
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Celtic Fairy Belief, Folklore Fieldwork, and the Unseen World of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and BrittanyBy W. Y. Evans-WentzLength20h 56m
About this audiobook
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries is a pioneering study of Celtic folklore, gathering testimonies, traditions, and comparative reflections on fairies, spirits, and the unseen world in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany, Cornwall, and the Isle of Man. Written in an ethnographic yet philosophically speculative style, the book combines field interviews, philological learning, anthropology, and early twentieth-century psychical inquiry. It stands at the intersection of folklore studies, Celtic revivalism, and comparative religion, preserving oral traditions while interpreting them as evidence of a living spiritual worldview. W. Y. Evans-Wentz was an American scholar deeply influenced by Celtic studies, Theosophy, and the comparative study of religion. Educated at Stanford and Oxford, he approached folklore not merely as quaint superstition but as a serious record of human experience and metaphysical belief. His travels through Celtic regions and conversations with local informants gave the book its documentary force, while his broader religious interests shaped its interpretive ambition. This volume is recommended to readers interested in folklore, Celtic culture, religious anthropology, and the history of esoteric thought. It remains indispensable for understanding how fairy belief functioned as cosmology, memory, and cultural identity.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenrePsychology
Length20 hrs 56 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateApr 9, 2020
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
26THE RECORDED FAIRY-FAITH
2Introduction
27CHAPTER V
3Synopsis
28BRYTHONIC DIVINITIES AND THE BRYTHONIC FAIRY-FAITH [265]
4Historical Context
29SECTION II
5PREFACE
30THE RECORDED FAIRY-FAITH
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6INTRODUCTION
31CHAPTER VI
7SECTION I
32THE CELTIC OTHERWORLD [321]
8THE LIVING FAIRY-FAITH
33SECTION II
9CHAPTER I
34THE RECORDED FAIRY-FAITH
10ENVIRONMENT
35CHAPTER VII
11SECTION I
36THE CELTIC DOCTRINE OF RE-BIRTH [357]
12THE LIVING FAIRY-FAITH
37SECTION III
13CHAPTER II
38THE CULT OF GODS, SPIRITS, FAIRIES, AND THE DEAD
14THE TAKING OF EVIDENCE (pt. 1)
39CHAPTER VIII
15THE TAKING OF EVIDENCE (pt. 2)
40THE TESTIMONY OF ARCHAEOLOGY [428]
16THE TAKING OF EVIDENCE (pt. 3)
41SECTION III
17SECTION I
42THE CULT OF GODS, SPIRITS, FAIRIES, AND THE DEAD
18THE LIVING FAIRY-FAITH
43CHAPTER IX
19CHAPTER III
44THE TESTIMONY OF PAGANISM
20AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE EVIDENCE
45SECTION III
21SECTION II
46THE CULT OF GODS, SPIRITS, FAIRIES, AND THE DEAD
22THE RECORDED FAIRY-FAITH
47CHAPTER X
23CHAPTER IV
48THE TESTIMONY OF CHRISTIANITY
24THE PEOPLE OF THE GODDESS DANA (Tuatha Dé Danann) OR THE SIDHE (pronounced Shee) [219]
49SECTION IV
25SECTION II
50MODERN SCIENCE AND THE FAIRY FAITH; AND CONCLUSIONS [566]