Greek and Roman Folklore. Book review

This series of folklore handbooks is outstanding for the expertise displayed, which is not surprising, when one considers that each writer is a recognised authority in his or her field, and skilled in conveying a wealth of information in a clear, lively, and modern manner. They follow the same pattern, the major sections being: definitions and classifications of various genres; examples and texts; the history of folklore collecting, scholarship and interpretation in the area concerned; and contexts, including the use of folklore material in literature, song, film, etc. This enables the authors to alternate their approach between the general and the particular, in some chapters offering guidance on various broad issues which could apply to many cultures besides the one under discussion, and in others illustrating the necessarily brief treatment of individual topics by a selection of well-chosen illustrative texts. Needless to say, the chapter notes and bibliographies give ample guidance to further reading.

Space does not permit a detailed review of the contents of each book, but I can warmly commend them not only as guides to the traditions of these particular regions, but as excellent models of modern folklore scholarship.