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The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales | 
 enlarge | Creator: Patrick K. Ford
Publisher: University of California Press
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
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Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 207093
Format: Special Edition
Media: Paperback
Edition: 2
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0520253965
Dewey Decimal Number: 398
EAN: 9780520253964
ASIN: 0520253965
Publication Date: February 12, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The four stories which make up the Mabinogi along with three additional tales from the same tradition form this collection and comprise the core of the ancient Welsh mythological cycle. Included are only those stories that have remained unadulterated by the influence of the French Arthurian romances, providing a rare, authentic selection of the finest works in medieval Celtic literature. In this first thoroughly revised edition and translation since Lady Charlotte Guest's famous Mabinogion in 1849, Patrick Ford has presented a scholarly document in readable, modern English, a literary achievement of the highest order.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
A clear and loyal translation December 12, 2008
Ford's translation stays true to the Middle Welsh, and his introduction is informative to anyone interested in familiarizing themselves with medieval Welsh literature. I was surprised and a bit disappointed to see that his introduction and bibliography of recommended readings had not been updated since the initial publication of this text in the 1970s. Significant work has been done in this field since then, and it would be nice to see it referenced.
Comparing this ed. to Davies' 2008 Oxford UP ed. January 26, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
How does the handsomely bound new rendering by Sioned Davies, Chair in Welsh at Cardiff, compare with the standard version often used and widely praised, Harvard professor Ford's? I consulted my 1977 copy as Ford's new printing has not yet been published. Will his "30th Anniversary" U of California paperback reissued edition find itself in a dead heat with Davies? The race may prove a photo finish!
I compared their translations of a favorite passage of mine early on in the First Branch, Pwyll's tale. Arawn's just been reunited with his queen after the year's test by unwitting yet steadfast doppelganger Pwyll. She wonders, post-coitally after a long year's lapse, why it's been so long since her husband made love with her.
Here's Ford (1977 ed., p. 41) first at the starting line.
"Shame on me," she said, "if from the time we went between the sheets there was even pleasure or talk between us or even your facing me-- much less anything more than that-- for the past year!"
And he thought, "Dear Lord God, it was a unique man, with strong and unwavering friendship that I got for a companion." And then he said to his wife, "Lady," he said, "don't blame me. I swear to God," he said, "I haven't slept with you since a year from last night nor have I lain with you."
And he told her the entire adventure.
"I confess to God," she said, "as far as fighting temptations of the flesh and keeping true to you goes, you had a solid hold on a fellow."
"Lady," he said, "that's just what I was thinking while I was silent with you."
"That was only natural," she answered.
--You can feel the hesitant insertion of the teller's dramatic pauses implied with the "saids." These intensify rhythms of the poet's strong, confident prose. A few contractions and the well-placed dashes quicken the dialogue's pace. The language avoids the flowery exactitude and chivalric diction that marked Gwyn and Thomas Jones' 1949 Everyman edition. But, neither does Ford choose an entirely modern register. He keeps a slightly elevated style while emphasizing verve and a gently sophisticated voice for the couple.
--Compare and contrast Davies (2008 ed., p. 7). As in other pages I spot-checked, the two professors run neck and neck and overlap considerably-- a sign of how both scholars channel what Ford calls the "restraint" in this passage as well as its humor and tension.
"Shame on me," she said, "if there has been between us for the past year, from the time we were wrapped up in the bedclothes, either pleasure or conversation, or have you turned your face to me, let alone anything more than that!"
And then he thought, "Dear Lord God," he said, "I had a friend whose loyalty was steadfast and secure." And then he said to his wife, "Lady," he said, "do not blame me. Between me and God," he said, "I have neither slept nor lain down with you for the past year."
And then he told her the whole story.
"I confess to God," she said, "you struck a firm bargain for your friend to have fought off the temptations of the flesh and kept his word to you."
"Lady," he said, "those were my very thoughts while I was silent just now."
"No wonder!" she said.
--Davies in her preface emphasizes the "performative" qualities in her edition. In this passage, she appears to let the lines go longer rather than reining them in to English syntax. They drift away slightly before coming back to us. Perhaps this echo demonstrates Davies' own scholarship in the medieval Welsh interplay between orality and literacy. The author of two books on the Mabinogi, she stresses the "interactive" nature of the manuscript to be read aloud for the "acoustic dimension" embedded in the Welsh texts and through alliteration, tone, and beat, she tries to give us a feel for this tempo, albeit imperfectly conveyed perforce into our clunkier English.
--Both Davies and Ford include the four branches: Pwyll, Branwen, Manawydan, and Math. Both include Lludd & Llueyls. But, reflecting textual differences in the original manuscript anthologies, they also differ. Ford's tales attributed to Gwion Bach & Taliesin, Culhwch & Olwen, and his appendix on Cad Goddeu do not appear in Davies. She provides Peredur, The Dream of the Emperor Maxen, The Lady of the Well, Geraint, and Rhonawby's Dream.
--Both editors explain their textual choices and open with prefaces. They both add glossaries, pronunciation guides, and bibliographies. Ford situates the tales in Indo-European contexts and Davies delves into their delivery as recited stories. Ford begins each tale with a short introduction; Davies adds explanatory notes in a detailed appendix, keyed to asterisks in the body of the text. Davies keys her "Index of Personal Names" to pages in the text while Ford does not. For study and teaching, it looks like the competition may result in a dignified and spirited draw. Most serious readers doubtless will want to consult, as I have, both fine efforts side-by-side.
(This review's, fittingly, also at the Davies listing on Amazon US. May both translations flourish.)
Stories of My Gods June 9, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I work a lot with Welsh Gods and I have to remind everyone, this is THE source of what we know about Welsh mythology. I am not sure if persons not interested in deciphering the stories would enjoy them, but if you want the mystery and challenge, buy this book. Too many people claim to worship Rhiannon or know all about Ceridwen, and have never read the original sources of what we know about them which drives me nuts.
Excellent Translation January 9, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Patrick Ford's translation is the best that I've read. It appears to be the most accurate translation and the easiest to read and understand. Anyone who is interested in Welsh mythology or mythology in general should read this book. The tales themselves are interesting and entertaining. They give us a great glimpse into the world of the ancient Welsh people.
A fine translation... and retelling... January 4, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I received this book the evening before departing on a trip. After settling in on the plane the woman who was seated next to me asked, "What are you reading?" I showed her and was greeted with an immediate "Oooooh.... ugghh." I must admit that I understood her reaction. Although I have steadfastly slogged my way through them, many translations of ancient works have left me wishing for the touch of a modern bard. This one, however, did not (or perhaps it had, indeed, benefitted from such a touch!). Ford was my companion on both the flight out and the return trip. He was informative, entertaining, insightful, and (I am told by others who would know), quite accurate. I recommend this book highly.
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