Sept, 2023 Group Read --The Mabinogion

[Werner]

For this year's annual group read, group members have the option of reading both or one of two books, this one and/or Jamaica Inn! Although we won't actually start our reads/discussions until Sept. 1, that might be a busy day for me; so I thought it might not be a bad idea to get the discussion threads up and ready now, so that we'll be set when the time comes. I'm planning to join in the read of this book myself, and looking forward to it!

Composed by an unknown author sometime in the late 11th or 12th century (though the two surviving complete manuscripts date from the 14th century), but drawing on much older oral traditions, the eleven tales collected in The Mabinogion constitute the major work of medieval Welsh-language literature. From what I've read, they also provide the major original source for modern knowledge of Celtic mythology (much as the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda do for Scandinavian mythology).

Note: there are multiple English translations of this work! For purposes of this read, you can read any translation you want to, or find conveniently accessible.

[Rosemarie]

I've started this early because my husband and I are going on a holiday trip soon.
This is the edition I'm reading: The Mabinogion.
It's translated by Jeffrey Gantz and it's very readable.

[Gia]

I've requested an inter-library loan on The Mabinogion, as my own library system doesn't have it. Fingers crossed they will be able to loan it to me and let me know soon. If not, I'll go another route :)

[Werner]

The Mabinogion was already known to British scholars in the 18th century; but the first translation of the whole composition, by Lady Charlotte Guest, wasn't completed until 1845. The one I'm reading is by two academics at the University College of Wales, Gwyn and Thomas Jones, first published in 1948 but revised in 1974. (That revised edition is part of the "Everyman's Library" imprint published in the U.S. by Dutton.) It has over 32 pages of introductory matter by Gwyn Jones; but to avoid potential spoilers, I'm not going to read this in its entirety until I've finished reading the text itself.

[Rosemarie]

Good idea, Werner. A couple of the stories were confusing at first, but fine once you got used to the style.
One or two stories has pages long lists of knights! Like the "begats" in the Bible.

[Katherine]

Werner wrote: "The Mabinogion was already known to British scholars in the 18th century; but the first translation of the whole composition, by Lady Charlotte Guest, wasn't completed until 1845."
The original translation by Lady Charlotte Guest is available as a free ebook from Project Gutenberg.
I'm considering reading that one for now. and then check out a later vershion in the future. I often like to read multiple translations/versions of ancient texts. and the old fashion diction of the Lady Charlotte vershion appeals to me :)

[Jazzy]

I'm reading this edition
The Mabinogion Translated by Sioned Davies
It comes with an introduction and notes

[Werner]

Well, I gave this read an honest try, but I'm bailing out after 44 pages in. This note explains why: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... .

[Gia]

Werner, good try! I'm glad you stopped reading a book that was not enjoyable. My inter-library loan request for this book has not come through yet, and if the outcome is that it's unavailable, I'll just let it drop and know that I tried too! Thanks for the head's up! :)

[Rosemarie]

Werner, the last half of the book is a lot better than the first half. If you feel up to reading one more, I suggest the story of Geraint and Enid, an Arthurian story.

[Jazzy]

Librivox has an audiobook if that's any help! Martin Geeson reads it and he's an excellent reader - a proper performer

[Werner]

You're welcome, Gia! Rosemarie, thanks for the tip; and thanks for the heads-up about the audiobook, Jazzy. Audiobooks don't really work for me (It's too hard to concentrate on listening when I'm doing something else at the same time, for one thing!), but I'm sure the Librivox version will be a boon to audiobook readers. I'll keep the Geraint and Enid story in mind for a possible re-visit sometime. Right now, though, I've already gotten caught up in another book, so I'm committed to it for the present. :-)

[Gia]

@Jazzy Thank you for the great resource of Librivox! I didn't know about that, but I'll check it out. Looking forward to listening to Martin Geeson too. Thanks again!