♥Children's Book of the Month: July 2024♥
(suggested) reading age: 10+
(suggested) interest age: 7+ (with adult helping)
Illustrations: Valériane Leblond https://www.valeriane-leblond.eu/home.html
When the first volume, Pedair Cainc Y Mabinogi, (available as Welsh and English versions) was published, it made quite an impression. In fact, it won the Tir na n-Og Awards in 2016 – you can’t really make much more of an impression! Well, after a long wait, the follow-up to that award-winning volume is now available, and the second instalment promises even more of what made the first so special.
To begin with, we’ve got to talk about the book itself. This is what I call a 'proper book!' The hardback cover gives the sense of substance and high quality; this is not a book to be read once and then discarded! No, a book like this is something that ought to be appreciated, treasured and eventually passed on within families. This is the kind of book that a child (or indeed an adult) can return to again and again. And who better to decorate the cover than one of our most beloved artists- Valériane Leblond. She may have come from France originally, but Wales has definitely adopted her as one of our own. Valériane's drawings/style are very well recognisable, and they certyaibly capture the ancient magic and mystery of the Mabinogi. Put these gorgeous iluustrations together with Siân Lewis' words, and you've got the perfect combination.
If you asked me to go about introducing the Mabinogi to a new generation of readers, I probably wouldn't know where to start. The author, Siân Lewis, however, is well versed in how to do this, having authored several other similar books. In fact, the Mabinogi has received a fair amount of attention from publishers in recent years, so what makes this volume different? This time, the author has been given the freedom and space to tell the stories in a very complete and comprehensive way. Simplified versions of the stories already exist, but in order to simplify, one has to cut, and in doing so, something is inevitably lost. Although there are 'only' three stories included, the Story of Culhwch and Olwen, the Story of Lludd a Llefelys and Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig, do not be deceived as there’s plenty to be getting on with which will keep you reading for a good while! The story of Culhwch ac Olwen especially, is a very long and strange one, and best enjoyed over several readings.
The stories themselves are varied and evergreen; as relevant now as when they were first recited and written down. Now, however, reader expectations are very high in terms of how books should look and feel. I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed by this beautiful and luxurious volume.
Romance, revenge, violence, excitement, adventure, battle, giants, wizards and dragons -the Mabinogi contain a little bit of everything- what more does anyone want?
A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Books Council of Wales.
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