Author Description

Almost two dozen stories are vividly presented in this enchanting book. Several are haunting, mystical quests into the legendary time when Tuatha De Danann wizards and sorcerers existed in the delicate world of fairy. Many are hilarious tales set near Waterford in 1880 where strange villagers have misadventures with ghosts, magic spells, fairy palaces, changelings, pucas, and music: always music. This wide spectrum of tales involves ancient lore, gentle romances and delightful humor. Also included is the regional award-winning one-act comedy "His Irish Harp." A quick overview will reveal that the twenty-three stories breakdown into these categories: Wonder Tales = 12 Adventure = 11 Comic = 11 Dramatic = 10 Mythic = 8 Autobiographical = 7 Ghost = 5 Poetic = 5 Romances = 4 Heroic = 4 Dreams = 4 Tragedies = 3 Obviously most stories fall under several catagories. For example, a comic autobiographical tale or a dramatic ghost story. In addition, fifteen of these stories are completely original and eight are slightly to moderately influenced by nineteenth century writers Douglas Hyde, Jeremiah Curtin, Standish James O'Grady, Lady Augusta Gregory, William Butler Yeats, Joseph Jacobs, and William Carleton. (all of the above is directly quoted from the front pages of Into the Magic) Beyond that I would like to add that most of these short stories were preformed in live theater and therefore some are written as short stories and others are in script format. I have the pleasure of being one of the McKay High School Drama students that helped build the sets for the Portland, Oregon production of the play. I was also hand-given my copy by Mr. Whelan himself on the last night of productions during the after-party get together we had at his home at the time, though I wish I was bright enough to have him sign it for me. (live and learn)