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millie_yule's review against another edition
5.0
I went to great lengths (5 trips to the library) to find this edition of the Mabinogion after the one I was borrowing was no longer available. That is not a feat I would do for just any book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Four Branches, The Dream of Rhonabwy, and Gereint Son of Erbin the most. I especially enjoyed reading them out loud as it’s easier to get the rhythm of reading the way. The introduction by Gwyn Jones and Thomas Jones was also very interesting. Highly recommend this edition to anyone interested in Welsh literature and culture.
beatriz95's review
3.0
“So they took the blossoms of the oak, and the blossoms of the broom, and the blossoms of the meadow-sweet, and produced from them a maiden, the fairest and most graceful that man ever saw. And they baptized her, and gave her the name of Blodeuwedd.”
“And then Gwalchmai said, ‘No one should distract an ordained knight from his thoughts in a discourteous way, for perhaps he has either suffered a loss or he is thinking about the woman he loves best.”
Read for Magical Readathon
Subject: Transfiguration
“And then Gwalchmai said, ‘No one should distract an ordained knight from his thoughts in a discourteous way, for perhaps he has either suffered a loss or he is thinking about the woman he loves best.”
Read for Magical Readathon
Subject: Transfiguration
shadowmaster13's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
jennykeery's review against another edition
4.0
The Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh myths and legends, some of which involve King Arthur. The translation I read was written by Lady Charlotte Guest in 1812. I picked this up because I bought a modern retelling and wanted to understand the references, and I ended up really enjoying it! There's some seriously baffling justice in here though - one woman's husband is killed and the murderer is asked to do right by her and marry her himself (presumably so she doesn't starve to death having lost her husband's income). I'm very glad I don't live in the past.
lleullawgyffes's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
indigo78180's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
I had fun with all the strange and wonderous adventures in the Mabinogion! The names were hard to keep track of for me, but it was cool to see some precursors to Malory's Le Morte and Tennyson's Idylls of the King.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
3.0
I've read previously Charlotte Guest's edition (which, dating back to the early 19th century, excised various more "explicit" scenes), Gantz's edition (which is truer to the original Welsh, albeit a bit dated, since it's from the 1970s), and now Sioned Davies's edition, from 2008, which is my favourite by a long shot.
Davies includes footnotes, a lengthy introduction including both historical context and content analysis, and appendices; she's a scholar who knows her field well, and it shows. The language is reminiscent of the original Welsh, specifically in regards to rhythm and syntax, as well as the choice to use Welsh names rather than their English equivalents. Davies's edition reads like a performance, which is delightful.
Davies includes footnotes, a lengthy introduction including both historical context and content analysis, and appendices; she's a scholar who knows her field well, and it shows. The language is reminiscent of the original Welsh, specifically in regards to rhythm and syntax, as well as the choice to use Welsh names rather than their English equivalents. Davies's edition reads like a performance, which is delightful.
lukerik's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
ultimatecryptid's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Beautiful collection of tales, with incredibly informative annotations.