Irish Fairy Tales

About this book

A king pursues a mysterious deer into the forest; a poet listens to stories older than any kingdom. Giants, enchanted women and warriors cross paths in the mythic Ireland of Finn and the Fianna.

James Stephens brings wit and unusual psychological tenderness to retellings drawn from Irish legend. Arthur Rackham's illustrations give the forests, creatures and transformations a life of their own. The stories can turn abruptly from comedy to melancholy, and even their most heroic characters are allowed to be foolish. Their enchantment comes from the changing moods as much as from the magic.