The Battle of the Birds and Other Celtic Tales

Celtic mythology goes very far back in time. Gods and heroes are near each other, as in classical mythology. The heroes die, the gods are conquered by the new faith, though they are never wholly banished, nor are the heroes forgotten. Here we are led into a magic country, and we must accept people and events as they come, and not ask too many questions. All the people in this book live on the borders of magic - king and fisherman, prince, farmer, and miller. Birds and animals are man’s friends, and no one ever thinks to question the mutual understanding in language. The feminist element in these stories is surprisingly strong. The hero plays his part very well - up to a point. But he is often just a little stupid, or is set some impossible task, and has to be rescued or helped by the faithful girl. This is a magic world where it is easy to suspend disbelief. Marion Lochhead leads us into this world, and we are quite happy to lose ourselves in it.