Early Irish Myths and Sagas
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Book Overview
First written down in the eighth century AD, these early Irish stories depict a far older world--part myth, part legend and part history. Rich with magic and achingly beautiful, they speak of a land of heroic battles, intense love and warrior ideals, in which the otherworld is explored and men mingle freely with the gods. From the vivid adventures of the great Celtic hero Cu Chulaind, to the stunning "Exile of the Sons of Uisliu"--a tale of treachery, honour and romance--these are masterpieces of passion and vitality, and form the foundation for the Irish literary tradition: a mythic legacy that was a powerful influence on the work of Yeats, Synge and Joyce. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:B005WZ0RHE
ISBN13:9780140443974
Release Date:March 1982
Publisher:Penguin Classics
Length:288 Pages
Weight:0.43 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 5.1" x 7.8"
Age Range:18 years and up
Grade Range:Postsecondary and higher
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
Irish Myths and Sagas
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
A nice collection of all the old Irish myths and ballads, especially those of Chu Chulainn and his various heroic exploits. Gives an intriguing glimpse into the culture and times of the pre-Roman, pre-Christian Irish Gaelic people.
satified
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
I needed this book for an adult ed course. Opened a new door in literature
Best of its kind for its size
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
There are a lot of books out there that contain sections and retellings of early Irish myths. Most of them are more expensive and have far less material in them. This is a very good collection at an excellent price and is a great place to start for folks who are newly interested in the field. Gantz is a well-respected scholar and the pieces and translations chosen are very good for giving you a feel of the variety of material out there.
An excellent choice for anyone interested in mythology.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Early Irish Myths and Sagas is a collection of stories revolving around a time in Ireland's history known as the Ulster Cycle. The Ulster Cycle produced many grand adventures involving heroes, giants, contests, courting and great battles. The narrations follow the lives of the Ancient Celts, who were a warrior class society, similar to that of the one in Beowulf. The collection of myths found in Early Irish Myths and Sagas, hold themes that are commonly found in other mythological texts from other cultures. Many parallels can be drawn between a character named Cu Chulaind (whom appears in many of the stories) and Hercules of the Greek tradition. The stories found in this collection are the kind that set the guidelines for modern fantasy and fiction writers today. This book is a must for anyone interested in books about: mythology, warrior based society, ancient Celts(ancestors to the Scottish Highlanders), or interesting battle tactics.
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