
Otherworld
Nine Tales of Wonder and Romance from Medieval Ireland
Lisa M. Bitel(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 23. January 2025
Book
Hardback
248 pages
978-0-19-760061-0 (ISBN)
Description
Nine tales of early Irish literature beautifully retold in a modern, evocative style
A mysterious woman appears nightly at the bedside of a prince and sings to him until he falls sick with love for her. A determined hero tracks his beloved through several incarnations, struggling to win her back. A young warrior seeks a woman who turns into a swan. These are the plots of little-known, anonymous tales composed over a thousand years ago in the monastic libraries of Ireland. In poetry and prose, they tell us what happens when human and supernatural lovers cross the boundaries between our world and the Otherworld (sid). Set in a lost time of heroes, demi-gods, warrior queens, and other folk of the Irish Otherworld (aes side), these stories inspired some of the earliest fairy tales of France and England. What is more, they are sexier, funnier, and bloodier than better-known medieval myths and romances.
In Otherworld, historian and novelist Lisa M. Bitel offers lively retellings of these Irish original myths using her expertise in Irish history and literature to guide modern readers. She traces themes and characters that link the nine magical tales, explains customs and locations, and brings out the humor. Like all storytellers--whether medieval or modern, performers or scribes--Bitel interprets the originals as she leads her readers over the boundary of reality to the Otherworld. Drawings especially created for the book by Saba Joshaghani accompany these astonishing tales.
A mysterious woman appears nightly at the bedside of a prince and sings to him until he falls sick with love for her. A determined hero tracks his beloved through several incarnations, struggling to win her back. A young warrior seeks a woman who turns into a swan. These are the plots of little-known, anonymous tales composed over a thousand years ago in the monastic libraries of Ireland. In poetry and prose, they tell us what happens when human and supernatural lovers cross the boundaries between our world and the Otherworld (sid). Set in a lost time of heroes, demi-gods, warrior queens, and other folk of the Irish Otherworld (aes side), these stories inspired some of the earliest fairy tales of France and England. What is more, they are sexier, funnier, and bloodier than better-known medieval myths and romances.
In Otherworld, historian and novelist Lisa M. Bitel offers lively retellings of these Irish original myths using her expertise in Irish history and literature to guide modern readers. She traces themes and characters that link the nine magical tales, explains customs and locations, and brings out the humor. Like all storytellers--whether medieval or modern, performers or scribes--Bitel interprets the originals as she leads her readers over the boundary of reality to the Otherworld. Drawings especially created for the book by Saba Joshaghani accompany these astonishing tales.
Reviews / Votes
The Celtic corpus of fantastic legends is undersung, compared to classical myths. In Otherworld, Lisa M Bitel's light-footed retellings do justice to the stories strangeness as well as their earthy wit. * Marina Warner, Books of the Year 2024, New Statesman * A joyous, entertaining selection of some of Ireland's oldest - and less well known - stories. Just great. * Eilis Ni Dhuibhne , Irish Times * [Bitel's] deft prose makes the story action come alive. She combines lyricism with accessibility. The tales reward a slow and careful read to appreciate the vivid imagery and richness of language... This book proves a great primer in Irish mythology as we are introduced to many of the main players. * Olivia Armstrong, Fortean Times * Otherworld' is a celebration of Ireland's mystic past. Bitel brings these stories to life with her insight and interpretive flair in her dual role of academic historian and storyteller. Whether you're a folklorist, a fantasy lover, or simply curious about the roots of European fairy tales, 'Otherworld' offers a compelling journey into a realm where love and magic defy the boundaries of time. * B.C. Kennedy, Gramarye Journal *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Illustrations
12 line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 213 mm
Width: 143 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
396 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-760061-0 (9780197600610)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2024
OUP eBook
€18.49
Available for download

E-Book
09/2024
OUP eBook
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Lisa M. Bitel discovered the magical literature of early Ireland while studying at Harvard University and later University College Dublin. Since then, she has written or edited six books and many articles about medieval Europe, focused on Ireland, gender, or the history of Christianity before 1000 C.E. She teaches at the University of Southern California and makes frequent trips to Ireland.
Author
Dean's Professor of Religion and Professor of HistoryDean's Professor of Religion and Professor of History, University of Southern California
Content
Contents
Introductions 1. The First Tale: Echtra Chonnlae -- The Adventure of Connlae
2. The Second Tale: Tochmarc Etaine -- The Courtship of Etain
3. The Third Tale: Aislinge Oenguso -- The Dream of Oengus
4. The Fourth Tale: Tochmarc Becfhola -- The Courtship of Becfola
5. The Fifth Tale: Echtrae Nerai -- The Adventure of Nera
6. The Sixth Tale: Tain Bo Froich -- The Cattle-raid of Froech
7. The Seventh Tale: Tochmarc Emire -- The Courtship of Emer
8. The Eighth Tale: Aided Derbhfhorghaill -- The Death of Derb Forgaill
9. The Ninth Tale: Serglige Cu Chulainn -- The Sick Bed of Cu Chulainn Afterwords
Translations and Editions
Suggestions for Further Reading
Introductions 1. The First Tale: Echtra Chonnlae -- The Adventure of Connlae
2. The Second Tale: Tochmarc Etaine -- The Courtship of Etain
3. The Third Tale: Aislinge Oenguso -- The Dream of Oengus
4. The Fourth Tale: Tochmarc Becfhola -- The Courtship of Becfola
5. The Fifth Tale: Echtrae Nerai -- The Adventure of Nera
6. The Sixth Tale: Tain Bo Froich -- The Cattle-raid of Froech
7. The Seventh Tale: Tochmarc Emire -- The Courtship of Emer
8. The Eighth Tale: Aided Derbhfhorghaill -- The Death of Derb Forgaill
9. The Ninth Tale: Serglige Cu Chulainn -- The Sick Bed of Cu Chulainn Afterwords
Translations and Editions
Suggestions for Further Reading