Title
The Middle Kingdom: The Faerie World of Ireland,Used
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[Among the books I read at the Beaconsfield Public Library] I remember being impressed by Dermot MacManus' The Middle Kingdom, which had a great effect on me, and is probably one of the most influential books I've ever read', Terry Pratchett (in his 1999 talk to the Folklore Society)'No matter what one doubts,' wrote W.B.Yeats, 'one never doubts the faeries for . . . they stand to reason.' The author, an intimate friend of Yeats and a friend too of the great folklorist Douglas Hyde and the myriadminded mystic G.W.Russell ('A.E.'), was a staunch believer in 'the ancient and continuing spirit life of the countryside'. Writing not as a folklorist but as a historian, Diarmuid MacManus records in factual detail many manifestations of the Irish faery world early in the twentieth century. He tells how the Thornhill fairy appeared to two sisters in their room, and the Mount Leinster fairy to a young woman as she was taking the cows home, and a young girl tried to pat the Wicklow pooka as it walked beside her, but her hand went right through it. This is a strikingly persuasive book, tackling in a serious and intelligent manner a subject that has a strong romantic appeal. The author set out to write the book with certain principles in mind: first, that a central character in each incident was still alive at the time the book was first published (in 1959); second, that he could vouch for their reliability; and third, that each agreed to stand up, if asked, and vouch for the truth of the experience. Except in a few instances, those telling the stories had been friends of the author for many years. Since its publication forty years ago it has retained its uniqueness as the only collection of true Irish fairy tales.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Middle Kingdom: The Faerie World of Ireland'? A: The main theme of the book revolves around the exploration of Irish folklore and the faerie world, as documented by the author, Dermot MacManus. It provides a historical perspective on the beliefs and experiences related to faeries in early twentieth-century Ireland.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'The Middle Kingdom: The Faerie World of Ireland' is Dermot MacManus, who was a close friend of notable figures such as W.B. Yeats and Douglas Hyde.
- Q: When was 'The Middle Kingdom' originally published? A: 'The Middle Kingdom: The Faerie World of Ireland' was originally published in 1959.
- Q: What makes this book unique among fairy tale collections? A: This book is unique as it is the only collection of true Irish fairy tales, focusing on factual accounts and firsthand experiences of faeries, as recounted by individuals known to the author.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book consists of 192 pages.
- Q: What is the binding style of this book? A: The binding style of 'The Middle Kingdom: The Faerie World of Ireland' is paperback.
- Q: Is this book suitable for readers interested in folklore? A: Yes, the book is suitable for readers interested in folklore, history, and the mystical aspects of Irish culture, as it presents detailed narratives about the faerie world.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is in new condition.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: The available edition of the book is the second revised edition.
- Q: Does the book include illustrations or photographs? A: The product details do not specify whether the book includes illustrations or photographs.