This is a much gentler book than its predecessor, and comes from the Third Branch of the Mabinogion. With Walton's ability to look into the personae of myth, she finds a theme within Manawyddan: that of the sole remaining brother who has served his elder brother, Bran all his life. And what is he to do now? It is a good theme for the middle years of one's life.

This is the homecoming that Mandawyddan has when he returns to his old haunts with Pryderi, and Pryderi convinces him to come home to Arbreth where his widowed mother, Rhiannon, lives quietly and alone. Of course there have been looks between Manawyddan and Rhiannon over the years, and as time together passes, and Pryderi and Kigva have their reunion, the older couple realizes they have much to learn from joining their lives together.

The bulk of this re-telling, and it is artfully done, is the seven years after the storm that passes over Arbreth and leaves all the humans and the castle devoid of life. The four main characters find themselves the only people in the land, and while they are certainly able to hunt and fish and they have shelter, they find it all a bit dull. So they set out for far away towns to make their livelihoods.

Again, Walton's storytelling ability takes the lines from the "Mabinogion" of how they lived during this time and creates dialogue, thoughts, actions, and brings both tension and story to this portion. Her details of day-to-day life, as well as the final culmination with the mice in the fields of wheat, are masterful and bring the story to life. ( )

My soft cover copy was printed in the 70s and has the most porntastic vibe to it. Continued good fantasy legend stuff from Evangeline Walton. I like her mind. ( )

Another captivating adaptation by Walton. She's bolder in this, the final branch. She adds her own take on Stonehenge and mixes some Irish folklore into the tale, creating a believable world out of the ancient Welsh mythology. ( )

Based on the Third Branch ( )

The third Branch deals with Manawydan, an unselfish man. He has troubles with his blended family and ends up trying to ransom the impulsive Pryderi. It succeeds, and they all live until the Fourth Branch blooms. Well written and a redaction rather than a translation.
I read it first in 1972. ( )