Tricksters. Gluskap the Liar

After yesterday's post about the Gluskap stories collected by 19th-century folklorist Charles Leland, I wanted to share this book by a 20th-century folklorist, much more reliable and methodical in his approach: Horace Palmer Beck, and his book Gluskap the Liar, and Other Indian Tales.

While the introduction to Leland's book was not very helpful, Beck's introduction is useful, as he explains the sources he worked with and his method of selecting and presenting the stories included in the book. 

There are also illustrations by Arthur K. D. Healy; here is the giant beaver who caused some trouble for Gluskap:

Horace Beck (more about him) taught at Middlebury College for many years, and he also was a commentator for Vermont Public Radio. The Internet Archive has other books by Beck including The Folklore of Maine and Folklore and the Sea.

So, I'll be back with more Gluskap stories tomorrow, and I hope you enjoy the stories included here: