Twilight of the Celtic Gods

[Sìle]

by Anne Ross, David Clarke, and Andy Roberts
ISBN: 0713725222

I was wondering if anyone else has read this book, and what their thoughts might be.

I was a bit wary of it, believing the authors perhaps pick n' mixing their folkloric tales to suit their theory. There were some very interesting personal accounts, some very similar to experiences encountered by people I have met and one account that mimicked an experience of my own.

I am unsure, though, as to their interpretations of these incidents and I wondered how this book was perceived by others.

Cheers,
Webwitch ;D

[Blackbird]

I've not actually read it - for a while, it seemed to go out of print and I couldn't find a copy at a reasonable price. However, someone I know was included in the book and I think they were pleased with the end result.

[littleraven]

I have it, it's worth having but I couldn't consider it indispensible. I would say it's definately worth a read, it's a long time since I read it though. Check the library.

For some reason, Americans in particular seemed to love it, perhaps along with the Carmina Gadelica, the idea of some kind of unbroken tradition from their 'homelands' is attractive. I have generally found locally produced folkore books to often have more of value in them.

I did notice a fair few groups spring up after the book, claiming unbroken traditions for xxxx number of years. Did the book allow them an avenue to publicise themselves, or did it give dubious groups a role model? I know of some groups who became more secretive in response though - to hide their inadequecies or to protect their lore? Caveat emptor. In fact a friend of mine who is a tv producer has just interviewed someone making this very claim. I'm due a critique viewing prior to editing, I'll let you know.

[Sìle]

Well, I bought it and read it and here's what I think:

I bought this book as it was considered the antithesis of all that Professor Ronald Hutton pronounced about there being no continuous survival of pagan traditions in the British Isles.

The authors rely on testimony from unnamed interviewees living in the Peak District, the Dales and parts of Scotland. I have to say as much as I can respect these witnesses wanting to remain anonymous, it does give the book an air of "a friend of a friend" type tales. It is even stranger that none of the practices to which the sources testify have ever been written down in this modern age, despite the authors' assertions that these areas remained isolated from the rest of Britain.

The book covers a number of different practices, such as veneration of stones, wells, rivers and trees. It also delves into local folklore and the strong links people in certain areas of Britain have with the celtic landscape, at least up until ten years ago, and it showed how, at times, incomers were rebuked for disturbing areas of importance.

I enjoyed the book and admired the authors attempts to offer proof of a continuous tradition of honouring the spirit of the land, but I had real difficulty in believing the proof being offered; I'd need more evidence to be convinced. What's more, I was not in this country at the time that various television programmes, mentioned several times in the book, were broadcast. I wanted to believe, but, for me, the links were tenuous at best.

The book was written in an easy and comfortable style, the photographs were good if a bit scarce.

"Twilight of the Celtic Gods" could have been so much more, but I think the authors approach from a folkloric, rather than purely academic approach may have hindered them. For those using Twilight of the Celtic Gods as a criticism of Prof. Ronald Hutton's work, its flimsy indeed.


I will keep the book for future reference, I am just not sure why.