1wcarter
The Mabinogion - 1980
This is a collection of twelve Welsh folk tales dating from the end of the fourteenth century that were first published in English between 1838 and 1849 after being translated by Lady Charlotte Guest, who omitted many of the bawdier parts of the tales. These omissions have been reinstated by the editor Leslie Norris to make this the definitive complete version.
As always in ancient folk tales, there are heroes and heroines, battles, pride, challenges, witchcraft, magic and intrigue. Despite this, I found this a difficult book to read, reading a chapter or two every month or so for a year. The translation is 175 years old and the translated tales 650 years old.
The greatest charms of the book are the twelve chapter header and full page frontispiece wood engravings by Joan Freeman, which capture the mood of each tale. The tales vary in length from 37 to 6 pages, so you can start with a shorter one to get the feel of the stories. You can also read the first page or two of some stories in the pictures below.
The book has 268 pages and measures 23.6x15.2cm. in its pale grey slipcase. As well as acting as editor, Leslie Norris also wrote an eleven page introduction. It was one of the last Folio Society books to be printed letterpress.
The endpapers are an unidentified historic map of Wales with surrounding cartouches printed black on red. The page tops are stained red and the book is bound in coarse green cloth blocked with a design in orange and gold on the front cover and spine. The title runs from top to bottom on spine.
Laid in postcard/bookmark, found in all FS books of this era.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This is a collection of twelve Welsh folk tales dating from the end of the fourteenth century that were first published in English between 1838 and 1849 after being translated by Lady Charlotte Guest, who omitted many of the bawdier parts of the tales. These omissions have been reinstated by the editor Leslie Norris to make this the definitive complete version.
As always in ancient folk tales, there are heroes and heroines, battles, pride, challenges, witchcraft, magic and intrigue. Despite this, I found this a difficult book to read, reading a chapter or two every month or so for a year. The translation is 175 years old and the translated tales 650 years old.
The greatest charms of the book are the twelve chapter header and full page frontispiece wood engravings by Joan Freeman, which capture the mood of each tale. The tales vary in length from 37 to 6 pages, so you can start with a shorter one to get the feel of the stories. You can also read the first page or two of some stories in the pictures below.
The book has 268 pages and measures 23.6x15.2cm. in its pale grey slipcase. As well as acting as editor, Leslie Norris also wrote an eleven page introduction. It was one of the last Folio Society books to be printed letterpress.
The endpapers are an unidentified historic map of Wales with surrounding cartouches printed black on red. The page tops are stained red and the book is bound in coarse green cloth blocked with a design in orange and gold on the front cover and spine. The title runs from top to bottom on spine.
Laid in postcard/bookmark, found in all FS books of this era.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2BorisG
I have it and love the illustrations, but have had no success so far in actually reading it… kind of glad to hear that even an advanced reader like >1 wcarter: found it a challenge!
3cottonoverwood
Thank you. Your photography is excellent and has had me searching for my copy - a gem of an edition and perfectly illustrated.
4PartTimeBookAddict
I bought this book last year after reading Garner's "The Owl Service" and wanted to explore Welsh folklore further.
I have not picked it up yet. Thanks for the reminder.
I have not picked it up yet. Thanks for the reminder.
5betaraybill
I enjoyed The Mabinogion quite a bit when I read it once upon a time. I have an old Penguin Classics paperback edition, but I can’t swear as to the translator(s).
No offense intended whatsoever to owners of the Folio Society edition, but I don’t find it aesthetically pleasing in the least. Sorry to fans of it.
I like the Easton Press Alan Lee edition, but not the price.
No offense intended whatsoever to owners of the Folio Society edition, but I don’t find it aesthetically pleasing in the least. Sorry to fans of it.
I like the Easton Press Alan Lee edition, but not the price.
6SF-72
>5 betaraybill:
That edition was originally available from Harper Voyager and can still be found second hand at a much lower price than the one by Easton Press. No leather, but I think the content is the same (the page count is identical):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mabinogion-Alan-Lee/dp/0261103911/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE...
That edition was originally available from Harper Voyager and can still be found second hand at a much lower price than the one by Easton Press. No leather, but I think the content is the same (the page count is identical):
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mabinogion-Alan-Lee/dp/0261103911/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE...
7betaraybill
>6 SF-72: Thanks for that! I may go questing for it. :)
