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The Mabinogion
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
It is one of the great mysteries of human nature. Why are some people worriers, and others wanderers? Why are some people so easy-going and laid-back, while others are always looking for a fight? Written by Daniel Nettle--author of the popular book Happiness--this brief volume takes the reader on an exhilarating tour of what modern science can tell us about human personality. Revealing that our personalities stem from our biological makeup, Nettle looks at the latest findings from genetics and brain science, and considers the evolutionary origins and consequences of different personalities. The heart of the book sheds light on the "big five": Extraversion, Neuroticism, Conscientious, Agreeableness, and Openness. Using a stimulating blend of true-life stories and scientific research, Nettle explains why we have something deep and consistent within us that determines the choices we make and situations we bring about. He addresses such questions as why members of the same family differ so markedly in their natures? What is the best personality to have--a bold one or a shy one, an aggressive one or a meek one? And are you stuck with your personality, or can you change it? Life, Nettle concludes, is partly the business of finding a niche where your personality works for you. "It is a question of choosing the right pond," he notes, "and being mindful of the dangers." There is no ideal personality to have. Every disposition brings both advantages and disadvantages. Full of human wisdom as well as scientific insight, this book illuminates the pluses and minuses of personality, offering practical advice about living with the nature you were born with. It even includes a questionnaire so that you can assess yourself.
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review
Burpito
Mabinogion | Anonymous
Mehso-so

Um it's knights in brocaded silk roaming around and bedding maidens and killing earls and plucking the beard hairs off of strong men while they're knocked out (followed by killing them?). It's kind of a mess but don't worry, every maiden is the most beautiful woman possible: skin as white as a swan's ass, lips redder than the reddest blood, hair as blonde as broom flowers?, wearing brocaded silk, snow white booba, eyes like beautiful eyes-

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rabbitprincess
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
Pickpick

This is not a light read but an interesting one for those who like mythology, Wales, and/or Arthurian legends -- it's interesting to compare these tellings with the other ones I know. Check out the explanatory notes too; they are a big help.

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rabbitprincess
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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A couple of tales in The Mabinogion mention people making fancy shoes out of cordovan leather. This information unexpectedly came in handy while doing the crossword 🤓✏️

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rabbitprincess
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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My goal for the #CYOReadathon: finish The Mabinogion! (Hey, that almost rhymed!)

Sace I finally had to just Google this title since Litsy kept telling me I had a slow connection.... Anyhoo, it sounds like an interesting read! 4y
Andrew65 How did I miss this readathon? 4y
rabbitprincess @Sace It is, but one I have to read in chunks! I am already thinking I jinxed myself by saying this would be my goal 😂😂 4y
26 likes3 comments
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Verba Docent
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
Mehso-so

This is the source of much of Welsh folklore and mythology. I appreciate that immensely. Some of the tales are excellent and genuinely fun to read. Others are somewhat boring and bogged down by long lists of names and genealogies. This is not uncommon in older works and I try to ignore it stylistically. If one were to pick and choose stories, skipping some, the reading would be more enjoyable.

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gtimps
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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I love this section from ‘Culhwch ac Olwen‘:
“He had a battle-axe in his hand... it would draw blood from the wind. His steed‘s four hoofs would cut out four clods, like four swallows in the air above him. Not even a tip of a hair on him stirred, so light was his steed‘s canter beneath him on his way to the gate of Arthur‘s court”. 💕🤓📜📝 #phdlife

rockpools Welcome to Litsy- I'm sure you'll feel at home here 😊! Why have I still not read this?! And your library sounds AMAZING! 6y
gtimps @RachelO Thank you, I don‘t know why I haven‘t been here before! I think the Mabinogion has to be read in little chunks, some of it is hard work but there are gorgeous moments like this one too 6y
15 likes1 stack add2 comments
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rabbitprincess
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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Some Welsh and Irish tales for #uncannyoctober day 3: fables and folklore.

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BookInMyHands
Mabinogion | Anonymous
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Here‘s a mini #shelfie with our oldest Everyman titles ❤️. I love the intricate decorations on the spines.

#RiotGrams

ju.ca.no gorgeous! 6y
Chachic Gorgeous!📚📚📚 6y
45 likes2 comments
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Brie
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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Pickpick

A dreamy, enchanting mix of Celtic mythology, Arthurian romance, British history, and even some fairy tale elements are combined in this collection of medieval Welsh stories. Magical cauldrons, a lady made out of flowers, people turned into mice, fearsome dragons, and meddlesome witches abound.

[DELETED] 3803335244 Oh you had me at witches! This sounds awesome 7y
Louise Sounds excellent! To the TBR it goes! 7y
Louise Ha! The description of this book in the @Litsy database appears to be for a completely different book! 7y
See All 9 Comments
MinDea I love this book. I had to read it in college and I had so kuch fun reading it 7y
Cinfhen @TrishB this might be for you! 7y
TrishB @Cinfhen 👍 sounds fab! 7y
LeeRHarry I love these stories 💕 7y
RohitSawant Great review! Sounds fascinating, stacked! 7y
JazzFeathers I read it a long time ago and l remember very little. But l think l remember living the Arthurian stories better than the others 7y
68 likes7 stack adds9 comments
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Brie
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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Who could've known, murdering a woman's husband might possibly hurt the odds of beginning a relationship with that woman...

TobeyTheScavengerMonk He probably reckoned that it turned out just fine for King David in the Bible. 7y
51 likes2 comments
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rabbitprincess
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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Welsh book haul, part 1. Bought this at the National Museum of Wales.

LauraBrook So envious you're in Wales! Looks like a great edition of The Mabinogion! 7y
Melissa_J Where are you visiting while in Wales? If you get the chance, I recommend Caerphilly Castle. It's only a short trip outside Cardiff (I love castles). 7y
rabbitprincess @LauraBrook Yes! They also had a paperback Oxford's World Classics edition, but this one looked nicer 😄 @Melissa_J Caerphilly was on the list but we won't have time. Today we're visiting Cardiff Castle, and tomorrow is a day trip to the Gower Peninsula. 😄 7y
26 likes3 comments
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BaneOfTechnology
The Mabinogion | Jeffrey Gantz

In "How Culhwch Won Olwen", there are literally 9pgs dedicated to envoking a list of names, from old gods, King Authur's ancestors, to a pig keeper who was Really good at his job.
It's a long list but worth reading through, I can only imagine how it sounded when the story was passed on orally

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I-read-and-eat
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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The Mabinogion is a collection of medieval Welsh stories. Sioned Davies' translation is amazing! I have studied all of these stories in Uni and they are beautiful. If you love tales like Beowulf or The Volsung Saga you will love these as well. This collection also contains early Welsh versions of Chretien de Troyes' Arthurian Romances. And the earliest Arthurian tale Culwch ac Olwen! These stories have a special place in my heart.

saresmoore Neat! And a lovely photo. 7y
Kalalalatja Great photo! 👌 7y
gibblr Pretty! 7y
Moray_Reads Lovely photo 7y
56 likes6 stack adds5 comments
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TK-421
Mabinogion | Anonymous
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I loved the Inkheart books so I have high hopes for Dragon Rider. I haven't read the Mabinogion yet, but it's in the queue. I have quite a few books of myths, legends, folktales, etc. that I'm working my way through! I enjoyed Legends of Ancient Egypt, although it wasn't as fun as some of the other mythology books I've read. I probably have other #TranslatedBooks, but these were the first that sprang to mind! #somethingforsept #septphotochallenge

Dooeyrinch Phooey! 6y
13 likes1 comment
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Grrlbrarian
The Mabinogion | Lady Charlotte Guest
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Spending the weekend curled up with an original edition of this beauty. She's awfully fragile - but so would I be at 106 or so. Loving these Welsh tales of chivalry!

LeeRHarry Da iawn!! Must get around to reading this myself at some stage 😊 8y
Jess_Read_This Ohhh! How lovely! 8y
MrBook Wow! 😊👍🏻 8y
29 likes3 comments
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FishTurner
The Mabinogion | Sioned Davies
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I watched an episode of The Secret Life of Books that was all about the Mabinogion, and now I'm excited to read it. Not exactly a summer read, but the hey!

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darthmoll
The Mabinogion | Jeffrey Gantz
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I was a total nerd for Arthur stories as a young'un and I always wanted to read this but never managed to. So I picked it for WORD's classics book group (this is the year of international classics). We'll see if anyone shows up! (This is Molly Code for WHAT HAVE I DONE.)

skrishna I would totally show up and read this if I were local. I have a similar history with this book--Arthur fanatic, always wanted to read it but never did. 8y
darthmoll @skrishna I wish you could! It's kind of a slog, though. Gets better toward the end! 8y
2 likes2 stack adds2 comments