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Book Reviews For Samhain 2757 (October - January 2007 CE)
The Last Prince of Ireland
Author: Morgan Llywellyn
ISBN: 0812579135, 448 pages
Category: Fiction
Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by Dáire Hobbs
The Last Prince of Ireland is the story of the flight of outlaw noble Donal Cam O'Sullivan and 1,000 of his followers as they seek the safety of the far north of the country. The entire grueling journey is a fight for survival against starvation and exposure as the band marches through rough terrain in the dead of winter. Perhaps worst of all they are constantly attacked by those clans that through bribery or treachery have sworn loyalty to England and want to claim the price on the O'Sullivan's head.
I found the book to be a great read for the most part. Although, I am unfamiliar with the historical event that inspired it, so I cannot comment to the book's accuracy. My only real complaint, and this is more the nature of the subject than the fault of the author, is that the story is very linear and at times monotonous. After all, it is essentially about a long march. However, the marching is interspersed with side stories of love and jealousy and betrayal and the occasional flashback enough to break up most of the monotony of the story.
The occasional boredom induced by the linear plot is completely offset by the cultural value of the book. Llywellyn is famous for the historical and cultural detail that she puts into her work and this book is packed with such details. From the O'Sullivan's obsession with shaving and cleanliness to the constant good natured bickering between the elders of two clans, this book is a study in Gaelic culture.
Conclusion: Overall I think that this book is well suited to any Sinnsreachd library and can even be a useful tool in learning the history of our culture.
Bard: The Odyssey of the Irish
Author: Morgan Llywellyn
ISBN: 0812585151, 480 pages
Category: Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewed by Dáire Hobbs
Bard is a beautifully imaginative telling of the story of the coming of the Sons of Míl to Ireland and their confrontation with the Tuatha Dé Dannan as told in the Lebor Gabála Érenn. The book expands on the original story and adds depth and dimension that wonderfully compliments the original text.
I don't want to give away too many details of the book, but the bulk of the book centers on the Galatians and the problems that lead them to invade Ireland. After generations of prosperity, vital trade with seafaring Mediterranean peoples is almost non-existent, they are running out of room and the land can no longer support them. The action focuses especially on the aging hero, Milesios, and his clan. Milesios' son Amergin has risen through the druid ranks and is now chief bard. Throughout his life he has sensed the "green wind" from the north and longed for the unknown source of it. At the worst of his people's troubles, when all hope seems lost he hears a story of Ireland from an elder of another clan. A Tyrian trader that he has befriended confirms the story. Ireland is real!
The rest of the story is their building of boats and learning how to use them and finally getting to Ireland where they meet and eventually defeat the Dé Dannan. The story is richly detailed with the interactions between the brothers, the Sons of Míl, and the ongoing struggles for power within their clan and the whole of their people. All in all, the story follows what we already have from our lore. No great deviations were made, just expansions.
As is typical of Llywellyn's work, there is a great deal of detail concerning the day to day life and mindset of our ancestors. That in itself is reason to read the book. The amazing additional value of the book is its expansion of such a pivotal story from our lore. I would not go as far saying that it should be incorporated into the lore, but it is definitely inspiring. My only real complaint is there are some modern environmental references. Specifically, it is said that some of the elders that taught the Dé Dannan essentially transformed themselves into whales, implying that the whales are sacred if not gods in their own right.
Conclusion: I think that every Sinsearaí should read it, as it provides a great deal of food for thought on the beginnings of our people.