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Heroes of the Gael - by  Natasha Sumner (Hardcover) - 1 of 1

Heroes of the Gael - by Natasha Sumner (Hardcover)

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Highlights

  • The evolution of the Fenian tradition of story and song, traced over 1,400 years Stories about Fionn macCumhaill (also known as Finn McCool) and his roving warrior band, the Fianna, have engaged audiences for more than a millennium.
  • About the Author: Natasha Sumner is associate professor of Celtic languages and literatures at Harvard University.
  • 376 Pages
  • Literary Criticism, European

Description



Book Synopsis



The evolution of the Fenian tradition of story and song, traced over 1,400 years

Stories about Fionn macCumhaill (also known as Finn McCool) and his roving warrior band, the Fianna, have engaged audiences for more than a millennium. Fionn and the Fianna--Gaeldom's defenders during a legendary third-century golden age--are the heroes of the most prolific body of narrative in the Gaelic tradition, spanning 1,400 years of oral and written transmission, from the earliest extant records to the present day. In this book, Natasha Sumner traces these stories across the centuries and throughout the Gaelic world, examining the fates of Fionn and the Fianna and investigating the persistent popularity of these tales.

Sumner describes the development of the Fenian tradition from early seventh-century texts through the medieval and early modern creation of its greatest literary achievements; the controversy stirred by James Macpherson's adaptation of Fenian characters and plots in his popular eighteenth-century epic, Ossian; and the Fianna's place in the modern Irish and Scottish nations, beginning with the Celtic Revival in the 1860s. Part (pseudo) historical fiction, part (proto) fantasy, these stories project perceptions of a bygone Gaelic heroic age through the lens of their contemporary realities. The Fenian tradition, Sumner argues, provides ample space for imaginative engagement with the narrative past, the historical present, and the aspirational future.



About the Author



Natasha Sumner is associate professor of Celtic languages and literatures at Harvard University. She directs the Fionn Folklore Database and coedited the essay collection North American Gaels: Speech, Story, and Song in the Diaspora.
Dimensions (Overall): 9.21 Inches (H) x 6.22 Inches (W) x 1.34 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.5 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 376
Genre: Literary Criticism
Sub-Genre: European
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Theme: English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh
Format: Hardcover
Author: Natasha Sumner
Language: English
Street Date: February 17, 2026
TCIN: 1002267041
UPC: 9780691204734
Item Number (DPCI): 247-34-0731
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1.34 inches length x 6.22 inches width x 9.21 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.5 pounds
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Q: What is Natasha Sumner's area of expertise?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: Natasha Sumner specializes in Celtic languages and literatures and is an associate professor at Harvard University.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: Who is the central figure discussed in the stories?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: The central figure is Fionn macCumhaill, also known as Finn McCool, a legendary hero of the Fianna.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What is the significance of the Fianna in this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: The Fianna are portrayed as legendary warriors, embodying the heroic ideals of Gaelic culture throughout history.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: How does the book approach the evolution of these stories?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: It traces the evolution from seventh-century texts through various historical periods, highlighting literary achievements and adaptations.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What themes are explored in this book?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
  • A: The book explores themes related to the Fenian tradition and its impact on Gaelic culture and identity.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 27 days ago
    Ai generated

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