The Crock of Gold

Philosophical story featuring leprechauns, policemen and the Great God Pan. Funny, occasionally depressing and very thoughtful. The leprechaun story elements seem a little confused and some of the descriptive or philosophical passages can be a bit long. However i REALLY enjoyed this one and tore through it very quickly.

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.

An absolute gem of a book. Philosophers, ancient gods, leprechauns, comic policemen.Whimsy, humour and nonsense. All are in here and so much more. This may be very profound or teeming with nonsense and sly digs at " Irishness" but whatever else it is, or is'nt , it is one of my favourite books of all time.

Some quotes:
..., for hunger and love and curiosity are the great impelling forces of life. [p. 7]

To understand the theory which underlies all things is not sufficient. Theory is but the preparation for practice. It has occurred to me, brother, that wisdom may not be the end of everything. Goodness and kindliness are, perhaps, beyond wisdom. Is it not possible that the ultimate end is gaiety and music and a dance of joy? Wisdom is the oldest of all things. Wisdom is the head and no heart. [p. 12]

A thought is a real thing and words are only its raiment, but a thought is as shy as a virgin; unless it is fittingly appareled we may not look on its shadowy nakedness; .... [p. 39]

Wisdom is righteous and clean, but Love is unclean and holy. [p. show more 45]

The duty of life is the sacrifice of self: it is to renounce the little ego that the mighty ego may be freed; and knowing this, she found at last that she knew Happiness, that divine discontent which cannot rest nor be at ease until its bourne is attained and the knowledge of a man is added to the gaiety of a child. Angus had told her that beyond this there lay the great ecstasy which is Love and God and the beginning and the end of all things; for everything must come from the Liberty into the Bondage, that it may return again to the Liberty comprehending all things and fitted for that fiery enjoyment. This cannot be until there are no more fools living, for until the last fool has grown wise wisdom will totter and freedom will still be invisible. Growth is no by years but by multitudes, and until there is a common eye no one person can see God, for the eye of all nature will scarcely be great enough to look upon that majesty. We shall greet Happiness by multitudes, but we can only greet Him by starry systems and a universal love. [p. 221] show less

Stephens novel, based heavily on Irish folklore, is very good, though his writing style can get a little wearing after a while.

A classic about magic and how it can haunt us like a rainbow - remorselessly.

I couldn't say for sure if this was written for children or adults -- maybe both. The characters include leprachauns and policemen and philosophers, etc.