Rating: 4.5 of 5
Synopsis: “The traditional stories of Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales transport us to the fantastical world of Celtic folklore. Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the 16 stories in this compilation conjure forgotten realms and rare magical creatures in vivid prose. These timeless tales brim with wit and magic, and each one is brought to life with elegant silhouette art by Kate Forrester in this special illustrated edition.” (source)
My thoughts: The perfect gift for anyone who loves folklore and fairy tales!
Celtic Tales collects and “lightly” adapts 16 stories from four works* published in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The tales are organized into Tricksters, The Sea, Quests, and Romance.
“Selkies, wyverns, witches, and giants.
Perilous quests, true love, and animals that talk.“
Bold, vibrant illustrations introduce each story. (Have a look at a small sample on the illustrator’s website.) Nearly all of the stories were unfamiliar to me, but I’m relatively new to reading Celtic folklore. My favorite was “The Black Bull of Norroway,” which reminded me of an episode of The Storyteller.
Beautiful hardcover edition! I kept running my hand over the cover, feeling the raised knots, then the title — gorgeous.
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(Review cross-posted on LibraryThing and Goodreads.)
Received hardcover from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
*The Scottish Fairy Book, Wonder Tales of Ancient Wales, Folk Tales of Brittany, and Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry.