The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts

by Delyth Badder, Mark Norman

An intriguing and comprehensive selection of ghost stories from Wales.

Welsh folklore is well known throughout Wales and beyond, yet little is known about its extensive collection of paranormal texts. The Folklore of Ghosts is a vast wealth of ghost stories that includes fantastical animals, flickering death omens, and unseen things that go bump in the night. Whether these tales are based on true events, or are the creations of active imaginations, is known only to those who have experienced them—but what is certain is that their power to delight and scare us remains undimmed to this day. Renowned folklorists Delyth Badder and Mark Norman (host of The Folklore Podcast ) present a captivating compilation of ghostly accounts, illuminating key themes, and giving insights into the history and culture of Wales’s varied regions and communities. With original Welsh texts, many of which have been translated into English for the first time, the authors present a wide panorama of stories and first-hand accounts that will be new to even the most seasoned folklore reader.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Folklore, Horror, Paranormal

232 pages, Hardcover

First published September 28, 2023

Reviews

[Chiara Rizzarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book on Welsh folklore, particularly the chapters on Death Omens, Spectral Beasts and Water Spirits. Highly enjoyable both for those who want to know more (and to avoid cheap, approximation information manufactured for tourists) and to those who are already knowledgeable of Welsh folklore.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the other folklore book we bought in Wales and it was a million times better. It won me over in the first couple of pages talking about the historical inaccuracies of the Victorians and their approach to folklore. It looked at the regional differences in accounts, and how the same stories changed over time. Had a ton of Welsh language sources, that were then translated into English. And just a lot of really good accounts of ghosts. Highly recommended.

[Rowena Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first non-fiction book I’ve read in a long time. I’m almost exclusively a fiction reader. So why did I pick up this book? 3 reasons; Ghosts, folklore, and Wales. Cymraes ydw i (I’m a Welsh woman) after all.

It’s a pleasant surprise to read a book about Wales that prioritises the actual place names and not the English translations. The Welsh language has been suppressed for so long that it’s almost a novelty to read the Welsh language ahead of the English translation.

This book makes a point of noting the complete history of ghost sightings in Wales, and not just the more famous stories. It goes into detail on why welsh people believe ghosts appear and how they communicate with the living.

There is also mention of other sightings of supernatural creatures, shapeshifters and fairies.

You can’t write a book on Welsh folklore without mentioning Y Mabinogion. Y Mabinogion is perhaps the most important collection of early Welsh literature, drawing on the mystical word of Celtic people.

[Rhi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts is a fascinating read of all things that go bump in the night...in Wales. It was a book I raced to pick up from the shop and I was not disappointed.

It's incredible how we have barely scratched the surface of the folklore pertaining to ghosts in Wales, with many of the stories never translated before.

I loved how the stories are put firmly back in its context within the Welsh landscape, acknowledging when societal and religious bias has changed the emphasis on the original experiences and beliefs of those who were haunted.

For example, did you know until quite recently Wales didn't have any stories about the typical bedsheet type ghost?

This book might not be for everyone. It's not what I would necessarily describe as a local interest book, but one that hints at a wider academic field that is waiting to be read in a new light.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Benjamin Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid 3.7/5 which might seem harsh: dw i'n caru cymraeg! The problem for me was that at its' worst it became a dry, almost factual account of the fantastical. At its' best, the anecdotes were tantalising yet sadly universally short-lived. I did like the way the chapters divided the book up and was hugely interested in each. I have taken a picture of the glossary because I want to learn and remember for my Welsh vocabulary all of these interesting words for Bogeys and Faeries.

[Louise Mullins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an academic study of Welsh folklore related to ghosts which includes vignettes of literature in Welsh, interpreted in English and done artwork. It describes the poetry and story vignettes in an informative way I found more appropriate for education than public interest.

[David Paul Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent piece from Delyth & Mark.
Lovely use of Welsh & English paragraphs when telling the old stories.
Recommended for lovers of folklore & myth in Britain.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Marco Gemaque · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't speak Welsh, but tbf the Welsh they speak here is very old