The People of the Sea: Celtic Tales of the Seal-folk (Canons) - Softcover

Thomson, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0857861859 ISBN 13: 9780857861856

Publisher: Canongate Canons, 2011

Synopsis

David Thomson visited the remote sea coasts of the Scottish Isles and the West of Ireland on journeys in search of the legends of the selchies - mythological creatures who transform from seals into humans.

A magical world emerged, in which men are rescued by seals in stormy seas, take seal-women for their wives and have their children suckled by seal-mothers. Mysterious and fascinating, these stories retain their spell-binding charm through Thomson's beautiful prose. The People of the Sea is a timeless and haunting book, rich in rewards and surprises.

About this title

Review:

"Readers will be carried away on successive waves of pleasure . . . these stories have an irresistible holistic beauty" (Seamus Heaney)

"A splendid resurrection of a life that has almost vanished" (Daily Telegraph)

"I know of few books which so ably open a window on the Gaelic scene today or which so faithfully reflect the mind, vigour and courtesy of its people . . . Pounds on the imagination like surf on a reef" (The Observer)

Book Description:

With an introduction by Seamus Heaney

About this edition

• Publisher: Canongate Canons
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0857861859
• ISBN 13: 9780857861856
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304