The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries

Rating:
Summary: Anyone interested in the Faery Faith must read this book.
Review: "The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries" is written by W.Y. Evans-Wentz, the same scholar who brought us "The Tibetan Book of the Dead". Evans-Wentz gathered the information for this book at the turn of the century. He travelled extensively in Ireland, Scotland, Britain, Wales and Brittany, interviewing those who had enjoyed close encounters of the third kind with the Fair Folk or who knew those who had first hand dealing with the Shining People. "The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries" is a source document non-pareil and an absolute must read for anyone with a serious interest in the Faery Faith.

Rating:
Summary: not much to add
Review: ...to what others have said.

There is no book on this subject I have found that equals it.
This is a testament in itself, as this was first published around 1890.

Wentz was an academic, a scholar, yet in early chapters his descriptions of each area of the Isles is breathtaking. It's not dry, it's not stuffy. He spent years collecting encounters, traditions, and beliefs from the most correct source. The people themselves. This contrasts rightfully the tendancy (even more so these days with anything Celtic especially) to project things onto a culture it does not contain. No frilly, watered down, ... little creatures at your beck and call here, which is what other "authors" would have you believe.
For some, the latter chapters of this book will seem a bit dry compared to the first. Regardless of what you think of his theories, they are all intriguing, and well thought out by the author, though I agree he became a bit enchanted himself during the writing. (not a bad thing, IMO, I was enchanted as well) The collection of tales alone is worth the price. I enjoyed every page.

This should be on the shelf of anyone who says they want to learn about Faeries, Celts, and the cultures they came from.
Why read what any old outsider says? Read the words of the people who were born and raised in these cultures. They know themselves better than anyone else, no?

Rating:
Summary: Magnifique!
Review: I've always wanted to read about faeries and this book just brought it home. It brings you into that mystical world and helps you examine them and truly believe in them. Beautiful, beautiful work.

Rating:
Summary: Pleased in Denver
Review: My mother sent me this book (I asked for a book with history and
tells of the Fairy) and yes this was a great book to receive. Very old and wisely written and has given me more then I expected. A must book for those interested in "Fairy Lore".

Rating:
Summary: this is ok
Review: this book takes you into the world of celtic folklore and their ties with faeries. for fairy lovers this book is a must, and for anyone hoping to know a little more about our little friends this is a good start. a great read for the first time fairy reader as well as the expert

Rating:
Summary: One of a kind
Review: This book was written in the early twentieth century, and my opinion is that no faery book has yet been written to equal it. Evans-Wentz was a sophisticated scholar, and yet treated faery beliefs with the utmost of respect, and even devoted a chapter to scientific and psychological findings that render such beliefs valid. Without looking down his nose on anyone (except maybe stuffy fellow scholars who lost their imagination somewhere along the line), he reports stories of faery encounters in every Celtic nation. He interviewed great numbers of Celtic people in his travels, and collected a vast treasure trove of tales. These range from firsthand accounts to "a friend of a friend" legends to stories handed down through the generations.

After presenting a mass of information on the modern faery faith, he goes on to relate the ancient faery beliefs held by the Celts of old, as recorded in their mythology. Many pages are devoted to the adventures of CuChulainn, Arthur, Bran, and other figures who moved in and out of the Otherworld. He also discusses the Otherworld itself, the misty land where the faeries, the gods, and the dead dwelled. Especially stunning is his assertion that the Celts participated in mysteries much like those of Eleusis. The mythological evidence IS THERE, as Evans-Wentz proves. I only wish someone in those days had written something down to indicate whether or not this is true!

This is the best book ever written on the fae, IMHO. It ought to be on every Celtophile's shelf right next to Squire's _Celtic Myth and Legend_. As a matter of fact, the two books make excellent companions for one another.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This is one of better historic reseach on faerie tradtion.Evans has been doing his homework by collecting infomation on celtic tradtions which is useful and lots of good infomation and one of best referances on celtic tradtions.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely essential
Review: This is THE book for anyone interested in Celtic Faery Faith. Evans-Wentz did a lot of field work at the turn of the century before so much was lost in the modern onslaught. There is stuff here that you won't find anywhere else. Long out of print, I'm delighted to see it come back. If you only buy one book on the Faery Faith, make this one it!

Rating:
Summary: Basic Book for Your Folklore Shelf
Review: Walter Evans-Wentz set out to write this book as his dissertation, at the dawn of academic anthropology. Along the way, he became more than a little entranced. Still, Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries is one of the best, and most important, scholarly works on the topic, and I strongly recommend it. Don't get sucked into buying a lot of phoney 'fairies-with-wings' junk. The real deal is much more interesting. Stick to Rev. Kirk, Peter Narvaez, K.M. Briggs, Sir John Rhys, and Evans-Wentz, and you'll be on the right track.