Narrated By: Richard Mitchley
Publisher: Ukemi Audiobooks
Age: Adult
Genre: Classics – Medieval – Mythology
Format: Audiobook
Published: February 7th, 2017
Goodreads
Rating: 3/5 Stars
This is not my first experience of The Mabinogion, and it’s definitely not going to be my last, but it’s the first time I have got through the whole thing. When I tried in the past, I got quickly and easily confused. Not much changed with this version, but the narrator had a very pleasant voice to listen to and I followed along as best as I could.
I wanted to attempt Lady Charlotte Guest’s version as it’s one of the better known ones, but I was left feeling very much like it’s heavily influenced by Guest’s own nineteenth-century views and beliefs. There is a lot to digest in this, and in this version at least it’s not very accessible. There are endless names and a lot of repetition. I unfortunately found myself zoning out here and there, which meant I lost a bit of what was happening while listening.
What I did find interesting were the familiar names and stories that are threaded through here, and it’s definitely made me interested in digging further into The Mabinogion, but in a different way. There are certain elements I think I’ll enjoy more in a different format, and hopefully other translations aren’t as heavy.
I remain glad I have finally got around to reading this, and I do look forward to exploring The Mabinogion in the future, but my suggestion if you’re intrigued is to stick with a more up to date translation, or even do what I wish I’d done prior to reading and pick up The Mab, which contains 11 stories from the Mabinogi in a way that is designed for children, so which should make it much more accessible – and something I definitely, really plan on doing now!
Reading Challenge
Disney Reading Challenge 2024
Prompt: Gaston – As a specimen, yes, I’m intimidating – a book that intimidates you
Progress: 11/40 Completed
Unwrapping Words 