Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime & FREE Returns

FREE delivery: Thursday, April 8 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. Details

Fastest delivery: Monday, April 5
Order within 21 hrs and 1 min Details

In Stock.

Ships from	Amazon.com
Sold by	Amazon.com

Details

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon or get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime

FREE delivery: Thursday, April 8 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. Details

Fastest delivery: Monday, April 5
Order within 7 hrs and 46 mins Details

Used: Good | Details

Sold by smalltownbookshop

Fulfilled by Amazon

Other Sellers on Amazon

$18.40
+ Free Shipping

Sold by: TheWorldShop

$14.88
+ $3.99 shipping

Sold by: allnewbooks

Have one to sell?

Sell on Amazon

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 2 images

A Celtic Miscellany: Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics) Paperback – February 28, 1972

by Kenneth Hurlstone Jackson (Author)

23 ratings

See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Price

New from

Used from

Hardcover

"Please retry"

$51.95

—

Paperback

"Please retry"

$18.43

$13.27

$1.61

Enhance your purchase

Including works from Welsh, Irish and Scottish Gaelic, Cornish, Breton and Manx, this Celtic Miscellany offers a rich blend of poetry and prose from the eighth to the nineteenth century, and provides a unique insight into the minds and literature of the Celtic people. It is a literature dominated by a deep sense of wonder, wild inventiveness and a profound sense of the uncanny, in which the natural world and the power of the individual spirit are celebrated with astonishing imaginative force. Skifully arranged by theme, from the hero-tales of Cú Chulainn, Bardic poetry and elegies, to the sensitive and intimate writings of early Celtic Christianity, this anthology provides a fascinating insight into a deeply creative literary tradition.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Penguin Classics
Publication date

February 28, 1972
Dimensions

5.1 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches
ISBN-10

0140442472
ISBN-13

978-0140442472
See all details

Frequently bought together

Total price: $54.99

These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. Show details

Buy the selected items together

This item:A Celtic Miscellany: Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics) by Kenneth Hurlstone Jackson Paperback $18.43
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details
Marie de France: Poetry (First Edition) (Norton Critical Editions) by Marie de France Paperback $18.75
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details
Beowulf: A Verse Translation (Norton Critical Editions) by Daniel Donoghue Paperback $17.81
In stock.
Ships from and sold by Book Depository US.

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Ann Dooley
65
Paperback
$14.95
Robert Cook
140
Paperback
$13.83
Jeffrey Gantz
249
Paperback
$17.00
Thomas Kinsella
207
Paperback
$18.95
Alwyn Rees
50
Paperback
$29.95
Ciaran Carson
127
Paperback
$15.04

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Marie de France
34
Paperback
$18.75
Sioned Davies
500
Paperback
$12.55
Daniel Donoghue
159
Paperback
134 offers from $0.83
Thomas Kinsella
207
Paperback
$18.95
Jeffrey Gantz
249
Paperback
$17.00
Snorri Sturluson
1,027
Paperback
$16.20

Special offers and product promotions

Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kenneth Hurlstone Jackson (1909-1991) began his career as a lecturer in Celtic at Cambridge, before becoming the first chair of the Department of Celtic Language and Literature at Harvard. He undertook war service with the Uncommon Languages section of British censorship and subsequently held professorships at Harvard and Edinburgh.

Product details

Publisher : Penguin Classics; New Ed edition (February 28, 1972)
Language : English
Paperback : 352 pages
ISBN-10 : 0140442472
ISBN-13 : 978-0140442472
Item Weight : 8.8 ounces
Dimensions : 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #273,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #268 in Victorian Literary Criticism (Books)
- #336 in Renaissance Literary Criticism (Books)
- #543 in American Fiction Anthologies

Customer Reviews:
23 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		83%
4 star		17%
3 star 0% (0%)		0%
2 star 0% (0%)		0%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

How are ratings calculated?

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

A. Rawlinson

Most precious anthology

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is the third time I have bought this book. My life is happier and more fulfilled if I can lay my hand on it in odd moments and soak myself in the beautiful language of the Celts. Some of the pieces are so brief it takes but a few minutes to read them, and yet they stop your heart! This is a most precious anthology and I will never tire of reading and re-reading it and always finding something new that touches the pulse of my life and forever renews it.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

E. N. Anderson

A great collection

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2001

Verified Purchase

This has been one of my two or three very favorite books since it came out. I read from it almost every day. I think that anyone interested in poetry or literature or just in the human spirit should have it by their sides. It is a wonderful selection, beautifully translated. It brings out the two things I like best about Celtic literature: the intense, immediate sensitivity to nature, and the extreme importance given to individual men and women (as opposed to the great big abstractions, symbols, word games, etc., in so much of literature). The Celts seem to have remembered, more often than most people, that individual human beings matter.

15 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mrs Zizbag

Fascinating stories of pre-Roman Europe

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2014

Verified Purchase

A nicely translated collection of folk tales from the edges of Europe where the Celts were driven by invaders from the east. A fascinating read.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Andrew Dahlburg

Really Good!

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2014

Dipping into the pages of "A Celtic Miscellany" (1951) reminds one of the depth and breadth that was once the ancient Celtic world. The Celtic "empire" included Breton, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, and Manx (the isle of Man). Not bad for tribes passionate for wandering! "A Celtic Miscellany" does a remarkable job in some 300 pages in providing examples on heroic tales, nature, love, magic, religion and other topics. In so doing, you realize a one size fits all approach does not work when it comes to understanding the Celtic mind. This book is also thoughtfully set out. Each section has is introduced with critical comments which helps set the readings in context.

Whose heart cannot be warmed by the following image:

"I should like to have great ale-feast for the King of Kings; I should like the Heavenly Host to be drinking it for all eternity".

Now that's my kind of God-man!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Hakuyu

A wonderful selection, beautifully translated!

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2005

Despite the recent 'boom' in Celtic literature, there are not that many anthologies around, which present the whole palette, as it were, of the Celtic mind, feeling and imagination. In this respect, Kenneth Jackson's anthology remains one of the best. When he died in 1991, his obituary notice in The Times declared him 'a master of all four of the major Celtic languages' - an accolade not many could claim. In fact, the material here has been drawn from six Celtic sources - Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Cornish and Manx (the variety of Celtic spoken in the Isle of Mann).

Hence, this anthology enables you to savour the taste of Celtic literature, from an unusual number of sources. While all translations have their limitations, Jackson had an uncanny way of reproducing the alliteration and feel of Celtic. In this book, we find Hero tales, epics, reflections on nature, love, delightful epigrams, Celtic magic poems, descriptive sketches,humour & satire, Bardic Poetry, Elegies, religious reflections etc. - a rich collage indeed.

The main text comprises 305 pages, but reading it is more akin to perusing a Celtic library, for that is effectively what Jackson had to do, to procure this rich diversity of sources. The text includes a map of Ireland and Wales, in case you want to locate places mentioned in the text. Extensive notes have been appended to the text - with a pronouncing index. Not everyone will want to get their tongue round that, but the beauty of this text is that you can dip into the material without worrying unduly about such matters, savouring the imagery for its own sake.

It is hard task to select passages for review, for the whole book deserves to be savoured. I may prejudice the reader's mind with my choices. Epics are too long to quote, but you'll hear of Cu Chulainn and all the rest. At random, how about this from the section titled 'Nature':

(34) To the Sun

Greeting to you, sun of the seasons, as you travel
the skies on high, with your strong steps on the
wing of the heights; you are the happy mother
of the stars.

You sink down in the perilous ocean without harm
and without hurt, you rise up on the quiet wave
like a young queen in flower.

Scottish Gaelic; traditional folk prayer.

- or how about these beautiful lines, from the end of
'The Wish of Manchan of Liath' (Religion. 223.)

" This the housekeeping I would undertake, I would
choose it without concealing; fragrant fresh leeks,
hens, speckled salmon, bees. "

How about this sweet epigram (93) 'Her Light Step'

"There's my darling merry star, flower of the
parish of Llangeinwen; beneath her foot the
grass no more bends than does a rock beneath
a bird's foot."
Welsh. Traditional verse.

Another charming epigram (84, The Snowfall).

White flour, earth flesh, a cold fleece on
the mountain, small snow of the chill black day;
snow like platter, bitter cold plumage,
a softness sent to entrammel me. "

- Welsh englynion.

Here's a snippet of Irish 'Zen.'
A Vain Pilgrimage

" Coming to Rome, much labour and little profit!
The King whom you seek here, unless you bring
Him with you - you will not find him. "

Irish;author unknown; 9th c.

The strange mixture of pity, humility and assertiveness in the following, is peculiarly Celtic.

244. A Charm with Yarrow.

" I will pick the smooth yarrow that my figure may be more elegant, that my lips may be warmer, that my voice may be more cheerful;may my voice be like a sunbeam, may my lips be like the juice of the strawberries.

May I be an island in the sea, may I be a hill on the land, may I be a star when the moon wanes, may I be a staff to the weak one: I shall wound every man, no man shall wound me. "

Scottish Gaelic; traditional folk charm.

Yarrow, a delicate wild flower, long used in Celtic herbal lore and suchlike, grows all over Britain. Like the Japanese Yamato nadeshiko, Yarrow symbolises and invokes ideal qualities of femininity. Yet it is a resilient and tough little plant. Reading this verse, I have always imagined a young woman, tender enough to go through life without betraying the better qualities of womanhood, yet apprehensive that she may be abused. So, along with her wish to be - and remain charming, she also nurtures her sense of cosmic attunement and the strength of the feminine in nature, the power of yielding, happy to be a star when the moon wanes, and a staff to the weak. The closing line - 'I shall wound every man, no man shall wound me' - looks callous, even violent, but really, it conveys nothing more than the wish to remain lucky in love, that the 'charm' with the yarrow should work, not leaving the young woman hurt. It is quite likely that the original form of the verse comprised the first four lines - and the closing line. The additional components soften it, making it less predatory.

Just for its own sake, I've included:

The Harp of Cnoc I Chosgair

"Harp of Cnoc I Chosggair, you who bring sleep to eyes long sleepless;sweet, subtle, plangent, glad, cooling, grave. "

" Excellent instrument with the smooth gentle curve, trilling under red fingers, musician that has charmed us, red, lion-like, of full melody. "

" You who lure the bird from the flock, you who refresh the mind, brown spotted one of sweet words, ardent, wondrous, passionate. "

" You who heal every wounded warrior, joy and allurement to women, familiar guide over the dark blue water, mystic, sweet sounding music. "

"You who silence every instrument of music, yourself a pleasing plaintive every instrument of music, dweller among the Race of Conn, instrument yellow-brown and firm. "

" The one darling of sages,restless, smooth, of sweet tune, crimson star above the fairy hills, breast jewel of High Kings."

"Sweet tender flowers, brown harp of Diarmaid, shape not unloved by host, voice of the cuckoos in May! "

"I have not heard of music such as your frame makes since the time of the fairy people, fair brown many coloured bough, gentle, powerful, glorious."

" Sound of the calm wave on the beach, pure shadowing tree of true music, carousals are drunk in your company, voice of the swan over shining streams. "

"Cryof the fairy women from the Fairy Hill of Ler, no melody can match you, every house is sweet stringed through your guidance, you the pinnacle of harp music. . ."

Irish. Gofraidh Fionn O Dalaigh; c. 1385

At the risk of butchering things, I've thrown in these random extracts from verse found under 'religion.'

232. The Tree of Life

"Lovely is the flock of birds which keeps it, on every bright and goodly bird a hundred feathers; and without sin, with pure brilliance, they sing a hundred tunes for every feather. "

243. A Prayer to the Virgin

"The Virgin of ringlets most excellent, Jesus more surpassing white than snow, melodious Seraphs singing Their praise, and the King of the Universe saying it was fitting. "

"The Virgin most excellent of face, Jesus more surpassing white than snow, She like the moon rising over the hills, He like the sun on the peaks of the mountains. "

All in all, there is something very satisfying about this book. Something about its 'feeling tone' lingers and sticks to you, like incense. I've dipped into it for twenty years, on and off, and always recall the story of the Christian hermit on a tiny island, shedding tears of joy for catching a fish. Its hard to feel like that in a supermarket.

30 people found this helpful

Helpful

this is a wonderful collection

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2004

This is a terrific and pretty comprehensive collection of Celtic poetry and prose. Everything is nicely indexed according to what style of writing it is, and what the subject is, in the table of contents. Under each poem or whathaveyou is a description of where the work comes from, when it dates from, and who (if it is known) wrote the work.
You'll find Welsh, Breton, Cornish, Scots-Gaelic, and Irish works of art here. I know I've often been dissapointed before to buy a book on "Celtic" poetry to find out it was only on Irish works.
To top it all off there is a huge list of end-notes. These explain all those obscure references you'll find in old poetry. Don't know where Aberffraw is, but its in your favorite poem? Flip to the back and find out.
I'm very pleased with this book. I can use it for my classes, simply by looking up a topic and browsing over the many selected works. And I also read it for pleasure, I find the section on humorous works especially enjoyable.

20 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Duncan Doenitz

not what I expected

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is what it says it is, more or less. It gives a pretty good overview of Celtic literature for those who cannot speak or understand Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic, or Welsh. However, there is no discussion of the various Celtic poetic conventions and traditions that due to their reliance on the character, idiosyncrasies, structure and rhythms of the original languages means that the artistry, subtlety and nuances of humour or satire of the respective pieces chosen are mostly lost in translation, them having to be rendered according to stultifying English conventions of poetry and prose.
In truth, I was looking for "A Celtic Miscellany", a book I found and bought in Glasgow in the late 60s. It was a hardback book with uncut pages bound in red leather. It disappeared together with a leather suitcase full of possessions from a "lay apart store" in HMS Neptune, Faslane, when I was in the RN serving on submarines.
Still, I'm glad I found this book.

4 people found this helpful

Lydia C. Savage

Alone in its class

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

We have had a copy of this classic and bought it for a friend who was moving to Wales. He loves it. Jackson forgot more about Celtic poetry than most of us will ever learn.

One person found this helpful

Rob

Wonderful Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book is a wonderful resource for anybody exploring their Celtic spirituality to a deeper level.

I will be taking it away on a forthcoming retreat to use as one of my focuses for prayer.

2 people found this helpful

FíFí Marbhán

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2015

Verified Purchase

Lovely to have such a collection all in one place

MiTo

Wonderful

Reviewed in Germany on February 26, 2020

Verified Purchase

Brilliant!

See all reviews

What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Pages with related products. See and discover other items: irish poetry, multiple author mystery collections, scottish gaelic

Buy new: $18.43 FREE delivery: Thursday, April 8 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon. Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used: $5.00

Other Sellers on Amazon

A Celtic Miscellany: Translations from the Celtic Literature (Penguin Classics) Paperback – February 28, 1972

Enhance your purchase

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Customers who bought this item also bought

Special offers and product promotions

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Product details

Customer reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries

What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?

Buy new:

$18.43

FREE delivery: Thursday, April 8 on orders over $25.00 shipped by Amazon.

Ships from: Amazon.com

Sold by: Amazon.com

Buy used:

$5.00