The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries

By: W. Y. Evans-Wentz

Narrated by: Jack Chekijian

The mysticism and fairy folklore of Celtic England, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Brittany, and Wales is explored in this production, which focuses on interviews conducted with everyday citizens about their beliefs, sightings, and encounters in the early 20th century, followed by an anthropological examination of evidence. It is an exploration of the spirit world, of the Sidhe, the "good people", who are claimed to interact mischievously with the populace - sometimes even abducting them and leaving only the victims' clothes behind, transporting them far distances, and killing their livestock.

Public Domain (P)2020 Jack Chekijian

Not for me

In short, this is very much just a text book. It is a study of stories of people that believed in fairies. Moreover, it was published in 1911.

So, interesting? Yes. But this is not the type of thing I would ever want to read on a normal day. People told me about it and since I like Irish things that I should read it. Those people don't know me at all.

Awful fake accent

I couldn’t get into the story due to the appalling fake accent. The clipped tones attempting (& failing) to sound like a ‘40s actress. Occasional slips into Irish when attempting a Scottish accent. So distracting from the story I couldn’t get into it. No one says Marks (pause) AND Spencers!

wonderful narration. Great introduction to Fairy

Though the book is of older nature having been writing in the early 1900s, the eloquence of language and indeed the exquisite narration make for an enjoyable investigation into the anthropology of the belief in Fairy in the Celtic peoples.

Hidden gem

I don’t leave reviews often but I feel this calls for one. Books filled with Celtic folklore are a dime a dozen but it’s not everyday you stumble upon a book filled with interviews of everyday people and their experiences, especially from 100+ years ago. Absolutely worth a listen, imo

Amazing narrator.

I love the way this book was both written and read. it came across both poetic and educational.

Disappoint by an old favorite classic

First of all, I love this book. I first read it about 50 years ago. It was an antiquated text then, but completely engaging. It affords much insight even as its attempts at being scientific are, well, Victorian.

My problem isn't with the text. I have also, no ill will toward the narrator who is a skilled narrator. However, he is a poor choice for this text. His Oxford accent is jarring when listening to Celtic Lore. He also frankly butchers the pronunciation of Celtic languages, especially the Gaelic. So my enjoyment is often interrupted by some jarring abuses of Celtic languages. That should have been the top priority. It spoils the experience, I'm sad to say.

A great eye witness primer of the world of fairy!

This collection of eye-witness account of fairy was written by a friend of W. B. Yeats, W.Y. Evans-Wentz. Rather than pull his material from books, Evans-Wenz toured England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland and discovered rich and charming first hand accounts of humans finding Fae in their ordinary worlds. Terrific narration by Jack Chekijian who also is the narrator of the W B. Yeats collection, The Celtic Twilight, also available through this platform.

A Thorough History of Faeries

This is an anthrological study of faery stories. It's rather interesting. Narration was at a perfect pace, not too fast or slow.

Charming and Spooky Tales From the Celtic Lands

I have this book in printed form, and had flipped through it here and there. Lots of interesting Celtic examples of fairy tradition but not much narrative. It's more of a travelogue, collecting stories as the (American) author moved from Ireland to Isle of Man to Wales to Scotland to Cornwall to Brittany.

But having heard and deeply enjoyed this narrator Jack Chekijian's reading of Yeats' "The Celtic Twilight," I gave this book a listen and it's just a tremendously soothing, deep performance. You can fall asleep to it, or you can be enthralled by daylight. (I listened to some on a long drive through the countryside and it enjoyed it immensely.)

Fascinating

very interesting, enchanting, fascinating firsthand experiences of people who lived in the early 1900s of their otherworldly encounters.