W. B. Yeats 
The Celtic Twilight 

Best known for his poetry, William Butler Yeats dedicated a large part of his life to Irish folklore. His aim was to study the mythic and magical roots of the Irish tales, which resulted in this great ‘handful of dreams, ‘ as the author called it. ‘The Celtic Twilight’ invites you into the eerie and puckish world of fairies, ghosts, and spirits. Its title referred to the pre-dawn hours when the Druids performed their rituals. Yeats wrote the book from stories recounted to the poet by his friends, neighbors, and acquaintances.

A propos de l’auteur

William Butler Yeats, born on June 13, 1865, in Sandymount, Ireland, was a seminal figure in the Irish Literary Revival and is regarded as one of the foremost poets of the 20th century. A towering presence in the world of literature, Yeats’s contribution extended beyond his poetry; he was also an accomplished playwright and a significant figure in Irish cultural nationalism. His deep fascination with mysticism, the occult, and Irish folklore is vividly reflected in ‘The Celtic Twilight’ (1893), a collection of essays, sketches, and folktales that seeks to preserve the rapidly disappearing spiritual and mythological traditions of Ireland. This work provided a literary voice to Irish culture at a time when it was largely overshadowed by English dominance. Yeats’s writing is characterized by its rich symbolism and an innovative use of traditional verse forms. His literary accomplishments were recognized in 1923 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first Irishman to receive such an honor. Yeats’s literary output was prolific, marked by his exploration of a wide range of themes from mystical concerns to national identity, personal love, and the nature of art. His legacy continues to influence poets and scholars alike, resonating through his poetry that deftly weaves a tapestry of complex symbolism and modernist innovation within the framework of Irish identity. Yeats passed away on January 28, 1939, but his works remain a lasting testament to his visionary genius.