, misunderstood and misinterpreted for as long as most of us can remember.
This collection by a new wave of contemporary authors hauls Celtic stories out of the dusty shadows and with succinct mythological a ...more
This collection by a new wave of contemporary authors hauls Celtic stories out of the dusty shadows and with succinct mythological a ...more
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Start your review of Irish Imbas: Celtic Mythology Collection
My favorite kind of book. One that goes back to the beginning and hits the points of how and where the myths and legends began.
Short and very good.
While the stories are short, they are all well written and interesting. Nice to have modern tales with hints of past mythology coming through
While the stories are short, they are all well written and interesting. Nice to have modern tales with hints of past mythology coming through
Jul 06, 2016
Ryan
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
short-stories
This was a nice, short little read that takes several classic elements of Celtic folklore and presents them in a more modern context. It was a highly enjoyable read, and O'Sullivan adds explanations of the traditional legends associated with each story, which makes it a highly accessible one as well.
I don't know where my desire to read folklore came from; but this is where it ended up, and it didn't disappoint in the slightest. These Celtic tales are just a nice, simple read, while learning about Celtic mythology.
I highly recommend.
I highly recommend.
These are stories from ancient Celtic culture, but revamped for a modern audience of readers. I loved the stories - some of which I’d already heard of, The Salmon of Knowledge, The Children of Lir, and I loved reading about the legend of the Selkie and the misunderstanding of Fairies.
The writing was beautiful and poetic, very touching, I really enjoyed it.
The shorts conclude with a short section about writing competitions, and a whole heap of reviews and testimonials which I found rather tiresom ...more
The writing was beautiful and poetic, very touching, I really enjoyed it.
The shorts conclude with a short section about writing competitions, and a whole heap of reviews and testimonials which I found rather tiresom ...more
Apr 04, 2018
selene
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who love Irish mythology and the Fae
This was a beautiful short story collection. I was pleasantly surprised about this short story collection because it was completely free as an e-book in Barnes & Noble so please go and read it!
This contains five short stories (title,author,:myth) after each story Brian O' Sullivan provides a little summary of the myth that inspired the story.
1. Hawthorne Close by Sighle Meehan : The Faeries
2. A Mainland Mansie Meur by Sheelagh Rusell-Brown : The Selkie
3. In a Small Pond by Marc McEntegart : The ...more
This contains five short stories (title,author,:myth) after each story Brian O' Sullivan provides a little summary of the myth that inspired the story.
1. Hawthorne Close by Sighle Meehan : The Faeries
2. A Mainland Mansie Meur by Sheelagh Rusell-Brown : The Selkie
3. In a Small Pond by Marc McEntegart : The ...more
The first 30% of this book was fantastic - and worthy of 4.5 stars. Sadly the remaining 70% (minus an interesting bit about the writing competition) was all self-promotion and other books from the author. Had the entire book been what the first 30% was this would have been a much higher rating.
If I wanted adverts, I’d look on a publishers website, and if I wanted to read an extract - I’d find one elsewhere!
That said, it’s tickled my interest in mythology - so I will certainly be looking for alte ...more
If I wanted adverts, I’d look on a publishers website, and if I wanted to read an extract - I’d find one elsewhere!
That said, it’s tickled my interest in mythology - so I will certainly be looking for alte ...more
Personal Opinion
'Hawthorne Close' by Sighle Meehan 2☆
'A Mainland Mansie Meur' by Sheelagh Russell-Brown 4☆
'In a Small Pond' by Marc McEntegart 3☆
'Lir' by Coral Atkinson 3☆
'Transit Hours' by Marie Gethins 2☆
Due to valuable 'Mythological Context' provided by Brian O’Sullivan after each story this books gets 4☆ from myself.
'Extract from FIONN: Defence of Ráth Bládhma' not accounted in rate
'Hawthorne Close' by Sighle Meehan 2☆
'A Mainland Mansie Meur' by Sheelagh Russell-Brown 4☆
'In a Small Pond' by Marc McEntegart 3☆
'Lir' by Coral Atkinson 3☆
'Transit Hours' by Marie Gethins 2☆
Due to valuable 'Mythological Context' provided by Brian O’Sullivan after each story this books gets 4☆ from myself.
'Extract from FIONN: Defence of Ráth Bládhma' not accounted in rate
"Irish Imbas: Celtic Mythology Collections Book 1" is half folklore, half history. The author tells the tales of ancient Celts while remaining true to the original flavours. Each story is accompanied by an explanation or description of how the story came to be, how it was passed down through generations and cultures, and how important the origins are to the story.
It was interesting to me to discover the origins of these lost classics.
It was interesting to me to discover the origins of these lost classics.
This book offers several short stories firmly based in old Irish myth and legend, with all the wonder and none of the gooey Celtic Twilight. Good stuff! But there's more! Each story is accompanied by a very short essay which provides the context that we modern non-Irish folk would not know Very well done.
Don't judge this book by its cover. This is a marvelous collection of Irish folk tales grounded in contemporary life, giving the reader an experience akin to that of the ancestors who heard them so long ago. Very well-written and highly engaging, with notes on context accompanying each story that help to better understand the significance of the lore.
Folk lore
Good overview of Celtic folklore with historical explanations provided. Not for the Casual reader, this book includes extensive historical information mixed with folk lore.
Good overview of Celtic folklore with historical explanations provided. Not for the Casual reader, this book includes extensive historical information mixed with folk lore.
Short, modern folk tales
Well-written and interesting if you want to dip your toe into Celtic myth. This is a great read. Highly recommend.
Well-written and interesting if you want to dip your toe into Celtic myth. This is a great read. Highly recommend.
Entertaining.
intriguing collection of shorts
a brief exploration of Celtic mythology that introduces a few central stories and concepts to its audience in the form of short tales
a brief exploration of Celtic mythology that introduces a few central stories and concepts to its audience in the form of short tales
I expected it to be based on older myths - but it gave a modern twist to the old myths
Loved the first section and the last, the middle bothered me.
Not just your usual mythology book
This is actually a collection of short stories inspired by Celtic folklore, written by contemporary Celtic authors. Brian O'Sullivan goes to "clarify" its mythological roots and also demystify the mutation that the original myths and beliefs went through over the centuries. I loved the twists and changes of perspective in the modern stories. Definitely would recommend to readers with any kind of genre affiliation.
This is actually a collection of short stories inspired by Celtic folklore, written by contemporary Celtic authors. Brian O'Sullivan goes to "clarify" its mythological roots and also demystify the mutation that the original myths and beliefs went through over the centuries. I loved the twists and changes of perspective in the modern stories. Definitely would recommend to readers with any kind of genre affiliation.
A nice mixture of fiction and on-fiction. The book was shorter than I'd expected but still packed an emotional and intellectual wallop.
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Brian O'Sullivan was born in county Cork, Ireland. On completing a degree at University College Cork, he went on to travel extensively. He is now based in New Zealand with his family but returns to Ireland on a regular basis.
Brian writes fiction that incorporates strong elements of Irish culture, language, history and mythology. These include literary short stories (The Irish Muse collection), my ...more
Brian writes fiction that incorporates strong elements of Irish culture, language, history and mythology. These include literary short stories (The Irish Muse collection), my ...more
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