Celtic Arthurian Material by Ceridwen Lloyd-MorganThe Grail Legend in Modern Literature by John B. Marino

Abstract

io82 Reviews The same audience that requires these overviews will also want accuracy of detail, and here a few of the book's typographical errors and inconsistencies could helpfully be weeded out (Kittredge is twice cited as 'Kitteredge' (pp. I3-14), Absolon is vari ously 'Absalon' (p. I33), and 'Absalom' (p. 137)). But these minor details distract minimally from awell-targeted, and carefully structured volume that will certainly aid and encourage further study of the Tales at all levels. OXFORD ROGER DALRYMPLE Celtic Arthurian Material. Ed. by CERIDWEN LLOYD-MORGAN. (Arthurian Litera ture, 2I) Cambridge: Brewer. 2004. Viii+I4I PP. ?40; $70. ISBN I-8438 4028-6. The Grail Legend in Modern Literature. By JOHNB. MARINO. (Arthurian Studies, 59) Cambridge: Brewer. 2004. viii+ I79 pp. ?40; $8o. ISBN I-8438-4022-7. Although both these books cover Arthurian tradition, they do not overlap. Celtic Arthurian Material concentrates on Wales and theMiddle Ages; The Grail Legend inModern Literature surveys British and US fiction, poetry, and film. Their ap proach differs asmuch as their subjects. Despite contributions from abroad, Cerid wen Lloyd-Morgan's book has the somewhat inward-looking air ofWales in general and Aberystwyth (where the editor works) in particular. But Marino's is strongly Anglo-American, and alert to the exciting fantasies of Hollywood. Lloyd-Morgan begins by (rightly) criticizing non-Celticists who rely on work long discredited amongst Celticists, above all the writings of R. S. Loomis. She calls such habits 'almost unbelievable' (p. 2). Her introduction is followed by six essays on Arthur in Ireland, Wales, and Brittany. (It is a pity there were no takers formedieval Cornish drama on Arthur, discovered after the late Professor Caerwyn Williams of Aberystwyth had for years concealed the unique manuscript of it.) Anne Dooley of Toronto considers how Historia Brittonum and Arthur relate to Irish history and legend. (As regards Irish history, Ken Dark's 'AFamous Arthurian in the Sixth Cen tury?', Reading Medieval Studies, 26 (2000), 77-95, should have been mentioned.) Sioned Davies of Cardiff seeks data on performances of Culhwch and Olwen: an en terprise like the discussion of Icelandic snakes, since she admits we know 'very little' (p. 5o) about them. Helen Roberts contrasts narrative in Erec and Gereint, finding a (greater sense of realism' (p. 71) in theWelsh adaptation. Erich Poppe of Marburg thinks comparison of French and Welsh texts on Bevis and Roland suggests how the author of Owein used material inChr&tien de Troyes. Mary-Ann Constantine defends Hersart de La Villemarque (I 815-95) against charges of forgery inBarzaz-Breiz. Fi nally, the editor discusses scraps of Arthurian tradition from post-medieval Wales. These include the 'Spring of Arthur's Kitchen', which emerges near Caernarfon and tastes of flat-irons, and a sandbank off Bardsey Island where Arthur's favourite ship supposedly came to grief. Two features of the book deserve mention. One is the unusual attention paid to research done inWales, which extends to unpublished articles, theses, and even se minar papers (pp. 4, 30, 3 I, 4I, 48, 89, 102). A reviewer might (inHousman's words) praise these scholars more, were they not already busy praising one another. Equally curious is the deliberate ignoring of some research not done inWales. An unwise and short-sighted act. Lloyd-Morgan does not (alas) practise what she preaches. Finally, two absurdities. The belief (p. 30 n. 8) that Culhwch and Olwen dates from after about I I50 is preposterous. So, too, is the notion (p. 6o n. 14) that Peredur was composed inNorth Wales (which it never mentions) and not South Wales (which it does). Have MLR, 10I.4, 2006 I083 some scholars in Wales, tired of standing on their feet, begun standing on their heads, and proclaiming they are the right way up? Celtic Arthurian Material thus has limitations. It is not one of those books that change Celtic Studies for ever. It will not be read widely in Britain and the USA, especially by the non-Celticists it is allegedly meant for. It has no index or biblio graphy. Some of it is hard going. Yet inArthur and Celts it has a subject appealing to the imagination. By alerting competent scholars to new...