My rating: 4 of 5 stars
* Interesting - the change experience by a culture over a millennia * Educational - historically and linguistically * Emotional - poignant and full of adventure
This historical saga based in ancient Ireland is the 1st of a Trilogy exploring the history of Ireland and her people.
Beginning with a love story set in Dubh Linn 480 AD, The Princes of Ireland narrates the lives and lineage of several families over more than 1,000 years of Irish history. The weighty novel is intellectual and challenging – it will exercise the vocabulary. The subject matter is really interesting and educational both historically and linguistically.
It is absolutely unbelievable the depth of this narrative. Every page is a rich portrait of life in time we know only through legend and folklore. Rutherford does an exceptional job weaving together the threads of history and religion to create believable characters and subplots.
The only criticism I can find for The Princes of Ireland is that the book is very large and could probably have been split into smaller novels. This is not a book you can easily carry with you.
View all my reviews
Beginning with a love story set in Dubh Linn 480 AD, The Princes of Ireland narrates the lives and lineage of several families over more than 1,000 years of Irish history. The weighty novel is intellectual and challenging – it will exercise the vocabulary. The subject matter is really interesting and educational both historically and linguistically.
* Interesting - the change experience by a culture over a millennia
* Educational - historically and linguistically
* Emotional - poignant and full of adventure
It is absolutely unbelievable the depth of this narrative. Every page is a rich portrait of life in time we know only through legend and folklore. Rutherford does an exceptional job weaving together the threads of history and religion to create believable characters and subplots.
The only criticism I can find for The Princes of Ireland is that the book is very large and could probably have been split into smaller novels. This is not a book you can easily carry with you.
Review: The Princes of Ireland by Edward Rutherford
Hood - The King Raven Trilogy
Title: Hood - The King Raven Trilogy
Author: Stephen R. Lawhead
ISBN: 1595540881, 9781595540881
Publication: June 2, 2007
This is a really fascinating book! Hood, the first novel of the King Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead, is basically a Robin Hood story; the twist is that the author has done his homework and changed the standard fairy-tale to fit a more realistic scenario.
Set in Wales, Hood sheds light on the plight of the Cymry (Welsch) people during the turbulent years following the Norman Conquest of Britain. Kingships are overthrown and lands given to men loyal to the new King of England. One of these kings is slaughtered in an ambush and his son Bran ap Brychan (which means Raven in the native tongue) becomes the rightful, but displaced, king - Rhi Bran. After some very turbulent months, and after being befriended by an old wise woman, Rhi Bran becomes known as Rhi Bran y Hud. Robin Hood! (you find out more about how the name got changed in Scarlet, the second book of the trilogy). Hood takes us from the fall of Elfael's king, past Bran's flight into the ancient forest that serves as a dividing line between the March and Wales, and into the founding of a community within that forest.
The book is long, but every page is a gem. The pacing is great, and the numerous characters are charming. The only thing this book left me wanting was the sequel!
For me the wealth of beckground research was evident and important. The rich tapestry of history added immensely to the value and intrigue of this book. I have honestly never seen a better revision of a fairy tale. If you like Robin Hood, history, or just plain old action you will like Hood.
The Book of the Unknown: Tales of the Thirty-six
Title: The Book of the Unknown: Tales of the Thirty-six
Author: Jonathan Keats
ISBN: 0812978978, 9780812978971
Publication: Random House, 10 February 2009
I obtained an Advance Reader's copy of this book, which will be published this week! I'm really excited about it, and think it will be an instant success. The Book of the Unknown combines elements of history, faith, and folklore to create a narrative that's engaging and insightful.
The Book of the Unknown is based on a fascinating concept called the "lamed vov" or the "thirty-six" stating that there is a minimum of 36 righteous individuals living in the world at all times. This Jewish tradition comes from the Talmud, and may have origins in Genesis. Basically, the book is a collection of short stories depicting the lives of a few of the 36 at one point in time. (You can learn more about the Lamed Vov here: http://www.neveshalom.org/html/arts/art_gallery_legend36.htm)
The author gives us a foundational story about a man, John Katz, who finds a manuscript during an archeological dig and holds onto it for many years. The manuscript is a list of his contemporary 36, written by a Kabbalist and buried after his death. Jon Katz begins researching the names on the list, and has combined 12 of their stories for us to enjoy.
What strikes me about the stories are the seemingly degenerate nature of these righteous people. In fact, one of them isn't even human! The author introduces us to a golum (a woman made of mud and brought to life using magic) as one of the lamed vov. Others include at thief, a clown, a negligent sin-eater and an adulterer.
This fascinating fictional account is entertaining, solidly written, and hopeful. I highly recommend this book, and think it would make an excellent gift as well!
