The Crock of Gold (original 1912; edition 1931)

Quite a book! a gallimaufry of Blakean cosmography, Celtic Twilight theosophy, satirical use of mythology a la James Branch Cabell, and... I don't know what all. It's not what I'd call well-plotted, and sometimes the 'philosophical' disquisitions can get tangled or drag on... but it all works. It's funny, poignant, good natured... not to sound like a hack movie reviewer, it's 'delightful'. Makes me want to read more of this author. ( )

939 The Crock of Gold, by James Stephens (read 31 Dec 1967) This book was on a list of best books in I think the 20 years before the list came out. As was true of other books in that list, I was thoroughly bored by this book and was happy when I came to the last page. This I well remember now over 40 years later ( )

I still recall my father quoting the philosopher on the oatmeal
"Perfection is finality, finalty isdeath...there's lumps in it." ( )

One of the stories in The Big Golden Book of Elves and Fairies comes from this book. In identifying it and tracking it down, I learned that this is a very famous book by an author who James Joyce said was the only author he would trust to finish writing Finnegan's Wake if he should die before it was completed! I knew I had to give this one a try. At first, I didn't know what to make of the book. I wasn't sure if it was meant to be serious or humorous but by the third chapter I was laughing out loud. This most unusual book is light and dark by turns and, alas! the third chapter is the funniest one. Chapter 8 is my second favorite, it being the story in my other book. Much of the remainder devolved into philosophical stream-of-consciousness drivel. This book could have easily been titled Malarky, Blarney, or just plain Crock. Say, why are there so many words of Irish origin to describe verbal nonsense? ( )

This is the book I love the most, so it's the first one up on my shelf here. ( )