Celtic Mythology

Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes

By: Philip Freeman

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

Most people have heard of the Celts - the elusive, ancient tribal people who resided in present-day England, Ireland, Scotland and France. Paradoxically characterized as both barbaric and innocent, the Celts appeal to the modern world as a symbol of a bygone era, a world destroyed by the ambition of empire and the spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe. Despite the pervasive cultural and literary influence of the Celts, shockingly little is known of their way of life and beliefs, because very few records of their stories exist. In this book, for the first time, Philip Freeman brings together the best stories of Celtic mythology.

Everyone today knows about the gods and heroes of the ancient Greeks, such as Zeus, Hera, and Hercules, but how many people have heard of the Gaulish god Lugus or the magical Welsh queen Rhiannon or the great Irish warrior Cú Chulainn? We still thrill to the story of the Trojan War, but the epic battles of the Irish Táin Bó Cuailgne are known only to a few. And yet those who have read the stories of Celtic myth and legend - among them writers like J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis - have been deeply moved and influenced by these amazing tales, for there is nothing in the world quite like them. In these stories a mysterious and invisible realm of gods and spirits exists alongside and sometimes crosses over into our own human world; fierce women warriors battle with kings and heroes, and even the rules of time and space can be suspended. Captured in vivid prose these shadowy figures - gods, goddesses, and heroes - come to life for the modern listener.

©2017 Philip Freeman (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Scholarly yet fancifully told

Be warned that this is a collection of ancient legends from imaginative yet martial tribal peoples. Three times 50 beautiful maidens and warriors who kill 100 men at a pass are a regular feature of such fare - but shape changing and passage to the world of the fakery folk feature as well. Gerard Doyle brings these ancient tales to life, such that you’d think a hedge school master or some bard from the past were the one telling it. Yet it’s all based on sound scholarship - giving as much verity to myth as may be possible. It’s a comprehensive work as well, starting with the earliest Roman references to the Celts and ending with Celtic influenced stories of Saints Patrick, Brigid and Brenden.

Can be a bit dry

I really struggled to finish this one. Not as engaging as I would have liked.

History is written by the winners

The winners in this case are male and Christen. It’s no shock the tales have many weak and faithless or evil women. I really wouldn’t have minded the tales but the monotone of the author often killed the excitement or wit of the stories.

Meh

It turns very pro christian at the end. It begins with a noah and the ark flood story then quickly goes into celtic myths, but when catholicism enters the picture the autor begins aggressively calling druids evil.

good narrative, couldn't hold attention

found it hard to follow and dragging at times, but the last chapter sums it up nicely. preformed well too. Not a book I'll read again or really recommend but not upset I listened either.

Mesmerising

The reader has a soothing, calming voice. Even my 2 year old son will sit and listen with me!

Irish history

entertaining, comparative Christian history. Humorous. A mythical journey of Irish history.
if you are interested please read.

Absolutely wonderful!

Both content and narrator were excellent. The narrators native accent lends to the storytelling, which kept me wondering what would come next.
Fantastic listen!

Not very in depth

The book was well researched, it just didn't feel as thorough as I would have preferred. Very Irish centric, ignoring Brittany altogether and just barely touching on the Welsh.

Artfully translated and retold.

I thoroughly enjoyed the telling of each tale. Entertaining history that should not be lost to time.

yet another who can't pronounce Irish names

Im returning this. I'm only on chapter 3 but I can't stand it. The narrator seems to be Irish but is not pronouncing the names correctly. In the story of Midir and Éadaoin the Goddess' name is mispronounced over and over again. Éadaoin (Aideen) is my sister's name and is not uncommon as a contemporary name! Disappointing and annoying, defeating the purpose of the book which the author states is to bring the old stories of the Celts to a wider audience.

Pronunciation right off

Yep,noticed quite a bit of this,as well as stories running into each other making it difficult to follow.Maybe it's just me but the stories really didn't come to life.

Not really what I was expecting

About 5 hours are about Irish myth and 1 hour Welsh.
Very repetitive stories as well.

Totally regret getting it

The narration rambled on in one tone from tale to tale... By the time you realised one tale had ended you were half way through the next... Gutted i wasted a credit

North Spain is not Celtic enough for the author

What to expect from a pseudo expert that forgets to mention one of the still living key Celtic areas of Europe: Galicia, Asturias, Basc Country.

Don't bother with this book.

So far the best audio of Celtic Myth

Compared to other audiobooks I have listened to, this is the best. The narration is good, but the actual stories told are magnificent. It is important to know that it pays particular attention to Irish Mythology and touches more briefly on Welsh and Christian mythology.

Historically and geographically inaccurate

Full of inaccuracies about scotland/ireland. the most glaring was that Carslisle is in Scotland. writer may know some mythology, but doesn't know history or geography. Clueless.

very engaging

well narrated and interesting, fun stories. scope from ancient celts all the way up to christian saints

A must for Irish people or History lovers.

This book taught me a lot about my own ancestors mythology a lot I had never heard before besides the more well know children or Lir and Cuchulainn etc.

I was happy to have bought the book!

Full of lots of Irish myths and excellently compiled into a great book.

Great introduction to Celtic mythology

Really enjoyed this book, it was a very solid introduction to the topic and made it fairly understandable and accessible. Narrator was good and very easy to listen to.