Product Description

The title "Mabinogi" refers to the first four stories in this collection of tales from Welsh tradition. They are best known as the "Four Branches of the Mabinogi," and comprise the tales of Pwyll, Branwen, Manawydan, and Math. The remaining stories also spring from the same tree, and together they form a collection that comprises the core of the ancient Welsh mythological cycle. They are also among the best the medieval Celtic literature has to offer. In the first thoroughly revised edition and translation of this world classic since Lady Charlotte Guest's famous Mabinogion went out of print, Mr. Ford has endeavoured to present a scholarly document in readable, modern English.Basing his criteria on the latest scholarship in myth, he includes only those stories that have remained unadulterated by the influence of the French Arthurian romances. These are, in addition to the "Four Branches," the tale of "Kulhwch and Olwen," which is rooted in the mythological origins of Arthur, seen here in his role of divine hunter in pursuit of the swine-god; "Lludd and Lleuelis," which reaches beyond its immediate Celtic sources into ancient Indo-European ideologies; and the long unavailable "Tale of Taliesin," which offers insights into Celtic concepts of the archetypal poet-seer and the acquisition of Divine Wisdom.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #839490 in Books
• Published on: 1992-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 205 pages

Review
"Ford is one of the most eminent Celtic scholars of our day, and any contribution he makes to the field of Welsh criticism and letters is welcome and is bound to be significant. The present translation is no exception."--"World Literature Today

Customer Reviews

Basic Text for Welsh Literature and Folklore/Mythic Studies
This is THE edition for the stories of Pwyll, Gwion Bach/Taliesin and Culwich and Olwen. The introduction and notes alone are worth the cover price. Translations are elegantly rendered, and Ford discusses the difficulties in explicating the history and meanings of the stories.

The definitive translation
This is a far better translation than Jeffrey Gantz' Penguin edition, with good notes and first rate introductions, both to the work as a whole and then to each of the tales. For non-Welsh speakers, the Ford edition will bring you far closer to the rich feel of the original Welsh. I grew up with "Lady Charlotte Guest's" version, but now prefer this one. Mae'n dysgedig iawn!