Reincarnations

by James Stephens

Reincarnations is a book written by James Stephens that explores the concept of reincarnation. The book is a collection of short stories and poems that delve into the idea of rebirth and the cyclical nature of life. Each story and poem is unique, but they all share a common theme of reincarnation and the interconnectedness of all living beings. The book is divided into three ""The First Reincarnation"", ""The Second Reincarnation"", and ""The Third Reincarnation"". Each section explores a different aspect of reincarnation, from the perspective of different characters and creatures. The stories and poems are beautifully written and offer a thought-provoking look at the mysteries of life and death. Reincarnations is a must-read for anyone interested in spirituality, philosophy, or the mysteries of the universe.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

76 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2004

About the author

James Stephens was an Irish novelist and poet. James' mother worked in the home of the Collins family of Dublin and was adopted by them. He attended school with his adopted brothers Thomas and Richard (Tom and Dick) before graduating as a solicitor's clerk. They competed and won several athletic competitions despite James' slight stature (he stood 4'10" in his socks). He was known affectionately as 'Tiny Tim'. He was much enthralled by tales of military valour of his adoptive family and would have been a soldier except for his height. By the early 1900s James was increasingly inclined to socialism and the Irish language (he could speak and write Irish) and by 1912 was a dedicated Irish Republican. He was a close friend of the 1916 leader Thomas MacDonagh, who was then editor of "The Irish Review", manager of the Irish Theatre and deputy headmaster in St Enda's, the radical bilingual Montessori school run by PH Pearse, and spent most with MacDonagh in 1911. His growing nationalism brought a schism with his adopted family.
James Stephens produced many retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales. His retellings are marked by a rare combination of humour and lyricism (Deirdre, and Irish Fairy Tales are often especially praised). He also wrote several original novels (Crock of Gold, Etched in Moonlight, Demi-Gods) based loosely on Irish fairy tales. "Crock of Gold," in particular, achieved enduring popularity and was reprinted frequently throughout the author's lifetime.
Stephens began his career as a poet with the tutelage of "Æ" (George William Russell). His first book of poems, "Insurrections," was published in 1909. His last book, "Kings and the Moon" (1938), was also a volume of verse.
During the 1930s, Stephens had some acquaintance with James Joyce, who mistakenly believed that they shared a birthday. Joyce, who was concerned with his ability to finish what later became Finnegans Wake, proposed that Stephens assist him, with the authorship credited to JJ & S (James Joyce & Stephens, also a pun for the popular Irish whiskey made by John Jameson & Sons). The plan, however, was never implemented, as Joyce was able to complete the work on his own.
During the last decade of his life, Stephens found a new audience through a series of broadcasts on the BBC.

Reviews

[Max Nemtsov · Rating 5 out of 5]

«Перевоплощения» — как и заявлено названием, дань Стивенза тем ирландским поэтам, кого он переводил и у кого заимствовал — иногда по одной строчке — для своих фантазий и вариаций на тему Ерландии и ирландского мифоса. Их всех автор любит и всем благодарен, а такого чистого по этому намерения лирического высказывания редко у кого встретишь.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay collection if you are looking for poetry. Not sure why this is called reincarnations, it is actually Irish Prose, mostly it looks like about people. Some of the poems were good, but I was disappointed with others and since I was really expecting the book to be about reincarnation, I was double disappointed.

[Ed Dingo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope, Nothing to do with the title...

False advertising, I expected a brief discourse on reincarnation. Nope. Good thing it was cheap. Forewarned is fore-armed, folks. Be careful.