The Banshee: The Irish Supernatural Death Messenger

by Patricia Lysaght

trade 1st edition paperback new

Genres: Folklore, Nonfiction, Ireland, Mythology, School, History, Supernatural

433 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Koyote · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this doing research when it was first out in hardcover. Re-read it in 2004 as part of an ongoing inquiry into the exchange between folk tales and literary fairy tales.

[Narelle Mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent resource which covers tradition as well as the changing attitudes towards the banshee's presence. Comprehensive coverage of oral and written sources, folk stories, early writings and recent fieldwork. A must for anyone interested in folklore.

[James Konkol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although thorough in its analysis of the data, the book lacks in the qualities of good, compelling writing. A too positivistic approach was taken regarding the folk subject, failing to tell a cohesive story through the data.

[Geof Sage · Rating 2 out of 5]

an entirely too large number of maps

[Padraic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically a romp through the Irish Folklore Commission's binders of oral histories done in the 1930's and 1940's - if it dealt with a banshee, it's in here.

A stray reference in the notes made me realize banshee stories migrated into the coal valleys of Pennsylvania, and survived into the mid-20th century.

In our house growing up in the 1960s, my mother would still refer to anyone towelling off wet hair as "looking like a banshee."

We are civilized about one inch deep.