Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato

Amazon.com

"Jamie O'Rourke is the laziest man in all of Ireland." So begins well-known children's book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola's retelling of a popular Irish folktale. Jamie is accustomed to his wife doing all the household and garden chores, so when she injures her back, he figures he's sure to starve to death. But as luck would have it, he chances upon a leprechaun. The elfin man offers Jamie the biggest "pratie" in the world in exchange for letting him go.

Feeling self-satisfied, Jamie plants the seed, which soon grows into a potato big enough to be a logistical nightmare for the village. Luckily, his wife comes through for him once again, and everyone ends up happy and full. This is not a redemptive tale--Jamie does not learn to be industrious. It is, however, a lively, simple-yet-outlandish, brightly illustrated story about a man and a potato, with a leprechaun thrown in, for luck. (Ages 4 to 8)

Customer Reviews:

Ah , but isn't he the luckiest of men...........2007-03-07

It is March and in my 1st grade this means the reading of Tomie De Poala's fine collection of Irish tales, as we learn a bit o'Irish fun. Clovers, silkies, sheep sheering, poetry, lambs.....we are thinking of the coming of the greening of our CA hills as spring begins to warm our hearts. With the rainbows showing up to remind us of the magic of our earth...thoughts of pots of gold and leprechaun hordes too.

Today my class at U Pick It Read Aloud time enjoyed learning of Blarney Stones and leprechauns and tiny wee folk that have a pot o gold and a few tricks up their tiny little sleeves. In the month of March along with great Irish stories, corned beef and cabbage and shamrock growing we always watch The Secret of Roan Innish and enjoy a little tale or two. An a bit of decaffeinated unadorned Irish coffee. This story is perfect for a good accented read. Jamie O'Rourke is without question the laziest man in all of Ireland. Thank goodness for his hardworking wife Eileen who, sadly, gets laid up in her bed forcing Jamie out to go see the village Priest to seek a blessing before he certainly dies of starvation. He, himself, is a bit too lazy to do any work to save them, so of course he goes looking for help. What he finds is a leprechaun. He negotiates a deal with the leprechaun he captures. Not to spoil the whole tale he grows through this magical trade the largest pratie ever to be seen and in the end of the tale solves his and his dear wife Eileen's troubles all with the confidences and luck of a true fool. My class loved the tale. In typical De Poala fashion there are a few twists and a kind of natural humor in watching this main character resist so completely any lesson learned. That Jamie he is a lazy fellow to the bone. Ah to be sure.

I have several books on Ireland, pictorial, to show the children the look of the land which this book incorporates into the illustrations, stone walls, fields, rolling hills, village life. Very nice small-tale features my class recognized and enjoyed. A very sweet re-aloud made even better by reading the second sequel, or follow-up tale of Jamie and the Pooka. I really enjoy this book each year and after several stories, and time developing information about Ireland, my class likes to write leprechaun tales. Just a bit of fun for the kiddies as we are listening to Celtic music, looking at the contributions to our culture from this fine island rich with musicians, artists, story tellers and believers.

I recommend this with a tip of me hat. May you read with the luck of the Irish.

A big tale about a big potato.......2006-10-12

Tomie dePaola's take on an Irish folktale is wonderfully entertaining. Jamie O'Rourke, "the laziest man in all of Ireland," meets up with a leprechaun and makes a deal: instead of demanding the leprechaun's pot of gold, Jamie accepts a seed for "the biggest pratie [potato] in the world." Of course, we all need to be wary of what we wish for. The ensuing results of growing the world's largest potato cause mayhem in the village. It all settles down beautifully by the end and Jamie O'Rourke is proven not to be the fool that everyone thinks he is. A fun and colorful story for kids and adults alike.

It's pretty good but some causes for concern.......2003-05-03

Theme
This book has two themes. The first of which is to share with your neighbors because everyone pays off and wins. Another theme is that laziness pays off. The first theme is domonstrated through Jamie O'Roarke's sharing and through the villagers offer to cook for Jamie at the end of story. This theme is cute and amusing but the sharing aspect comes off as rather selfish. The theme of laziness is one that is present with a message that is there. It seems to take a back seat to the plot in terms of generating pleasure for the reader.
Plot
The plot of this book is simple and follows a logical pattern of thought. Jamie is lazy but Jamie likes to eat. His wife can no longer care for him so he goes off to pray. Jamie captures a leprechaun and makes a wish for a huge potato. He grows the potato. The villagers and Jamie dig up the potato. They eat potato all winter. The villagers are sick of potato so they offer to cook for Jamie all the next year on the condition Jamie won't grown another large potato. Each event makes sense logically.
Characterization
The characterization is amusing. The photography and words add up to portray a stereotypical Irish guy which, because it is a stereotype, is believable. Jamie's foible of being lazy are amusing.
Setting
The setting in the story is not very important. It sets the tone for a lot of the cultural aspects of the story. This story would not make sense or be as funny if it was set in another country.
Point of View
The point of view this story is told from Jamie O'Roarke's point of view. This adds a lot of amusement to the story as it helps to highlight some of Jamie's character flaws.
Other Assessment
The pictures in this book are highly entertaining. They are two-dimensional and use a similar color palette the whole book through. The pictures have clearly defined shape. They are one of the best parts of this book.
One of the concerns some adult readers may have about exposing this book to young readers is the use of language in the book. The author makes the attempt to add a level of authenticity to this story by making the characters sound Irish through the use of language. This is mostly done by having the characters refer to God. One example is where Jamie says "Oh, the saints preserve us." Another example of trying to add authenticity through language is taking the g off words ending in ing. The author succeeds in adding what he strives out to do but it might appear to make the Irish seem stupid and obsessed with religion.

Fun fun fun - entertaining book.......2003-04-09

It is highly important for chidren to read folktales to learn about cultures and history. This includes stories that are just plain fun. I highly disagree with the reviewer here who said this story should be left untold. Not all stories have to have a moral (although IMO, this one had one, but I digress). Some stories illustrate to us what a wonderful, fine sense of humor the Irish had (and still do). Jamey had quite an adventure with the wee folk and his "Prattie". My children loved this book, as did I. We liked the dialogue, including, as I mentioned, Tomie de Paola's using of the Irish "prattie" for potatoe. The long-suffering wife was witty, and poor Jamey O'Rourke was a hoot. After reading the library version, we bought our own copy.

Plain old fun.......2000-10-24

This is just a plain old fun book for kids. No, there are no moral messages to sink deep into your child's soul; no, Jamie O'Rouke doesn't miraculous change at the end of the book (hmm...sound like real life?). He's still as lazy as he ever was. But my kids giggled to read about the big potato and the entire town having to eat it until they didn't ever want to see another potato. Get the book and enjoy it for what it is -- fun.

Favorite Celtic Fairy Tales (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)

Average customer rating:

What an enjoyable book!
My Favorite Fairy Tales

Favorite Celtic Fairy Tales (Dover Children's Thrift Classics)
Joseph Jacobs
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486283526

Book Description

For young and old alike — 8 captivating tales filled with whimsy, charm, and magic: "The Fate of the Children of Lir," "The Shepherd of Middvai," "Beth Gellert," "The Tale of Ivan," "Morraha," "The Story of Deirdre," "The Llanfabon Changeling," and "The Sea-Maiden." Reset in large, easy-to-read type.

Customer Reviews:

What an enjoyable book!.......2004-07-21

I've always been a fan of fairy tales, as well as all things celtic, and so this particular book was pretty much perfect for me. It contains eight different stories, and I enjoyed seeing the similarities between these stories, and the myths and legends of other cultures. The way language was used was also intriguing, as there were several times that the phrasing seemed backwards; I can see, though, where these stories would benefit from being passed down orally through the generations - they just seem to flow better when read aloud. (Yes, I did read some of the passages aloud to myself, and my puppy, a Scottish Terrier; he seemed to enjoy them. *grin*)

My Favorite Fairy Tales.......2000-04-11

To start off, let me first say that in general, I like the whole series of Dover Children's Thrift Classics Fairy Tales. Filled with murder and betrayal, this book is questionably appropriate for young children, though it does leave behind some important morals.

Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk (Picture Puffins)

Average customer rating:

Happy St. Paddy's to our 4 year-old and 2 year -old grandkids!
Gift
Leaping Lephrucauns
The Luck of the Irish.....

Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk (Picture Puffins)
Gerald McDermott
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140506756

Book Description

This lighthearted Irish tale of magic, greed, and revenge from Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Gerald McDermott reminds us that a bit of good luck is never out of reach-as long as you look for the wee folk. When poor and jobless Tim O'Toole discovers a group of wee folk, he knows his bad luck has changed forever. But before he can enjoy the treasures they give him, Tim has to learn an important lesson.

Spirited and humorous illustrations reveal the world of the wee folk, along with Tim O'Toole and his family.

Customer Reviews:

Happy St. Paddy's to our 4 year-old and 2 year -old grandkids!.......2006-03-25

With so many long-time traditional holidays being pushed to the wayside to be replaced by those more currently popular and politically correct, we are always looking for ways to celebrate and anchor traditions with our grandchildren. To help our pre-school grandbabies get a little more anchored with their Irish heritage, we thought they were old enough this year to be introduced to the connections of this special cultural holiday. "Tim O'Toole and the Wee Folk" was just the answer. Woven within the adventure of this tale of the very Irish Tim O'Toole are subtle but effective lessons about the benefits the moral values we hold dear, the outcome of choices made, and no small amount of fun, courtesy of the fanciful Wee Folk. To include in the package with this book and a strip of four-leaf clover stickers and green T-shirts, we also purchased from Amazon the "RiverDance" CD. We hear our grandkids were delighted with the whimsy of our gift and asked for the story of Tim O'Toole to be read twice before bed on March 17. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Gift.......2006-03-01

This was a gift to a young child who has enjoyed having it read to him and will undoubtedly read it himself when he learns to read!

Leaping Lephrucauns.......2002-03-09

Tim O' Toole is a fantasy tale about a poor man who goes to find work in the town. When Tim takes a rest he discovers a festive group of wee folk. Tim being a wise fellow indeed he threatens the weefolk
to hand over thier treasure and they'll be safe . The weefolk disagree and they give Tim a goose that lays golden eggs. The weefolk warn Tim not to tell a soul. When Tim goes and tells his neighbors , the Magoons.Knowing the great tresures of cherish they steal the goose. When Tim comes crying to the lepracauns they give him a magical tablecloth.Once again the samething happens. Will Tim get his cherished itams back, buy the book to see. The main cahracters are Tim, his wife Kate,the Magoons, and the weefolk. The lesson is becareful who you trust.

The Luck of the Irish............2002-02-20

"In a little cottage, on a little hill, at the end of a little lane in Donegal, lived Tim O'Toole and his wife, Kathleen. Tim and Kate were so poor they had not a penny or a potato between them. Their children ate porridge for supper. Even the mice were thin from want of food and the cat wouldn't bother with chasing the creatures." So begins Gerald McDermott's Irish folktale, Tim O'Toole And The Wee Folk. Finally Kathleen had had enough, and without even a crumb left to eat, sent her husband out to look for work. Tim O'Toole walked the entire county, but had no luck. But as soon as he sat down to rest, "he heard the faint sound of merry piping and lilting voices raised in song and laughter." Leprechauns! Now Tim knew his luck had changed, for "whoever spies the wee folk in the light of day can demand their treasure". And they rewarded him richly with a goose that lays golden eggs. Unfortunately, on the way home, Tim stopped for the night at McGoon's farm. Unable to control himself, he bragged a bit about his good fortune, and while he was asleep, those nasty McGoons replaced his golden goose with one of their own..... Mr McDermott's wonderfully engaging text is full of magic and humor and begs to be read aloud with a lilting brogue. His amusing, colorful, and expressive illustrations complement the tale and add to all the fun. And as the wee folk come to Tim's rescue and save the day, kids and adults alike will be cheering and laughing out loud. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Tim O'Toole And The Wee Folk is a joyous, good-time, entertaining read that will bring out a little bit of Irish in each of us.

Irish Fairy and Folk Tales (Modern Library Classics)

Average customer rating:

From a World Long Forgotten
Enchanting!
Absolutely charming!
I loved this book!
A fascinating look at the tradition of folklore in Ireland.

Irish Fairy and Folk Tales (Modern Library Classics)

Manufacturer: Modern Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0812968557
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Book Description

Gathered by the renowned Irish poet, playwright, and essayist William Butler Yeats, the sixty-five tales and poems in this delightful collection uniquely capture the rich heritage of the Celtic imagination. Filled with legends of village ghosts, fairies, demons, witches, priests, and saints, these stories evoke both tender pathos and lighthearted mirth and embody what Yeats describes as “the very voice of the people, the very pulse of life.”

“The impact of these tales doesn’t stop with Yeats, or Joyce, or Oscar Wilde,” writes Paul Muldoon in his Foreword, “for generations of readers in Ireland and throughout the world have found them flourishing like those persistent fairy thorns.”

Customer Reviews:

From a World Long Forgotten.......2007-10-10

This is a new and expanded version of the original volume published by in 1892 under the title "Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry." It was subsequently re-titled, "Irish Fairy and Folk Tales," and has seen several editions from different publishers.
This edition, with an illuminating forward by Paul Muldoon, also has other additions that help the reader penetrate the sometimes dense and archaic language. If I had to choose between the original edition and this one, I would definitely choose this one. The main body of the book is identical to the original.
Both Yeats and Lady Gregory were especially concerned that the best of the tales from the Irish countryside be preserved before their main purveyors, the Shenaches (storytellers) vanished. Those collected here are a varied lot, and not all of them will appeal to every reader. That, however, does not affect their value at all, for here a way of life is preserved and we can look through a small window into the beliefs and habits of the Irish people in the days when the "Fairy Faith" was still common amongst them. It is probably best not to read the collection straight through, but rather peruse it, selecting from it that which most appeals.
Yeats's singular contribution is the dividing the denizens of the Irish Enchanted Countryside into categories: The Trooping Fairy, The Solitary Fairy, the Sociable Fairy, etc, together with Ghosts, Witches, Giants and the like. Within each "type" there are essays, songs, poems, hearsay, histories ... in short, something to appeal to every taste, as long as that taste has a goodly sampling of fancy about it.
These fairies are not the gossamer winged, luminous beings of Victorian paintings. These fairies are as likely to curse as to bless and it does not benefit the unwary or skeptical to offend them. Here are pookas, leprechauns, far darrig, Ban-Shees, and lanawn-shees.
These creatures were ever present to the Irish peasantry, and were forgotten with the industrialization of modern times. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of Yeats and others like him, much of this world was preserved for us.
Some of the stories and poems retain their Irish intonation and syntax and may be difficult for some to follow, but patience will be rewarded; One can almost "hear" the storyteller and the bard.
This is a volume well worth going back to again and again.

Enchanting!.......2006-03-22

Of all fairy tales, Irish tales and legends are the most fascinating. They take you to the magical world of fairies, elves, giants, leprechauns, banshees, witches and you just want the magical journey to continue. Irish fairy tales are like no others, they are trully unique. This particular edition by William Butler Yates is one of the best, because it contains the most beautiful Irish tales and legends. But I would also reccomend Irish Folk Tales by Henry Glassie (which you can also find on Amazon.com), because this book contains some great tales that were not included in W.B.Yates' edition. I have them both and they are great books, great reading for children as well as adults.

Absolutely charming!.......2005-11-02

This absolutely charming collection of stories truly represents the best of "fairy" tales in which the fairy folk feature prominantly as well as a number of other folk beasties. WB Yeats has managed to capture all of the humor, fright, and love involved in the fairy world and it is a joy to follow him around in a world he seems to know so well.

I loved this book!.......2005-07-08

Yeats has long been one of my favorite poets; however, I did not expect his re-telling of Irish Fairy and Folk Tales to be up to his poetry standard. With that said, let me say he does an excellent job re-telling these old stories and if you have any interest whatsoever in fairy tales or Irish Mythology, read this book. "The Trooping Fairies" and "Witches, Fairy Doctors" were 2 of my favorite chapters but overall the whole book is a delight to read. It's an easy read, some stories are funny, some are scary, but most are just entertaining. Also there are some poems mixed in with the stories which add to the story-telling. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A fascinating look at the tradition of folklore in Ireland........2004-05-20

In this delightful volume, first published in 1892, William Butler Yeats has collected all manner of Irish folklore (mostly short stories, with a few poems) from a wide variety sources. He has divided the works into categories as follows: the "Trooping Fairies" (fairies, changelings, and the "merrow" or mermaids); the "Solitary Fairies" (the lepracaun, the pooka - an animal spirit, and the banshee); "Ghosts"; "Witches & Fairy Doctors"; "T'yeer-na-n-Oge" or "Tir-na-n-Og" (a legendary island said to appear and disappear); "Saints & Priests"; "The Devil"; "Giants"; and "Kings / Queens / Princesses / Earls / Robbers." Yeats introduces each section with background information on the creature the stories in that category will concern. He also includes numerous footnotes of interest, making this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to learn about the tradition of Irish folklore.

While I have given this anthology a five-star rating based on it's value as a source of information on Irish mythology, it would probably be worth only four stars for entertainment value alone. Some of the stories are very short and/or don't have much of a point, and are less interesting. These tend to serve more as testimony to the nature of a particular mythical being rather than being an actual story with a plot and message for the reader. Nevertheless, the book as a whole offers a very comprehensive look at just what defines Irish folk culture. The stories that do have a point sometimes take the form of "how things came to be this way" tales, or provide a moral lesson, etc. Many of the stories are rather dark, as that tends to be the nature of lore from this region, but there are also some lighthearted and cheerful pieces.

Despite the book having been compiled more than one hundred years ago, most of the stories are quite easy to read. Yeats makes things even more simple for the reader by making footnotes where old Irish words or phrases are used, giving us their meaning. However, there are a few stories that have been left in a more archaic form, which is distracting and a bit harder to decipher. Take, for example, the following excerpt:

". . . the minit he puts his knife into the fish, there was a murtherin' screech, that you'd the life id lave you if you hurd it, and away jumps the throut out av the fryin'-pan into the middle o' the flure; and an the spot where it fell, up riz a lovely lady - the beautifullest crathur that eyes ever seen, dressed in white, and a band o' goold in her hair, and a sthrame o' blood runnin' down her arm" (pg. 46).

I should probably make note of the fact, for those whom it might interest, that although the title page says the book is "profusely illustrated," there are actually only a few pictures. I believe only six of the over seventy stories are illustrated, and these with simple (but nice), old-fashioned line drawings in black and white. However this is not really a criticism as I view it, since I like the book for its literary content and wouldn't really care if it had no pictures at all.

One of the things I enjoy most about literature is finding connections with other works I've read, and "Irish Fairy & Folk Tales" does not disappoint in this regard. Many of the pieces are derivations of other, more common fairy tales. For instance, "Smallhead and the King's Sons" (Ghosts / pg. 194) incorporates some elements from both "Cinderella" and "Hansel and Gretel," while "The Giant's Stairs" (Giants / pg. 355) has some similarities to the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk." There are more connections like this. On the whole I found this book to be very enjoyable, and also a valuable read from a literary / academic standpoint. I'd certainly recommend it to anyone interesting in the history of Irish culture, the study of fairy tales and folklore, or both.

Average customer rating:

Strange things may happen here

The loss, the finding of the authentic self.

wonderfully poignant ending!

Selkie Girl, The
Cooper
Manufacturer: Margaret K. McElderry
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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The Seal Children

The People of the Sea: A Journey in Search of the Seal Legend

Tales of the Seal People: Scottish Folk Tales (International Folk Tale Series)

SILVER COW, THE (Silver Cow CL)

The Secret of Roan Inish

ASIN: 0689503903

Customer Reviews:

Strange things may happen here.......2005-03-21

Mermaids get all the good press. Heck, you can't throw a dart in a crowded library without hitting five or six children's books all dedicated to those fishy sea ladies. But what about selkie women? When do they get their due? Few books about selkies actually make them out to be women, as it happens. The men get, "A Stranger Came Ashore" and "Island of the Aunts", for example. Female selkies appear in "Daughter of the Sea", but not much else. So it was with great joy that I located not only a selkie book starring a woman, but a picture book at that. "The Selkie Girl" is your classic tale of abduction, male dominance, and naked women. Everything a picture book could aspire to. It is written by children's literature demi-god Susan Cooper (known best for her "The Dark Is Rising" stories), and illustrated by fellow Brit Warwick Hutton. It is a lovely little work.

Donallan lives alone by the sea with his cat and his dog and his sheep. It's a lonely life and Donallan longs for some company. One day, while scrounging for seaweed, he is enchanted by the song of three lovely naked women singing on a nearby rock. When he tries to investigate, however, they dive into the waves and become seals or selkies. An elderly man living near Donallan tells the young man how to catch one of the women as his bride. He must come on the same day one year from now and before the woman can grab it, steal her seal skin. Then she'll be bound to follow Donallan home. He does, she does, and they have five kids. Until, one day, their youngest son catches his father removing a lovely long sealskin from a mysterious brick behind their house...

Cooper, quite frankly, should do more picture books. This particular one contains all her lovely turns of phrase and particular lilts. Says the first sentence in the book, "The island rise green out of the sea, where the waves foam over the grey rocks, and strange things may happen there". The fact that Cooper has remained faithful to the whole naked chick part of the tale is also impressive. Other authors might have shied away or said the ladies were wearing seaweed garments or some such thing. The tale is a classic one, one told for centuries and not to be tampered with. So yes, this is a book about a man basically forcing someone to be his wife. Therefore, when she escapes back to the sea at the end, you're not particularly sad about it. Some kids reading the book may be a bit perturbed, but picture books should engage children as much as possible.

It is a bit of a pity that Warwick Hutton's illustrations don't convey the mystery of the story particularly well. His watercolors are lovely and majestic, but not particularly detailed. I cannot help but think that the book's editor could have located a more appropriate illustrator somewhere. Ah well. In the end it's the story that matters, and this one is truly lovely. Barbaric, perhaps. But lovely. For a great Irish tale that doesn't necessarily involve leprechauns, try "The Selkie Girl" on for size.

The loss, the finding of the authentic self........2002-02-04

This book was amazing to me the first time I read it and continues to touch me deeply....so much so that I just spent $90. for an old used copy so that I could own it and return to it again and again. It is the story of all women, women who are taken from their true selves to serve others, in places that are foreign to their souls. And, of course, the story of her return. A children's book, but one that speaks to all ages. Magical. Timeless. I have heard that this story has been told in many languages for many hundreds of years. I would welcome any information that anyone has about this.

wonderfully poignant ending!.......1998-02-20

This story has a gripping plot with a wonderfully poignant ending. Children will empathise with the dilemma facing the mother and her children in this tale.

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry

Average customer rating:

Window to a Time Past
Excellent literary introduction to Irish folk tales
A fascinating look at the tradition of folklore in Ireland.
Pure Drivel
Even a mere mortal can wander in Yeats' Celtic Twilight....

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry

Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0486269418

Book Description

Treasury of 64 tales invites readers into the shadowy, twilight world of Celtic myth and legend. Mischievous fairy people, murderous giants, priests, devils, and druids star in such stories as "The Soul Cages," "The Black Lamb," "The Horned Women," "The Phantom Isle," and more. Introduction, Notes by W. B. Yeats.

Customer Reviews:

Window to a Time Past.......2007-10-10

This is a reprint of the original volume published by W.B. Yeats in 1892. There have been several other versions, under different titles, notably one published by Barnes & Noble, and another from Modern Library with a forward by Paul Muldoon. Both of the latter go under the title "Irish Fairy and Folk Tales." All three are collected and edited by William Butler Yeats, arguably the greatest poet the island ever produced. They are essentially the same collection, with the exception that the B&N version also contains an account of the Fate of the Children of Lir, together with beautiful engravings illustrating the entire volume.
Both Yeats and Lady Gregory were especially concerned that the best of the tales from the Irish countryside be preserved before their main purveyors, the Shenaches (storytellers) vanished. Those collected here are a varied lot, and not all of them will appeal to every reader. That, however, does not affect their value at all, for here a way of life is preserved and we can look through a small window into the beliefs and habits of the Irish people in the days when the "Fairy Faith" was still common amongst them. It is probably best not to read the collection straight through, but rather peruse it, selecting from it that which most appeals.
Yeats's singular contribution is the dividing the denizens of the Irish Enchanted Countryside into categories: The Trooping Fairy, The Solitary Fairy, the Sociable Fairy, etc, together with Ghosts, Witches, Giants and the like. Within each "type" there are essays, songs, poems, hearsay, histories ... in short, something to appeal to every taste, as long as that taste has a goodly sampling of fancy about it.
These fairies are not the gossamer winged, luminous beings of Victorian paintings. These fairies are as likely to curse as to bless and it does not benefit the unwary or skeptical to offend them. Here are pookas, leprechauns, far darrig, Ban-Shees, and lanawn-shees.
These creatures were ever present to the Irish peasantry, and were forgotten with the industrialization of modern times. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of Yeats and others like him, much of this world was preserved for us.
Some of the stories and poems retain their Irish intonation and syntax and may be difficult for some to follow, but patience will be rewarded; One can almost "hear" the storyteller and the bard.
This is a volume well worth going back to again and again.

Excellent literary introduction to Irish folk tales.......2005-10-12

While Yeats relied on mostly 19th century literary versions of folktales, which often distorted the stories somewhat in the interest of catering to the Victorian English-speaking cities, the stories themselves are well chosen to represent a wide range of common Irish folk tales and mythical creatures. The stories themselves, moreover, are indeed more literary than perhaps more authentic collections, such as Kevin Danaher's, and are therefore a little more interesting to read. I plan to use this text in a course on Irish literature both because the tales are a good introduction to Irish folklore and because the tales demonstrate how the early-twentieth-century Irish Renaissance adopted, adapted, and remolded the Irish Gaelic tradition.

A fascinating look at the tradition of folklore in Ireland........2004-07-10

Pure Drivel.......2003-12-18

The road to hell... well that's what this is. Yeats wanted to create quaint traditions to revive a sense of nationalism and singlhandedly strip mined a culture. Read "In Search of Ancient Ireland" or other scholarly work. The truth of Ireland is as magical as Yeat's babble. Don't waste your time unless you need this book to write a report for school. And even then, use your library.

Even a mere mortal can wander in Yeats' Celtic Twilight...........1997-07-09

These stories that Yeats collected are as deeply moving as his poetry. You have the feeling that this collection is a part of the deep well that Yeats' created his earlier 'Celtic Twilight' poetry from. These stories are faery tales, but there is an element of realism to them for, as you read, you doubt not the truth of the tales, and immediately want to escape to Ireland and dance on the hills with the fey folk. Read this in the winter by the fire with a copy of Yeats' early poetry and prepare for a twilight wandering amongst shadowy woods, quiet country roads and green green hills. This is one of those books which you hold up to your heart upon completion, and sigh deeply from the experience of reading it - more of a journey than the act of turning pages and interpreting words...

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All of Granny's weird tales written down
Comprehensive!
A fascinating look at the tradition of folklore in Ireland.
A literate touch to classic Irish tales
Traditional Tales from Ireland

Fairy and Folk Tales of Ireland

Manufacturer: BBS Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0883659263

Book Description

THE CLASSIC ONE-VOLUME INTRODUCTION TO IRELAND'S RICH FOLKLORE: WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS'S MAGICAL SELECTION OF TRADITIONAL IRISH FAIRY AND FOLK TALES

Fairy and Folk Tales of Ireland combines two books of Irish folklore collected and edited by William Butler Yeats -- Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, first published in 1888, and Irish Fairy Tales, published in 1892. In this delightful gathering of legend and song, the familiar characters of Irish myth come to life: the mercurial trooping fairies, as ready to make mischief as to do good; the solitary and industrious Lepracaun and his dissipated cousin, the Cluricaun; the fearsome Pooka, who lives among ruins and has "grown monstrous with much solitude"; and the Banshee, whose eerie wailing warns of death. More than an ambitious and successful effort to preserve the rich heritage of his native land, this volume confirms Yeats's conviction that imagination is the source of both life and art. As Benedict Kiely observes in his foreword, Yeats was seeking "not for the meaning of any mystery but for what he had already determined to find...a world of the imagination...a world that fed on dreaming and not on the painted toy of grey truth."

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All of Granny's weird tales written down.......2007-09-17

Yeats took ambitious pride in his Irish heritage, and his records of Irish fairy and folk tales demonstrate the value he placed in the traditional culture. This book, Fairy and Folk Tales of Ireland, combines two separate folklore books written by Yeats: Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, and Irish Fairy Tales. They were collected in one volume and first published in 1889, in which Yeats says, "The two volumes make, I believe, a fairly representative collection of Irish folk tales" (p. 299 of 1983 ed.).

Fairly representative, indeed--not comprehensive. One only has to read Yeats's frequent references to contemporary researchers of Irish folklore, such as Lady Wilde (Oscar Wilde's mother) and Douglas Hyde, to see that there is much more out there. But Yeats's presentation and format, i.e. recording tales in varying dialects from sundry sources, makes it seem like you're reading the notes of a linguist or researcher who traveled the Irish countryside looking for data, Brothers Grimm style. Consequently, the original atmosphere of these stories is preserved remarkably well. It feels like you're listening to your eons old Irish grandmother rambling about a neighbor from two decades ago.

Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry takes up about ¾ of the book, and is divided into thematic sections with explanatory introductions. The introductions alone make this book work buying; they are clear, concise, and interesting. The stories themselves range widely in length, readability, and overall quality. Some delighted me, while others couldn't keep my attention. Sometimes the dialects were painful, but sometimes they provided just the right amount of flavor. My favorite sections were on the Merrows, Banshees, and Fairy Doctors, primarily because I learned the most on those topics.

Irish Fairy Tales is a fitting companion. It's much shorter but fills in a few of the gaps left by the previous collection. You'll find a little repetition and/or mirroring of certain events or storylines with slight changes here and there, but that's normal when collecting primary sources. The section on Land and Water Fairies particularly filled out my picture of "the good people."

Yeats also provides bibliographies that are perfect if you're looking for contemporary writings on fairies. If you're interested in Irish mythology and folklore, this book is a necessity. If you're just looking for something fun to read, some of the stories may be too dull or trying.

Comprehensive!.......2004-07-18

Everything you can think of, and all the things you can't think of are in this book. It runs the gamut of Folk/ Fairy tales from Ireland.

A fascinating look at the tradition of folklore in Ireland........2004-07-10

A literate touch to classic Irish tales.......2001-10-18

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. I purchased it as one of a number of books for a friend. This edition has an attractive cover and a solid construction, important for a volume that will be kept and re-read many times.

Yeats is listed as editor of this volume but I feel that probably underplays his importance. The stories are not his invention, but it seems his writing throughout. The stories are well chosen to cover a large part of Irish myth and are well written. This volume and "Mythologies" show Yeats abiding love for the Celtic heritage that surrounded him.

I always enjoy Yeat's writing, from his poetry all the wy to his essays. This volume shows that he can have a masterful touch for myths.

The only shortcoming is that to the modern reader the language may sometimes appear slightly archaic or stilted, though this is rare and somehow seems to fit for a collection of legends.

Traditional Tales from Ireland.......1999-05-07

Well, I read a different edition, but I'm sure they contain essentially the same stories. The collection contains many traditional folk stories and several poems from Ireland. The stories are entertaining, and some contain folk wisdom in their morals. Many are told in dialect, with some Irish words left intact. The similarities between these tales and folk tales around the world is striking, though of course characters such as the banshee and leprachaun are distinctly Irish. There is a strong Christian influence in these stories, which makes an interesting blend with the older Druidic elements. I found them entertaining, and they definately are distinctly Irish. Anyone interested in traditional Irish culture, or fairy tales in general will enjoy these stories.

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Celtic Tales of the Strange
Joanne Asala
Manufacturer: Sterling Pub Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0806996714

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Beautiful

Celtic Wonder-Tales
Ella Young
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 048628896X

Book Description

An enchanting compilation of 14 folk stories of Celtic magic and legend. Includes "The Earth Shapers," "The Cow of Plenty," "The Golden Fly," "The Children of Lir," and ten more authentic tales.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2002-04-15

I've read many times the celtic tales written by historians or history teachers. However, i've never read those tales in such touching and heartwarming way. Ella Young loved her land, and it notices. From the creation of the world, to the arrival of christianity to Ireland, these celtic tales are lovely to hear and to read. I've read the spanish version (a translation), and even when i know that in the translations some of the original spirit is lost, this doesn't occur with Celtic Wonder Tales. The writing is so simple, direct and beautiful, that the only complaint i could have is that the book is too short. I'd loved a longer book, including more and more legends, in Ella's precious style.

The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde (Selections)

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The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde (Selections)
Oscar Wilde
Manufacturer: Henry Holth & Co (J)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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