The Mabinogion

Book cover of The Mabinogion

Book description

'I cannot be killed indoors,' he said, 'nor out of doors; I cannot be killed on horseback, nor on foot.' 'Well,' she said, 'how can you be killed?'

Celtic mythology, Arthurian romance, and an intriguing interpretation of British history - these are just some of the themes embraced by the…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked The Mabinogion as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Helen Fulton

Author

I first read the tales of The Mabinogion when I was an undergraduate and their amazing otherness helped to propel me towards a career researching medieval Welsh literature.

These prose tales were composed in Welsh between 1100 and 1300. Four of the tales are linked together and are known as ‘The Four Branches of the Mabinogi’. Other tales include two original Arthurian stories, a dream vision set in the Roman British past, and three tales based on the French Arthurian romances of Chrétien de Troyes.

In this rich mixture of genres, otherworldly women marry heroic men, warfare between Wales…

From Helen's list on Wales and Welsh culture.

Luke Eastwood

Author

A new translation done that has been widely praised for both accuracy and an engaging style in modern English.

This Welsh collection of stories contains the earliest written Arthurian text. This is a key part of early Welsh literature and gives an insight into the stories and legends of the Brythonic people in the times around and before the Saxons took over most of Britain.

This is essential reading, for anyone interested in Welsh mythology or Arthurian legends.

From Luke's list on Celtic Mythology and Folkore.