Customer Reviews

Women of the Celts

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was a surprise to me--I expected a book of mythology, and instead it was a book of psychological, sociological, and philosophical theory with Celtic mythological overtones. Its structure reminded me of Simone de Beauvoir's _The Second Sex_, a book which Markale quotes often. _Women of the Celts_ begins with a historical discourse on the role of women in ancient Celtic society, and then studies myths centered around female characters in a search for subconscious attitudes about women. Reading _The Second Sex_ may be helpful to understanding _Women of the Celts_; having read De Beauvoir's book first gives the reader a sense of "OK, I know where this is going."

Markale discusses the role of women in the various Celtic societies without generalizing or idealizing; he spends many pages on each of the Celtic lands, and focuses on specific legal codes that concerned women's rights and limitations. His studies reveal a people caught somewhere between equality and sexism; women still held nearly equal rights with men but were losing ground.

He then launches into several chapters of comparative mythology, seeking common archetypes that can be found in many Celtic stories, such as "The Submerged Princess", "The Great Queen", "Our Lady of the Night", "The Rebellion of the Flower-Daughter", and "The Lady of the Orchard." He draws parallels between the various stories and looks for the psychological undertones. The conclusion he finally draws is that men both desire and fear a deep union with a woman; and that this union leads to a true understanding of what is truly important in life. When a person is truly in love, the workaday world loses the meaning it formerly held.

In the third section of the book, Markale outlines his new vision for a more sexually equal society, based on some of the ideas held by the ancient Celts. His theory would take too long to explain here, but it is interesting and thought-provoking.

I give this book four stars for its scholarship, the interesting nature of the Celtic stories, and for the very thought-provoking social theories suggested at the end. I have only two gripes. (1)Markale can get very long-winded and "high-falutin" at times, leaving the reader wondering, "Where is he going with this?" (2)I think Markale may be overgenerous in his application of Freudian "Oedipal complex" theory. After a while, the reader also wonders, "Can every last Celtic myth really be about man's desire for sexual union with his mother?" But, in the end, the focus is not on incest, but on the union-in-love that returns the lover to a state of bliss and understanding.

I highly reccomend this book to anyone interested in Celtic History, gender issues, or feminism. The work is factually accurate and detailed (highly unusual for this newly popluar field) AS WELL AS entertaining and readable. For the Celtic enthusiast, I also reccomend Markale's other books..whether you are just beginning your journey to know the Celts or know a great deal on the subject, his books are excellent! ENJOY!!!!

In his study, Jean Markale did not give us here the usual accepted history, which makes the past suitable to our present by representing it in the male dominated perspective of our society, nor in the light of a judeo-christian ideology. The ancient Celtic culture is one of the few "natural" societies in which women and men had balanced statuses. Like in the ancient Sarmatian culture, Celtic women could be warriors,chieftains even, as so many tombs of both societies revealed. The ancient Goddess, the female Divine, was gradually pushed aside by the male gods, and eventually eliminated with the spread of the foreign christian religion. Yet, even in the medieval times, reminiscence of the women as they were in ancient times, are to be found in folk lores, in literature [think of the role of the women in the Arthurian cycle], and in paintings.
It's on this highly interesting journey that Jean Markale's book will take you. Be ready to walk off the beaten path. Be ready to meet the different and the radical "other", and to read this book that, unlike so many others, never gives in to ethnocentrism nor "gender centrism" for that matter (Jean Markale is a male scholar). You will learn about the women of the Celts, and whehther man or woman, you may learn a little bit more about who you are... or are not. [Note: I read the book in its original French version.}

Markale's work was originally written in his native French in the early 1970s and translated into English during the 1980s. His work benefits greatly from his European perspective - don't let the date of this work put you off, it remains a relevant text. His final chapters outlining requisite cultural and social changes to ensure greater equality for women have largely transpired since the time of his writing.

Markale provides an overview of several recurrent themes relating to women in Celtic mythology such as the 'maid in the orchard', the 'submerged princess' and the rebellious 'flower daughter'. His knowledge of the subject matter is extensive and his ideas are succinctly communicated. A few of his connections seem a bit stretched but on the whole he draws strong ties between different aspects of Celtic society, with particular relevance to social changes resulting from the conversion of the Celtic peoples to Christianity. The impact of Christianity on female liberty during the early middle ages is revealed as monumental.

This is a scholarly work but one readily accessible to the lay person. I heartily recommend it to students both of Celtic history and modern feminism.

I was very pleased with the prompt arrival of the book and its excellent condition. I will definitely consider ordering from these folks again.

The book seems to be complete on its informaiton.
And the purchase thta I made was in perfect conditions!

Markale gives you an excellent study of women in Celtic society, a comparitive study of female Celts in mythology and asks a lot of intriquing questions. Very easy reading, and full of interesting details. Very well researched.

Highly recommend.