Celtic Weird: Tales of Wicked Folklore and Dark Mythology (British Library Hardback Classics)
£12.70£15.20 (-16%)
Once I thought I glimpsed her high up in a bush, like dirty rags in a gale. Not that so far there has been any gale, or even any wind. The total silent stillness is one of the worst things. Yes, it is a battle with strong and unknown forces that I have on my hands.
From the shorelines, hills and towns of ancient lands, tales of twisted creatures, sins against nature and pagan revenants have been passed down from generation to generation. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, folklore from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man inspired a new strain of strange short stories, penned by writers of the weird and fantastic including masters of the form such as Arthur Machen, Edith Wharton and Robert Aickman.
In this volume, Johnny Mains dives into the archives to unearth a hoard of twenty-one enthralling tales imbued with elements of Celtic folklore, ranging from the 1820s to the 1980s and including three weird lost gems translated from Gaelic. Together they conjure uncanny visions of eternal forces, beings and traditions, resonating with the beguiling essence of this unique branch of strange fiction.
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by JOHN S.
It’s a really strong collection brilliantly edited by Johnny Mains, who’s knowledge and insight into Weird Fiction is hugely respected in the Horror community. He has anthologised many great Supernatural collections over the years, and this is the finest of them. It’s also a stunning book and for this price an absolute treat.
by Atters
This is a very entertaining selection of lesser known weird stories from the Celtic nations. Great to see the Breton stories! Some real obscurities here, alongside some classics. A beautifully packaged book too, lovely patterned boards.
by jgcf85
Brilliant collection of stories and gorgeously produced book. Highly recommend.
by Sandy Robertson
A very heavy, handsome gilt hardcover volume ably edited by the hardest working man in the horror business, Johnny Mains. The stories are divided into different geographical categories such as Scotland, Wales, Cornwall etcetera, and while there are several cult classics such as The Fetch by Robert Aickman and The Gift of Tongues by Arthur Machen, and work by A.L.Rowse and Count Stenbock, the book also includes multiple obscurities by authors even the dedicated weird literature fan is unlikely to have encountered previously.
One thing that cheered me is the fact that the British Library seem to have taken on board the feedback I know they have received about the absurd woke note in this series of books (see my review of The Night Wire volume) where they talk about making old stories available to current audiences. Now it simply retains the information that material was only edited for “style and sense” – but completely absent is the former contradictory statement that the tales are as “originally published” but with “pejorative” words that may offend “partially obscured”. Uncommon sense has prevailed.
Get plugged into the Mains and buy this.
by Loulamay
A stunning book from the British Library. Lots of the stories are unknown to me, which makes this book more of a delight to dig into. The Gaelic and Manx stories are a revelation.
by Illyrianth
Neatly available by region, this is a must-read for mythology lovers
by yvonne harris
Speedy delivery, beautiful cover , new to me folktales . Keeper for the book case