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Meeting the Other Crowd: The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland by Carolyn Eve Green, Eddie Lenihan
compassrose's review
An anthology of stories collected by Lenihan from Irish elders and traditional storytellers, primarily in the southwest of Ireland, concerning fairy beliefs and encounters. Divided into three themed sections (who they are and what they want, fairy places, and fairy gifts and punishments), with each story glossed by Lenihan with the possible significance and plausibility of the encounter (although since he fully believes, or claims to, he doesn't strike me as an objective witness!). He also provides a sentimental introduction about how we're losing all the old ways thanks to highways and cellphones and electric lights. The eye dialect isn't my favourite, but the transcription/translation does certainly seem to preserve the individual diction of the storytellers (who are not, however, credited) --I noticed what seemed to be at least three recurring ones who were identifiable by particular turns of speech. The integration of Christian belief was particularly interesting to me, both the several stories in which fairies directed a hapless human to ask a priest or a dying person what their eventual fate would be under the Christian god, and the ones where it was clear that Christian priests had taken on the role of intermediary and magical banisher of fairy malice (which is also held by the uncanny Biddy Early in several tales, who was a 19th century seer and herbalist).
dfinnerty1798's review against another edition
5.0
How great it is to have a reserve of these stories that are becoming increasingly purged and forgotten in modern Ireland. I must admit, reading the stories doesn’t have the same effect as listening to Eddie speak them. But nonetheless, this is a book worth cherishing and passing on. In a world where nature is continually being disrespected and destroyed, a revival of traditional folklore could do no harm. Irish language and stories are inextricably linked to the land, and these stories are further evidence of that. It is hard not to wonder how many brilliant stories have been lost to time, but this collection maintains some of those which remain.
heather_foster's review against another edition
3.0
The stories were very interesting and the reader has a nice voice. However I almost gave up on it as the first hour of this book reads like an old person complaining how kids these days suck. It was pretty patronizing and annoying. I was beginning to think this was going to be a book complaining about others.
The first half of the stories were ok but the second half I found more interesting.
The first half of the stories were ok but the second half I found more interesting.
libraryraven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
tcgarback's review against another edition
2.0
⭐️ ⭐️
Personal Score: D
Critical Score: B-
I understand that I can’t hate this book because while I don’t believe in fairies this book just wants you so much to believe in fairies, or otherwise shames you. I can be respectful of this cultural belief. But one, the stubborn and shallow approach to argument here makes for a weak stance, and two, that unappealing stance takes away from my enjoyment of the stories.
There are only a handful of pieces in here, all the longest ones, that are well delivered. Take these, and I am thrilled. But as they’re placed in a sea of confusing anecdotes, repetitive morals, and bores, the overall collection appears weak and bloated.
Despite all this, Lenihan is doing vital work by preserving these stories, even if this is but a small snippet, and even if the presentation of those stories fosters a tiny audience. If it weren’t for the disposable commentaries and bitter, rambling introduction, these stories would have been framed in a more accessible light.
I’m looking forward to reading Lenihan’s other works, truly, as I expect they won’t be as preachy and repetitive as this collection.
Personal Score: D
Critical Score: B-
I understand that I can’t hate this book because while I don’t believe in fairies this book just wants you so much to believe in fairies, or otherwise shames you. I can be respectful of this cultural belief. But one, the stubborn and shallow approach to argument here makes for a weak stance, and two, that unappealing stance takes away from my enjoyment of the stories.
There are only a handful of pieces in here, all the longest ones, that are well delivered. Take these, and I am thrilled. But as they’re placed in a sea of confusing anecdotes, repetitive morals, and bores, the overall collection appears weak and bloated.
Despite all this, Lenihan is doing vital work by preserving these stories, even if this is but a small snippet, and even if the presentation of those stories fosters a tiny audience. If it weren’t for the disposable commentaries and bitter, rambling introduction, these stories would have been framed in a more accessible light.
I’m looking forward to reading Lenihan’s other works, truly, as I expect they won’t be as preachy and repetitive as this collection.