James Stephens

Taking up the major philosophical and psychological concerns of the early-twentieth century―over a decade before works by T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf, among others, would cement literary Modernism's place in history―The Crock of Gold is a groundbreaking and important work. The text centers on the Philosopher and his wife, the Thin Woman, who undergo a series of journeys and harrowing trials. Faced with danger both human and divine, the two characters are forced to weather the winds of change in order to change themselves. Divided into six books, The Crock of Gold―no doubt inspired by the Irish oral tradition of storytelling―follows the Philosopher's quest to save the most beautiful woman in the world; his encounter with the gods who have captured her; his return home and arrest for murder (he has been framed by leprechauns incensed at the loss of their crock of gold); and finally, the Thin Woman's quest to find the fabled Three Infinites.

Taking up the major philosophical and psychological concerns of the early-twentieth century―over a decade before works by T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf, among others, would cement literary Modernism's place in history―The Crock of Gold is a groundbreaking and important work. The text centers on the Philosopher and his wife, the Thin Woman, who undergo a series of journeys and harrowing trials. Faced with danger both human and divine, the two characters are forced to weather the winds of change in order to change themselves. Divided into six books, The Crock of Gold―no doubt inspired by the Irish oral tradition of storytelling―follows the Philosopher's quest to save the most beautiful woman in the world; his encounter with the gods who have captured her; his return home and arrest for murder (he has been framed by leprechauns incensed at the loss of their crock of gold); and finally, the Thin Woman's quest to find the fabled Three Infinites.

Roger Mifflin, proprietor of The Haunted Bookshop, said it best: "If you need 'all manner of Irish, ' and a relapse into irresponsible freakishness, try 'The Demi-Gods, ' by James Stephens. It is a better book than one deserves or expects. It's a good thing to turn your mind upside down now and then, like an hour-glass, to let the particles run the other way."Three angels come to Earth to learn more about people. They land in the Irish countryside and encounter a nomadic man and his feisty daughter, and what happens next is what happens next. The latest volume in The Roger Mifflin Collection, classics of the early 20th century as curated by Mifflin himself in The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley.

The day before the rising was Easter Sunday, and they were crying joyfully in the Churches "Christ has risen." On the following day they were saying the streets "Ireland has risen." The luck of the moment was with her. The auguries were good, and, notwithstanding all that has succeeded, I do not believe she must take to the earth again, nor be ever again buried. The pages hereafter were written day by day during the Insurrection that followed Holy Week, and, as a hasty impression of a most singular time, the author allows them to stand without any emendation. -From foreword of the book

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

The Crock of Gold (1912), one of three original novels by James Stephens, is a work only a master of fiction and folklore could imagine. Taking up the major philosophical and psychological concerns of the early-twentieth century—over a decade before works by T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf, among others, would cement literary Modernism’s place in history—Stephens’ novel is a groundbreaking and important work. The text centers on the Philosopher and his wife, the Thin Woman, who undergo a series of journeys and harrowing trials. Faced with danger both human and divine, the two characters are forced to weather the winds of change in order to change themselves. Divided into six books, The Crock of Gold—no doubt inspired by the Irish oral tradition of storytelling—follows the Philosopher’s quest to save the most beautiful woman in the world; his encounter with the gods who have captured her; his return home and arrest for murder (he has been framed by leprechauns incensed at the loss of their crock of gold); and finally, the Thin Woman’s quest to find the fabled Three Infinites. James Stephens’ The Crock of Gold is perhaps unparalleled in its ability to weave together ancient narrative techniques, mythological sources, and such dominant themes of its day as gender equality and humanity’s quest for self-understanding beyond the traditional boundaries of faith and religion. It is also a darkly comic novel, full of ironic political commentary and suspiciously human conversations situated within the animal world. Most popular of Stephens’ works, The Crock of Gold conceals in its humorous, irreverent outlook a deeply serious, ultimately reverent love for the human soul—unsurprising for an author whose life was marked with difficulty from the very beginning. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this new edition of James Stephens’ The Crock of Gold is a classic of Irish literature reimagined for modern readers.

The Crock of Gold (1912), one of three original novels by James Stephens, is a work only a master of fiction and folklore could imagine. Taking up the major philosophical and psychological concerns of the early-twentieth century—over a decade before works by T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Virginia Woolf, among others, would cement literary Modernism’s place in history—Stephens’ novel is a groundbreaking and important work. The text centers on the Philosopher and his wife, the Thin Woman, who undergo a series of journeys and harrowing trials. Faced with danger both human and divine, the two characters are forced to weather the winds of change in order to change themselves. Divided into six books, The Crock of Gold—no doubt inspired by the Irish oral tradition of storytelling—follows the Philosopher’s quest to save the most beautiful woman in the world; his encounter with the gods who have captured her; his return home and arrest for murder (he has been framed by leprechauns incensed at the loss of their crock of gold); and finally, the Thin Woman’s quest to find the fabled Three Infinites. James Stephens’ The Crock of Gold is perhaps unparalleled in its ability to weave together ancient narrative techniques, mythological sources, and such dominant themes of its day as gender equality and humanity’s quest for self-understanding beyond the traditional boundaries of faith and religion. It is also a darkly comic novel, full of ironic political commentary and suspiciously human conversations situated within the animal world. Most popular of Stephens’ works, The Crock of Gold conceals in its humorous, irreverent outlook a deeply serious, ultimately reverent love for the human soul—unsurprising for an author whose life was marked with difficulty from the very beginning. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this new edition of James Stephens’ The Crock of Gold is a classic of Irish literature reimagined for modern readers.

Irish Fairy Tales is a selection of mythical stories highlighting themes of love, duty and deception in the magical setting of ancient and medieval Ireland. Each narrative presents internal and external conflicts that test the moral code of its leading characters. James Stephens explores Ireland’s cherished history though the eyes of fabled hunters, soldiers, kings and queens. Many stories feature the Fianna, a group of tribal warriors, and their legendary leader, Fionn mac Cumhaill. Other tales include “The Wooing of Becfola,” “Becuma of the White Skin” and “Mongan's Frenzy.” It’s a marvelous display of culture and tradition that balances morality with adventure. With colorful prose and larger than life characters, Irish Fairy Tales delves into the Fenian Cycle—a prominent part of both Irish and Scottish mythology. This spirited retelling captivates readers pulling them into a world of wonder and mystery. It’s one of Stephens’ most successful works and has been a literary staple for generations. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Irish Fairy Tales is both modern and readable.

Irish Fairy Tales is a selection of mythical stories highlighting themes of love, duty and deception in the magical setting of ancient and medieval Ireland. Each narrative presents internal and external conflicts that test the moral code of its leading characters. James Stephens explores Ireland’s cherished history though the eyes of fabled hunters, soldiers, kings and queens. Many stories feature the Fianna, a group of tribal warriors, and their legendary leader, Fionn mac Cumhaill. Other tales include “The Wooing of Becfola,” “Becuma of the White Skin” and “Mongan's Frenzy.” It’s a marvelous display of culture and tradition that balances morality with adventure. With colorful prose and larger than life characters, Irish Fairy Tales delves into the Fenian Cycle—a prominent part of both Irish and Scottish mythology. This spirited retelling captivates readers pulling them into a world of wonder and mystery. It’s one of Stephens’ most successful works and has been a literary staple for generations. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Irish Fairy Tales is both modern and readable.