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Title: Early Irish Myths and Sagas (Penguin Classics)
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Author: Jeffrey Gantz
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Review of Early Irish Myths and Sagas (Penguin Classics)

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Comments for Early Irish Myths and Sagas (Penguin Classics)

• Posted on 2008-02-20
  Irish Myths and Sagas
  
  A nice collection of all the old Irish myths and ballads, especially those of Chu Chulainn and his various heroic exploits. Gives an intriguing glimpse into the culture and times of the pre-Roman, pre-Christian Irish Gaelic people.
  
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• Posted on 2008-01-21
  satified
  
  I needed this book for an adult ed course. Opened a new door in literature
  
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• Posted on 2007-11-15
  Best of its kind for its size
  
  There are a lot of books out there that contain sections and retellings of early Irish myths. Most of them are more expensive and have far less material in them. This is a very good collection at an excellent price and is a great place to start for folks who are newly interested in the field. Gantz is a well-respected scholar and the pieces and translations chosen are very good for giving you a feel of the variety of material out there.
  
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• Posted on 2007-03-09
  Yeats' Inspiration
  
  The flood of mythically inspired movies in the last few years highlights the fact that the best new stories are the old ones. And like most movies, their books are better. Gantz provides a useful preamble to each section, which is vital for newcomers. We've literally lost our imaginations and need a tutor to remind us that the people we're reading about could be gods, too. The description of Etain (page 62?) is breathtaking. Caution: The guide to pronunciation is woefully inadequate and detracts from an otherwise pleasant diversion. On to Yeats!
  
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• Posted on 2005-12-18
  good book for the Celtic scholar
  
  Most mythology collections do not contain word for word translations of the myths, instead choosing to let the author retell them. Gantz' book, however, is a direct translation (making changes only where necessary) and many readers might be put off by the form in which these tales have come down to us. Accustomed to more linear storytelling, some readers might have difficulty following. However, for the serious scholar, this book is very important as it gives the student a chance to see what was actually written in the Book of the Dun Cow, etc., references we surely know by name from other mythology introductions. If you do pick up this book, be prepared to concentrate perhaps more than you are used to and you will be well rewarded.
  
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