What do You think about Lion Of Ireland (2002)?
This is by far the best historical fiction book I've read in the past year. The author is also an accomplished writer of non-fiction, and thus has done her research on the 10th and early 11th century in Irish history and the Colossus remembered as Brian Boru. The story of how this man was able to bring much of Ireland's warring tribes together to rout the Northmen and Vikings after being plundered and pillaged for generations is an early look at coalition building. All the elements of a well-paced story unfold with the excitement of battle, allegiances, betrayals, parent-child relationships, greed, lust, and revenge. Some of the battle scenes left me a bit queasy, but after all, we're talking Viking axes, daggers, swords and clubs. It is a story about a man who was larger than life, who challenged many warring tribes and their kinds to a unified Ireland, who inspired great sacrifices, and who refused to give up that left a lasting impact on Irish history--and he lived 1000 years. This book had me so thoroughly hooked that I took it to read in my car (while I was parked) and in the Dentists' chair.
—Cathy0584
Lion of Ireland tells the story of Brian Boru, the great High King of Ireland. I’m not at all familiar with Irish history and learned a lot while reading this. I found Brian’s history, and that of Ireland, to be so interesting. I especially loved the beginning of the book where we saw Brian in his youth and watched him become one heck of a warrior - a force to be reckoned with. The battle scenes were intense and described so well and in such detail that I felt like I was there on the battlefield. I was head-over-heels in love with the story at this point. However, as the story progressed I found myself losing some of that enthusiasm. Llywelyn started to move us through the story at a quicker pace, jumping through the years and only just touching on certain events and battles. I understand there was a lot of ground to cover, but I missed being able to be fully immersed in the moment, the battles. This in turn pulled me up and out of the story a bit and my interest started to wan. This is why I decided on a 4-star rating instead of 5. All-in-all, though, this was a wonderful read and a fantastic history lesson. I’d pick up another of Llywelyn's books in a heartbeat.
—Heather
che si può dire di questo romanzo se non FA-VO-LO-SO!!!! anch'io come è già stato detto da olio&rucola sono stata un pò restia ad iniziare la lettura per le 544 pagine continuando a preferire letture più "veloci",ma una volta iniziato non sono stata più in grado di fermarmi! la lettura non va in discesa, è una vera e propria caduta libera nella storia di Erin che ti avvolge, ti travolge e ti abbaglia! la Llywelyn è incredibile; riesce a rendere viva e splendente una storia che ormai ha più di mille anni! ho davvero sofferto e gioito con Brian in ogni passo della sua vita tanto che alla fine avevo quasi timore a leggere il finale del libro per paura di separarmi da questo irlandese gigantesco dalla rossa chioma. mi ha affascinata con le sue idee innovative per l'epoca in cui viveva e per la sua intelligenza, mi ha ispirato tenerezza quando aveva a che fare con Deirdre (e mi dispiace che non sia riuscito a comprendere fino in fondo la sua anima tormentata),mi sono arrabbiata e anche un pò stupita quando ha sposato Gormlaith (altro che spirito d'Irlanda, quella era una vera e propria megera vipera isterica!)e ho sofferto tantissimo leggendo di Murrough, figlio trovato troppo tardi e perso troppo presto... è così che deve essere un libro:risucchiarti tra le sue pagine,farti vivere la storia che racconta e sospirare,anche di dispiacere,una volta terminato...e Morgan Llywelyn c'è riuscita alla perfezione!
—Methos
