THE
CROCK OF GOLD
By
James Stephens
WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR
BY
THOMAS MACKENZIE
A whimsical fantasy set in rural Ireland that interweaves folklore, philosophy, and comedy. It follows two sage philosophers and their quarrelsome wives, their swapped children, and encounters with gods and fair folk, including Pan, as the philosophers and a restless Thin Woman undertake journeys seeking understanding, love, and a legendary pot of gold. Episodes range from magical dialogues and riddling conversations to adventures involving police, romantic longing, and trickery by the gods. The narrative blends mythic episodes, dialogic philosophical speculation, and lyrical description across six books, mixing earthy humor with reflections on human desire, the clash between mortal needs and divine caprice, and the comforts of community.
By
James Stephens
WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR
BY
THOMAS MACKENZIE