Шотландски вълшебни легенди

by Donald A. Mackenzie, Доналд А. Макензи

Отворете тази книга и се потопете във вълшебството на митовете и легендите от зелените земи на Шотландия.

Те пресъздават атмосферата на древните времена и старите традиции на тази страна и ще ви поведат на едно пътуване през магически земи и сапфирени морски дълбини, с безброй мистични създания, които омайват и очароват пътника.

Запознайте се с Бийра, Кралицата на зимата и фучащите ветрове, която създала езерата и планините.

Последвайте Брида, Господарката на летния растеж, която ще ви поведе през разцъфналите поляни, окъпани от светлина и носещи послания за надежда и изобилие след мрачната зима. Пред вас ще се изправи и Ангъс, който живее на Зеления остров и никога не остарява.

По време на пътуването ви през вълшебните земи на Шотландия ваши спътници ще бъдат магическите същества, които населяват тези места. Ще се запознаете с Девата на вълните, с Финли и великаните, с Конъл и Вещицата на бурите. Русалки ще ви примамват със сладките си песни, за да ви отведат в Приказната страна на дъното на морето. Елфи, феи и могъщи магьосници ще бъдат с вас, за да ви закрилят и насочват по време на очарователното пътешествие през планините и зелените равнини, буйните реки и потоци, островите и морските брегове на приказна Шотландия.

Genres: Scotland, Mythology, Fiction, Folklore, Witchcraft, Classics, Research

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1886

About the author

Donald Alexander Mackenzie was a Scottish journalist and folklorist and a prolific writer on religion, mythology and anthropology in the early 20th century.

Reviews

[Virginia Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasure readers and researchers, whether novice or experienced, will appreciate Pitt’s attentive sectioning of judicial records, careful referencing to other books that discuss witchcraft and punishment, and a detailed narrative of the Guille-Allès library establishment. The e-book that I downloaded does not include pictures, but the description of torture and death sentences are not for the faint-of-heart. (You might find a print book with pictures. I did research for alternative book covers, and there was artwork.) I appreciate Pitts categorizing accused witch and wizard death numbers into geographical areas as well as time periods, specific to reigning monarchy. The death numbers for Guernsey as well as other countries are included: over 30,000 dead. Questions that I am still pondering after reading this book: 1) How many people were sentenced to death, so their possessions were acquired by the monarchy? “…their goods, chattles, and estates, if any exist, shall be forfeited to His Majesty” (Location No. 300). 2) How impartial is this author? The numbers for wizard deaths are not listed; rather, Pitts mentions that wizards are also killed. 3) How accurate are the numbers reported? Pitts references other texts and numerous judicial documents. It would seem logical that these numbers are low due to accessibility for surviving documents. Pitts published his text in 1886, and he is pulling statistics from texts that were written in the 1400s forward to early 1800s. 4) Why include such a lengthy section regarding the establishment of the Guille-Allès library? Granted, the texts Pitts mention are housed or supplied by this library, but Pitts historical overview of the library is about a fourth of the book.

I recommend this book to others who research this subject or enjoy learning about witchcraft history. This text provides both French and English judicial records for those who appreciate cross-cultural readings. I would also recommend this book to those who are interested in learning how libraries are created.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most traditional fairy tales, sexism is prevalent throughout (the hero "gets" the girl or "wins" the woman over and over).

It is interesting to read these old stories because they provide views into other pre-scientific understandings of the world than the ones presented in mainstream religions. Why does X happen? Because of fairies! Etc. The fact that these kinds of stories were believed as true in the past lends a lot of weight to the bizarreness that many religious myths are believed today. Why does X happen? Goddidit!

Old stories like this are what they are, and are best taken as just that. This volume did have its own specific issues though, with stories changing direction abruptly without explanation. I thought I was reading about a character, but suddenly its talking about something else entirely and that character is never mentioned again.

[Jody Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing about these stories is that they give us a peek into the minds and lives of the people who told them and lived by them. They had a view of the world so much more mysterious and magical than we're afforded today. They really do inspire wonder and spark the imagination. I really enjoyed it, I didn't want the book to end!

[Story Lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains enjoyable stories, and I've used it as a starting point myself, during research for my own work. It feels important to me to highlight the fact that not all the stories in this 1917 book are traditional tales from ancient times. The plot of the story The Coming of Angus and Bride draws heavily on elements from Mackenzie's own imagination, as far as I can see (a view based on many years of reading on the Cailleach). No other sources, that I have been able to find, link Angus (Aengus, a god of Irish myth) with the Cailleach or with Bride. The structure of the story (which again, is included in no other source) seems to have been crafted following the shape of a stereotypical European fairy-tale (a hero rescues a princess from a wicked witch). In Mackenzie's story, the Cailleach is cast in the role of wicked witch, Bride the princess and Angus the rescuing hero. The tale does include some strands of genuine folklore (that can be verified by cross-referencing other sources) but much of it seems to have been invented by Mackenzie himself. I very much value the imagination and the creation of new tales woven from old lore. And, in these times when more and more of us are inspired by the old lore, it is useful, I think, to discern the difference between authentic folklore and fiction inspired by folklore. I make this distinction in the hope that it might be helpful to others who are interested in the lore of the Cailleach.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reader beware. This is not a very dependable look at Scottish folk tales. The author appears to have mixed ideas from different stories and sources with flights of his own fancy. He doesn't even nod toward citing his sources. Several "stories" which appear in this book do not appear in any serious folklore collections from Scotland, yet this book is frequently quoted by modern authors and bloggers as if it is a dependable source.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read them all, there are dozens and tend to have that same Aesop's Fable moral tale structure. Enjoyable to dabble in and evoke thoughts of the Bard in the Longhouse. To hear such tales told, visit www.mapofstories.scot

[Thea Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scots wa haw

I loved these tales. My mother was Scottish and I recognize parts of the stories she told me as a child. I could hear them all day.

[Kim Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Really want to read more scottish books this year but i felt that this one was a chore to get through.

[Laura Knaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little dull, but I just wanted to read up on the legends and lore before we go to Scotland in the fall.

[Joyfulls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of excess punctuation, but had some good stories in it.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the parts on witchcraft very very interesting. This is one of my favourite areas of history and I thought it was well researched with some interesting and valid opinions that I hadn't thought about before; namely that the use of narcotics by men on the women fits in so perfectly with the women's 'confessions'. It's just a shame there wasn't more. The French parts were a bit annoying to skip through, and a bulk of the book was about the foundation of libraries in Guernsey which I found very dull and a bit irrelevant given the title of the book. But it's definitely sparked my interest and I'd like to read something a bit more substantial on the topic.

[(shan) Littlebookcove · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written many many years Ago, Some of it is about the horrific accounts of the women and village women that suffered over the infamous “Witch trials and witch hunts” Now days we know it was all over a cheap shot for men to line there pockets and the one god religion’s to do away with the “Old ways” Most of them didn't like the fact a woman could be more powerful in in control Then them at that time.

This gives harrowing account of how women and men were... Put to that horrific question just because they didn't attend service. Or for something as petty as giving your neighbours a wrong look I found this book so sad and strange..

[Kitty Red-Eye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s quite interesting to see how rational the 1800s already were. Also some gory details about one execution which were compared to a near-identical one in Madagascar (Guernsey execution 1600s, Madagascar one 1800s), details being basically the same, so the story rendered «reliable». A little ghastly, but I like the rational approach and critical questioning. Chilling to read how bloody stupid the superstitions that could Get anyone killed, were. Especially chilling when you know that basically the same superstitions are alive and kicking today.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a simple compilation of Scottish folklore. I found it enjoyable enough, especially with the added narration. Jack Chekijian has the perfect accent for narrating this work, although it probably wouldn't have killed him to sound a bit less monotonous.
There wasn't any analysis of the stories, which I hadn't been expecting based on the publisher's summary, but if that's what you're looking for this book might not be for you.

[Michael McCue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found Witchcraft and Devil Lore in the Channel Islands on the Gutenberg Project site. I was looking for something I could print for the inmates who were Wiccan and Odinist at High Desert State Prison. I read it because I wanted to see what I was giving the prisoners. Sad how badly some simple and poor people were treated by authorities. If they had not been so poor they would not have been treated so badly.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did enjoy some of the stories in this book, but the format of the stories was just odd. Some stories flowed right from one to another; and some did not really flow well and were mashed together with no transition. The story I liked the best was also the longest, "The Land of the Green Mountian", which has the feel of a true fairy tale.

[Malcolm Forman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. As a man of Scottish heritage I was excited to find a book that talks about Scottish legends rather then Irish or Celt. The stories are interesting and show the thoughts and fears of these people in an entertaining way and is a great read for any Scot or person interested in Scottish myths and legends. I would love to find other similar books.

[Kirstie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked the few myths discussed in this volume, they seemed to be told in a very quick fashion, no lingering to relish details. It felt very much like an academic text (which I suppose it is ;p ).
A very quick read.

[Maz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thoroughly research about witchcraft in Guersney and Channel Island. Not so remarkable as spare-time reading book.

[Kass · Rating 3 out of 5]

A free read on the kindle, I thought it might be interesting. Well, it was quick but not thrilling. I don't know that I'd recommend it to anyone

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellently researched reports. Free on the kindle.

[Helder Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy interesante y todo real.
Una descripción bastante amplia de como cazaban y mataban a las brujas en las Islas Channel.

[Lauren Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just delightful, and with much to ponder.