Some of the Best Penguins and Pelicans

The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer, Translated into Modern English by Neville Coghill. A Penguin Classic. I have read some of these tales but not all of them. An interesting feature of this book is that Neville Coghill was a member of the Inklings. Every English student needs a copy. Has my name in it. Ranking: Keeper. File Code: Classic. Paperback.

Fables of Aesop, Translated by S. A. Handford. A complete edition of the most original and authentic fables. Penguin Classic, with illustrations. Ranking: Keeper File Code: Fables. Classic. Paperback.

The Mabinogion, Translated by Jeffrey Gantz. The Welsh collection of myths and legends par excellence that so many fantasists have based their books on. I must confess to not reading it thoroughly, but must have it for … scholarship, I guess? Penguin Classic. Ranking: Keeper. File Code: Classic. Paperback.

Njal’s Saga, Translated by Herman Palsson Now this book is the real deal, a Norse saga of incredible detail and stark storytelling, that tells of a feud with as many twists and turns as any soap-opera. A look at Icelandic life (which is as much about law-courts as it is about ‘Vikings’ and violence), with a smattering of mysticism and fate to keep it spicy. Parodied by Monty Python (probably mostly by Terry Jones, who was a scholar in that area) as the ‘terribly violent’ “Njorl’s Saga”. Got this copy of the Penguin book at the college bookstore. Ranking: Essential. File Code: Saga. Classic. Paperback.

The History of the Kings of Britain, by Geoffrey of Monmouth, Translated by Lewis Thorpe. Legendary history of Britain, famous for its early depiction of King Arthur. And when I say legendary history, I mean that both legends and history are mixed together like sugar and sand here. There is much more than just Arthur, but the popularity of that section led to Geoffrey’s ‘sequel’, “The Life of Merlin”. Penguin book, college years, Arthurian craze. Ranking: Essential for reference. File Code: Classic. Paperback.

The Twelve Caesars, by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, Translated by Robert Graves A gossipy, scandalous, racy history of the first twelve ‘Caesars’ to rule Rome (the first six were from the actual family, the next six assumed the name as a title). Interesting not only because of its historical ‘tell all’ nature, but because it is translated by Robert Graves, of “I, Claudius” fame, and in his prose style. Fun! Another Penguin. Ranking: Essential. File Code: Classic. Paperback.

Life in Shakespeare’s England, Compiled by John Dover Wilson. Aspects of Elizabethan and Jacobean England, as described by contemporary writers. A wonderful browser, with accounts of the culture by people who experienced it. The cover shows pretty bad wear; bought it second-hand and wouldn’t mind upgrading if I could find a better copy. Penguin. Ranking: Essential Reference. File Code: Classic. Book of Excerpts. Paperback.

Gothic Tales of Terror, Volumes One and Two, Edited by Peter Haining. Anthology of longish short stories put together for Penguin Books by Haining, connoisseur of horror and mystery. Some good, some bad; most of the good ones I have elsewhere. However, who knows what might interest me in the future – and if I sell them, how much could I actually hope for? Ranking: Dispensable, but why? File Code: Anthology. Horror. Paperback.

Gods and Myths of Northern Europe, by H. R. Ellis Davidson What is says on the label, it is not a retelling but an organization and examination. I’ve had occasion several times to use this volume to write school papers for others, and it is an unfailing resource. A secondhand book, full of under-linings and a few notes, but dead useful withal. Ranking: Essential File Code: Mythology. Norse. Reference. Paperback.

The Greek Myths: Volumes I and II, by Robert Graves. Short retellings of the Greek myths, followed by notes by Graves, often about his dubious ‘anagogic’ readings of them through the spectacles of his White Goddess and mushroom cult spectacles. As scholarship, rather suspect; as collecting and retelling the myths, a brisk and thorough exercise. Ranking: Half of it’s Essential. File Code: Mythology. Greek. Reference. Paperback.