This book is very useful if you are trying to do research on Merlin outside reading stories upon stories that have the famed sorcerer in it; it more or less feels like a book length essay written for class college class.
Not that there is anything wrong with that, some people might not think of it as something informational. But more of a personal exploration of sorcerer and how it connects with the author when someone wants to know the historical history the legendary Merlin.

Pagan Portals Merlin by Elen Sentier

113 Pages
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing Ltd / Moon Books
Release Date: December 9, 2016

Religion & Spirituality

The book has nine chapters.

Chapter 1: Who is Merlin?
Chapter 2: Merlin in History, Stories and Poetry
Chapter 3: Shapeshifting
Chapter 4: Dragons, Demons and the Fatherless Child
Chapter 5: Pig Moor: Dyfrig, Ergyng, and Mynydd Myrddin
Chapter 6: Merlin and Broceliande
Chapter 7: Vivien: Keeper of Doorways
Chapter 8: Merlin and Liminal Thresholds
Chapter 9: Having a Relationship with Merlin

The author begins the book with a biography of Merlin. She talks about her relationship with him and their first meeting. She then discusses the many works where Merlin is mentioned. I was unaware of the different appearances Merlin is perceived. The names/places Dyfrig, Ergyng, Mynydd Myrddin and Broceliande were new to me.

I knew the story of Merlin and Nimue but not the one with Vivien. I love the image she shares that looks like yin-yang but represents Merlin and Vivien. It makes sense that Merlin would be associated with the liminal thresholds since it is often at crossings.

This little book is full of information on Merlin. If you are drawn to him and want to learn moe about him, I highly recommend this book.

I am a sucker for cat stories and this one did not disappoint. Much like the books about Dewey the Library cat and Bob the cat from England, the books is are as much about their owners as the cats. I loved the cat parts, but skimmed much that had little to do with them, I do go back and read the rest after a week or so. Sometimes I think the animals are an excuse for writing the book, but then I think about how much the animals actually change the lives of their owners, or help them become better people. The books keep getting written and I'll keep reading them! Cat, and animal lovers in general, will enjoy this book. Kudos for sheltering a rescue and helping to find it it's forever home, Helen!

I've walked with Merlin all my life, but until I read this book I had no name for the kindly old man who has guided me or an adequate way to describe the way I perceive things since I was a toddler. I stopped trying to tell people about it when I realized they didn't approve, but as I've grown I've secretly nurtured it, and I'm glad I have. I feel like my relationship with Merlin will become even stronger having read this book.

As a serious student of magick and magickal beings, customs, and cultures, I found this book to fall flat. I wanted to hear more about Merlin... not the author's opinions on Merlin and his impact on the author's life.

While I love the concept, I have a problem with the execution. The writer surely knew a lot about Merlin, and I honestly learned a lot from her, I just could not connect with her supposed personal connection, which threw me off throughout the entire time reading it.
I am sure she meant well, but it seems delusional. I am Pagan, so I am coming from an open minded background, yet I do not think that one can has a personal relationship with Merlin as she describes it. I can buy the "personal relationship" description that is not meant literally in many Christian books, but she actually meant it literal.

Not my kind of book

This book is magical. Wonderfully researched, delightful to read. Anyone who is at all interested in Merlin would do no better than to start here. Perhaps her next book will give a more in depth look at the feminine principle, Vivien...

This a hard book to rate. It is a source of many interesting details about. Merlin, from both a histocal and personal point of view. The author has been a friend of Merlin since she was a child. She tells a number of interesting stories about her experiences with Merlin. I found myself jotting down names and ideas that she discussed and I found the book helpful to those on the pagan path. To someone not open to the many experiences she describes this book would be put off by her candor.

It is a short read with many ideas to ponder and told in a simple conversational style. If you are interested in paganism or Merlin this would be a good book to read.