Reviews for All Silver and No Brass: An Irish Christmas Mumming

The average rating for All Silver and No Brass: An Irish Christmas Mumming based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-06-06 00:00:00 Phyllis De Rolland In elegant, scholarly but tender style, Glassie details the tradition of Christmastime mumming as practiced in Fermanagh in the early middle of the 20th century. He writes with great affection and respect about the people who were his informants and became his friends. He locates mumming in the life of the immediate community, and also within Irish culture in general. An educational and enjoyable read.

Review # 2 was written on 2015-09-03 00:00:00 Berk Anla Published in the 1970's, All Silver and No Brass is a poorly organized field study of Mummers Plays. These folk dramas, most common to the British Isles, are a dying tradition (though they have seen a slight revival). I quickly grew tired of the topic and kept finding myself asking, "So what? Why should I care about these folk traditions?" I had not heard of mummers plays before and find them fascinating--in spite of Glassie. His commentary removed the charm from a an usually very enchanting part of the world. These plays, and the people from whom they derive, deserve a more insightful and bewitching treatment. I want my time back. At least I am 200 pages less ignorant of folk traditions surrounding the Emerald Isle.