The Crock of Gold

When their hidden gold is stolen, the leprechauns of Gort na Cloca seek revenge from local villagers. Captivating, unique fantasy, written by one of modern Ireland’s best-loved authors, abounds with bizarre adventures, curious characters, and weird sights. A wise and beautiful fairy tale for mature readers. "Full of sympathy and tenderness and sly satire, of merriment and of poetry."—The New York Times “A novel by James Stephens mixing realism, fairy tale, and fantasy. The Crock of Gold concerns the separate quests undertaken by the Philosopher, the Thin Woman of Inis Magrath (his wife), and Caitilin (a peasant girl), during which they meet with the gods Pan and Angus Og. These encounters bring about Caitilin's sexual awakening and lead the Philosopher and his wife to a more balanced view of life, overcoming dichotomies between male and female, reason and emotion The novel draws on the thought of Blake and Nietzsche to explore issues of life, death, gender self hood, and social order. There is also much comedy involving talking animals, bungling policemen, and leprechauns and their crocks of gold." -The Oxford Companion to Irish Literature