Mysterious Celtic mythology in American folklore

Given the continuing interest in all things Celtic, this absorbing book on American folklore should find an eager readership. An expert in Celtic myth, Curran examines stories of spooky places and people, finding themes and figures possibly brought over from Ireland and Scotland during the great migrations from those lands, especially to the southern and border states where many of the stories are set. In Tidewater County, South Carolina, for instance, a gray man walks the shores, either to protect those who see him or to indicate their coming deaths. A similar figure haunts shores in the ancient Celtic lands, appearing as Yan-an-Ord (John of the Dunes) in Brittany. One of the most interesting chapters deals with American vampire lore, tracing it back to the home of the original vampire writer, Dubliner Bram Stoker. Curran's retelling of the famous American vampire tale of Sarah Tillinghast, who drank the blood of her siblings until they died, is masterfully chilling. A good choice for collections where readers fancy good storytelling about mysterious forces.--Monaghan, Patricia Copyright 2010 Booklist