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The Mabinogion

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Sioned Davies (Translator)

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Dec 15, 2022 J.C. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: wales

This Penguin Classic translated by Jeffrey Gantz (not the same illustration as pictured here) is the third translation of The Mabinogion I have read, and it’s by far the best. The title is misleading, stemming from Lady Charlotte Guest’s use of it in her nineteenth century translation, but it’s now ”established and convenient”. In his introduction Gantz explains the misuse in detail.

The collection comprises eleven medieval Welsh folk tales, or, as I think of them, fragments, transcribed orally d ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Feb 02, 2021 hawk rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: europe, myth-legend-folklore-fable, wales-welsh, reviewed, celtic, favourites, history, y-mabinogi, giants

i found this translation one of the more accessible i've tried, which was really welcome. the explanatory notes are really useful and interesting too.
the Mabinogion itself is a classic, important and inspiring collection of Celtic/Welsh tales that encompass history, custom, landscape, language, mythology, magic and more! ...more

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Mar 25, 2009 Sam rated it it was amazing

Shelves: proper-books, shorts, wales, myth-and-magic

Having always enjoyed the old English Arthurian tales, I was greatly excited when I saw this in my local bookstore and managed to get through it in two days. The tales are beautifully written and although at first blush they appear completely separate the heros/heroines and villians bring each of the stories together. The tales deal with all aspects of human nature from the good to the bad via the ugly and blur the boundary between history and legend.

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