Táin Bó Cúailnge, frequently referred to as the Táin, is one of the most important works of medieval Irish literature and has been called the national epic of Ireland. This new, judiciously abridged translation of the Táin renders the text in an approachable, colloquial style that nevertheless maintains enough accuracy to support close reading. This edition also contextualizes the Táin itself with numerous selections from the rest of the so-called Ulster Cycle—the related body of legends about the characters of the Táin, including accounts of their origins and their deaths.
Also included are a full introduction; extensive footnotes, drawing on the most recent scholarship on the Táin, that provide clarifications, explanations, and background information; four maps showing the sites of major events in the epic; and a series of character trees to help readers keep track of the Táin’s large cast of characters and their often complex interrelationships, among other valuable resources.
Comments
“Matthieu Boyd is one of the best young scholars in the field of medieval Celtic studies today. His accessible rendering of one of the classics of medieval Irish literature, accompanied by detailed introduction, copious notes, and translations of other relevant texts, is bound to be read and used by many scholars, students, and general readers interested in Irish heroic saga and the fascinating world, both real and imagined, it reflects.” — Joseph Falaky Nagy, Harvard University
“Matthieu Boyd’s multilayered presentation of this epic text—enriched by maps, family trees, short prequels, and tales of the Táin’s ‘aftermath’—offers the reader a vivid glimpse into the universe of this extraordinary narrative cycle. The translation is accessible and student-friendly, with a colloquial, spontaneous tone that makes the mythic past feel immediate while also acknowledging the historical distance that separates us from the ancient days of Maeve and Cú Chulainn. The Táin shines here as a work of World Literature, while the detailed notes will satisfy even the most enthusiastic budding Celticist.” — Suzanne Akbari, Institute for Advanced Study
“A mesmerizing version of the Táin, complete with historical and geographical information that is essential for the modern student. … The Táin is … here rendered with elegance and wit for fortunate contemporary audiences.” — Bonnie Wheeler, Southern Methodist University
“[Matthieu] Boyd's efforts have yielded a rich harvest, inviting, indeed, the public to engage more deeply with this famous text, foundational for early medieval Irish culture. ... I can only give praise to Boyd for his impressive effort with this major body of old Irish texts. One quickly recognizes that the book grew out of a long-term effort over years of teaching those texts and now offers all the essential help and guidance to allow the reader to find a fairly easy way into ... the Táin. ... This is the kind of textbook we need for our modern classes on medieval literature.” — Albrecht Classen, Mediaevistik
