Bardskull

Bardskull is a unique work by Martin Shaw, a storyteller and myth interpreter, consisting of three journeys into Dartmoor forests, where he encounters fragments of myth, including the deep history of Dartmoor, family legends, Arthurian legend, and tales from India, Persia, Lapland, the Caucasus, and Siberia. The book is a magnificent, unclassifiable work of the imagination that can be read as a fable, memoir, auto-fiction, or an attempt to undomesticate myth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Unbound

Bardskull is a remarkable work that chronicles three transformative journeys undertaken by Martin Shaw, a celebrated storyteller and interpreter of myth. These journeys took place in the year before Shaw reached the age of fifty, marking a significant turning point in his life. What sets Bardskull apart from anything Shaw has written before is its unique nature. Rather than being a conventional book about myth or narrative, it is a captivating sequence of incantations and intense battles. In each of the three journeys, Shaw ventures alone into the enchanting Dartmoor forest, patiently waiting for something extraordinary to unfold. What he encounters are not mere myths or stories; rather, they are fragments of myth that have been deeply ingrained within him for decades. These fragments encompass the rich history of Dartmoor, the lives of distant family members, the captivating Arthurian legend, and tales from diverse regions such as India, Persia, Lapland, the Caucasus, and Siberia. However, it is important to note that these stories and their tellers do not arrive as sources of solace or straightforward wisdom. Rather, Shaw embarks on a perilous quest, entering a realm filled with traps and challenges. Bardskull can be interpreted as a fable, a memoir, an auto-fiction, or even an attempt to unravel and subvert mythic narratives. It is a magnificent, unparalleled work of the imagination that defies categorization and invites readers to embark on a profound journey of exploration and discovery. Through his vivid storytelling and profound insights, Shaw invites us to reconsider the nature of myth, its power, and its enduring significance in shaping our worldviews. Bardskull is a testament to the boundless creativity and intellectual prowess of Martin Shaw, a writer who has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape with his visionary and captivating works.

Weight: 548g
Dimension: 144 x 225 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789651560