''The Song of Rhiannon'' is a

fantasy novel Fantasy literature is literature set in an imaginary universe, often but not always without any locations, events, or people from the real world. Magic, the supernatural and magical creatures are common in many of these imaginary worlds. Fa ...

by American writer

Evangeline Walton Evangeline Walton (24 November 1907 – 11 March 1996) was the pen name of Evangeline Wilna Ensley, an American writer of fantasy fiction. She remains popular in North America and Europe because of her “ability to humanize historical and mytho ...

, the third in a series of four based on the Welsh '' Mabinogion''. It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books as the fifty-first volume of the

Ballantine Adult Fantasy series The Ballantine Adult Fantasy series was an imprint of American publisher Ballantine Books. Launched in 1969 (presumably in response to the growing popularity of Tolkien's works), the series reissued a number of works of fantasy literature which w ...

in August, 1972. It has been reprinted a number of times since, and gathered together with Walton's other ''Mabinogion'' novels by

Overlook Press The Overlook Press is an American publishing house based in New York, New York, that considers itself "a home for distinguished books that had been 'overlooked' by larger houses". History and operations It was formed in 1971 by Peter Mayer, wh ...

as the omnibus ''The Mabinogion Tetralogy'' in 2002. The novel has also been published in translation in several European languages. The other three novels in the series are '' The Island of the Mighty'' (1936), ''

The Children of Llyr ''The Children of Llyr'' is a fantasy novel by American writer Evangeline Walton, the second in a series of four based on the Welsh '' Mabinogion.'' It was first published in paperback by Ballantine Books as the thirty-third volume of the Ballant ...

'' (1971), and '' Prince of Annwn'' (1974). The novel is a retelling of the story of the Third Branch of the Mabinogion, ''Manawydan Fab Llŷr'' (''Manawyddan, son of Llŷr'').

Plot summary

In the wake of the tragedy that befell the Children of Llyr, Prince

Pryderi Pryderi fab Pwyll is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology, the son of Pwyll and Rhiannon, and king of Dyfed after his father's death. He is the only character to appear in all Four Branches of the Mabinogi, although the size of his role varies ...

of Dyved returns to his realm with Manawyddan, the last survivor of the family. There Pryderi is reunited with his wife

Cigfa Cigfa ferch Gwyn Glohoyw (Middle Welsh: ''Kigua'') is a minor character in Welsh mythology, the wife of King Pryderi of Dyfed. She is mentioned briefly in the First Branch of the ''Mabinogi'', and appears more prominently in the third. Describing t ...

and Manawyddan marries Pryderi's mother

Rhiannon Rhiannon is a major figure in the Mabinogi, the medieval Welsh story collection. She appears mainly in the First Branch of the Mabinogi, and again in the Third Branch. She is a strong-minded Otherworld woman, who chooses Pwyll, prince of Dyfe ...

. An enchantment descends on the land, leaving it a wasteland empty of all domesticated animals and humans apart from the four protagonists. They support themselves by hunting at first, then move to the larger realm of Llogres where they make a living making saddles, shields and shoes. Their work is of such quality that the local craftsmen cannot compete, and drive them from town to town. Finally they return to Dyved and become hunters again. Pryderi and Manawyddan follow a white boar to a mysterious castle. Against Manawyddan's advice Pryderi goes inside, and does not return. Rhiannon goes to investigate and finds Pryderi clinging to a bowl, unable to speak. The same fate befalls her, and the castle disappears. Manawyddan and Cigfa return to Llogres as shoemakers, but are once again forced to leave so they return to Dyved. They sow three fields of wheat, but the first is destroyed before it can be harvested. The next night the second field is destroyed. Manawyddan watches over the third field, sees it destroyed by mice, and catches one of them. He decides to hang it for theft the next day. Three strangers turn up in succession to offer him gifts if he will spare the mouse. Manawyddan refuses. Asked by the third stranger what he wishes in return for the mouse's life, he demands the release of Pryderi and Rhiannon and the lifting of the curse from Dyved. The stranger agrees to these terms, and his captives are freed and the land restored. He reveals himself as Llwyd, an ally of

Gwawl In Welsh mythology, Gwawl (Gwawl fab Clud) was the son of Clud, and tricks Pwyll into promising him Rhiannon. She decides to marry Pwyll instead. Nothing is known of his father Clud. Gwawl, son of Clud, is initially mentioned in the first of the F ...

, whom Pryderi's father

Pwyll Pwyll Pen Annwn () is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology and literature, the lord of Dyfed, husband of Rhiannon and father of the hero Pryderi. Meaning ''wisdom" he is the eponymous hero of Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed, the first branch of the Four ...

had beaten in order to get Gwawl to give up his right to Rhiannon's hand, which Gwawl had won from Pwyll by trickery. The mice who destroyed Manawyddan's crops were his attendants, magically transformed, and the one Manawyddan captured is Llwyd's own pregnant wife. He had placed the enchantment on Dyved in vengeance for Gwawl's beating and humiliation.

Awards

''The Song of Rhiannon'' received the 1973 Mythopoeic Award for Best Novel.

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Song Of Rhiannon 1972 American novels American fantasy novels Mabinogion Tetralogy Ballantine Books books Works based on Celtic mythology