Mabon and the Guardians of Celtic Britain: Hero Myths in the Mabinogion (Paperback)

~ Caitlín Matthews (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Mabinogion is the source of some of the oldest myths of the Celtic tradition. Though no actual text of the stories is included in this volume, Matthews, cofounder of the Foundation for Inspirational and Oracular Studies and author of 36 books, offers a companion to help elucidate the mythology. After a lengthy introduction discussing the Welsh storytelling tradition, she introduces each of the four branches of the Mabinogion. Each chapter begins with a synopsis of the story and is followed by detailed commentary on specific aspects. A third section extrapolates further, showing connections with other mythologies from Greek and Roman to Irish and British Arthurian traditions. Graphs and charts help to keep the complicated relationships and patterns of action in perspective. Unfortunately, the author assumes considerable knowledge on the part of the reader. Superscripts appear throughout the text, but they are merely references to numbered sources in the bibliography. Recommended for libraries that support strong folk studies collections.
Katherine Kaigler-Koenig, Ellis Sch., Pittsburgh
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Recommended for libraries that support strong folk studies collections. -- Katherine Kaigler-Koenig, Library Journal, September 1, 2002

The Mabinogion is one of the great treasure troves of our Western spiritual heritage. -- Philip Carr-Gomm, Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids and author of Druidcraft and Druid Mysteries

This book is an indispensable guide to indigenous Celtic literature and myth. -- Ari Berk, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mythology and Folklore, Central Michigan University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Inner Traditions; 2 edition (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892819200
• ISBN-13: 978-0892819201
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #901,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Further Discussion of the Mabinogian, December 14, 2002

By	Boudica (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This book is a re-release of "Mabon and the Mysteries of Britain", first published in 1987, which is now out of print. The author has revised and updated this new version.

We are mostly familiar with the stories and heroes of the Mabinogian. The stories are of Welsh origin. They are the stories of knights and ladies which have entertained us for many generations.

Ms. Matthews is a researcher into the Arthurian legends, Celtic traditions and has published many books in this vein. This is the first of her books that I have read, and I found it interesting as I am familiar with the Mabinogian.

The start of the book delves into Welsh pronunciation, in order to help the reader sound out some of the names from the book. There is also a section on Welsh story telling, helping the reader understand where and how these stories came about. Ms. Matthews then disassembles the stories of the Mabinogian for the reader, discussing the imagery, the language and the suggested meanings of the different parts of the story. She does a splendid job of making this easy for the reader to understand, and based on her research gives interesting insights into some possibilities of the inner meanings of the material that may have eluded the reader.

She also includes family trees, story progressions and various translations in order to help the reader come to a fuller understanding of what these stories represent. There is also a very complete bibliography in the back of the book as well as the book being indexed.

All in all, this is a fine book to explore the Mabinogian with, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to better understand some these wonderful stories. This would benefit the beginner as well as provide good discussion material for those who are familiar with the material presented here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent research- but requires dedication, August 10, 2006

By	Stacey L. Simmons "epona girl" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is nicely written and expertly researched, but without reading as a companion to the Mabinogion it gets a little hard to read. The author warns you of this in the beginning, so the responsibility is with the reader. It is wonderfully done, with excellent insights.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Key to the Men's Mysteries of Celtic Tradition, December 11, 2002

By	"morgaine_of_avalon" (NY United States) - See all my reviews

Celtic scholars and neopagans will find this a useful book - but those dedicated to reclaiming the ways of our ancient Celtic ancestors will find it an invaluable key to The Matter of Britain as it was known in the time before Arthur. Profound, revelatory, impeccably researched, "Mabon" and "Reclaiming the Gods" by Nicholas Mann are perhaps the two most important books on the ANCIENT Celtic masculine mysteries ever to be published.