The Mabinogion, Volume 1
Anonymoustranslated Bycharlotte Guest
Read by Martin Geeson
Sample a moment of magic realism from the Red Book of Hergest:
On one side of the river he saw a flock of white sheep, and on the other a flock of black sheep. And whenever one of the white sheep bleated, one of the black sheep would cross over, and become white; and when one of the black sheep bleated, one of the white sheep would cross over, and become black.
Before passing on to the Mabinogion proper, Lady Charlotte Guest devotes Volume I of her compilation of medieval Welsh tales to three brief romances of Arthur’s Court. The centrepiece is the story of Peredur, the Dumb Youth – known elsewhere as Perceval, Parzifal, the Holy Fool, et al.
This is the violent world of satin-clad knights and their clashing encounters, peremptory slayings of giants and cave-dwelling monsters – a world where love is as sudden and final as death. (Introduction by Martin Geeson) (4 hr 52 min)
Chapters
The Lady of the Fountain | 25:30 | Read by Martin Geeson |
Then the horn for washing was sounded... | 21:20 | Read by Martin Geeson |
Luned set out, under the pretence... | 16:25 | Read by Martin Geeson |
And as Owain one day sat at meat... | 28:29 | Read by Martin Geeson |
Peredur the Son of Evrawc | 20:49 | Read by Martin Geeson |
And Peredur rode forward | 26:17 | Read by Martin Geeson |
And the next day Peredur rode forth... | 19:49 | Read by Martin Geeson |
And the first night Peredur came to Caerlleon... | 16:54 | Read by Martin Geeson |
Arthur was in Caerlleon... | 19:40 | Read by Martin Geeson |
And the next day Peredur set forth... | 13:08 | Read by Martin Geeson |
Arthur was at Caerlleon upon Usk... | 15:42 | Read by Martin Geeson |
Then Peredur rode forward | 19:23 | Read by Martin Geeson |
The Dream of Rhonabwy | 15:09 | Read by Martin Geeson |
After this they saw a troop... | 18:10 | Read by Martin Geeson |
And Arthur and Owain marvelled... | 15:46 | Read by Martin Geeson |
Reviews
A LibriVox Listener
The title is really misleading. This is not the Mabinogion at all. It's the tales that a translator added. This is the preface volume before she got to the Mabinogion, and the volumes that include the Mabinogion aren't on Librivox.
Incredible reading
Clover
Martin Geeson's reading is absolutely wonderful - really stunning. The stories are enchanting. As another reviewer said, they're more of a series of magical tableaux than page turners. Geeson's reading really emphasises the wonder and beauty of the tales, savouring them rather than rushing through the text. As was also mentioned by another reviewer, they'd make perfect bed time reading. Highly recommend giving them a listen, whether the stories are new to you or old, familiar friends.
enigmatic
katamorrow
Geeson’s reading is spot on and his welsh pronunciation alone is worth a listen. This is not a page turner so much as a series of surreal tableaux from the age of chivalry. The stately pace of narration creates a mystical mood. Good for bed time with the sleep timer.
The reader has uplifted the tales with dramatised style
Khasha
I have long enjoyed listening to these olden Welsh folklore fairy tales read by Martin Geeson. ps : please read many other novels with dramatised style and the exotic accent of yours.
Great!
Nikki
Love these tales, and Martin Geeson is always perfect.
wonderful
A LibriVox Listener
gift to be able to hear
Jeremy Romine
Great narration . fits the bill.
Viktor Sylva
Clear narration and awesome epic histories!