Finn Mac Cool (Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn)

Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: A must read for anyoen with any interest in Finn McCool.
Unlike typical folklore books this is historical fiction.
Keep to the facts and information available from the folk tales Morgan is able to make a seamless story that flows from beginning to end.

You will be wrapped up in love, war and self identification.
I liked this book so much I have bought several other the authors books. All will find this easy enjoyable reading.

Rating:
Summary: An enthralling read
Review: Finn Mac Cool is a young officer in the Fianna, the army nominally under the control of the High King of Eire. Finn is a great warrior, a teller of magical tales, and a man of vision. Rising to head the Fianna, and as such second in power only to the High King, he reshapes it in his own image, into an object of honor. But there is no "happily ever after" for Finn Mac Cool. Growing older, he finds that his body can no longer keep up the pace that it did, he begins to find it difficult to tell which of his own tales are true and false, and other people begin to reshape his world to his detriment. What should he do, and how should he do it?

I actually finished this book days ago, but have had to take the time to sort out my feelings about it. Ms. Llywelyn has written a powerful story. She has taken the old Irish legends of Finn Mac Cool, and retold them in the form of historical fiction. Finn is presented as a larger-than-life man, one whose peculiar talents can make him and can also unmake him.

This book is an enthralling read. It contains stories of action, and stories about life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Legend Turned Man
Review: Finn MacCool is a man with the life of a warrior, the heart of a lover, and the soul of a poet. Morgan Llywelyn writes the story of a man as well as a legend. Characters based on legends tend to be untouchable, but Llywelyn does a fantastic job of blending the legend and the man together. Finn MacCool will, without a doubt make you laugh, make you cry, and leave you with a peaceful meloncholy. It would be hard to find anyone that can not in some way identify with MacCool.

Rating:
Summary: The best of Llywelyn
Review: I have now read at least 10 Llywelyn books. Although this was about 4th in my reading order, I consider it the best of all. Llywelyn blends the best of historical fiction with fantasy and myth, and it makes for a superior read. I got tears in my eyes at the end. Her characters have depth and I have learned so much about Irish history. I can't wait for another book!

Rating:
Summary: dissapointed in female character development
Review: Llywelyn weaves a wonderful tapestry of magic and history in this novel. Finn is brought to life as a real, feeling man while still heroic and larger than life. It's a brisk read and you'll find yourself pulled gently along for hours and you won't even realize it. It would have been easy to portray Finn as a figure of existential angst, not unlike Percival in Hunter's "Percival and the presence of God" (a very good book in it's own right), but Llywelyn allows the magic to manifest for both the reader and Finn so that we are never obliged to be skeptical of what we read. This book has fired me up to read more about Irish myths and legends. Definitely a fine novel!

Rating:
Summary: A Sweetly Nostalgic and Heroic Tale
Review: Llywelyn weaves a wonderful tapestry of magic and history in this novel. Finn is brought to life as a real, feeling man while still heroic and larger than life. It's a brisk read and you'll find yourself pulled gently along for hours and you won't even realize it. It would have been easy to portray Finn as a figure of existential angst, not unlike Percival in Hunter's "Percival and the presence of God" (a very good book in it's own right), but Llywelyn allows the magic to manifest for both the reader and Finn so that we are never obliged to be skeptical of what we read. This book has fired me up to read more about Irish myths and legends. Definitely a fine novel!

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!!
Review: The legend of Fin MacCool is known throughout Ireland. This incredible book takes you through the life of one of Ireland's greatest warriors.

It gives you wonderful insight into how a man becomes transformed into a legend in his own lifetime.

An absolutely brilliant read from start to finish!

Rating:
Summary: An compelling and accurate retelling of a great Irish legend
Review: This book continues the tradition Morgan Llywelyn has set with her other books on Irish legend. It brings the legend of Finn Mac Cool alive, interesting and exciting while providing an excellent glimpse into the lives and ways of the Irish during this time.

The story of Finn Mac Cool is one of a young man from one of the lowest classes of Irish society, driven by ambition and strength to rise above his birth and bring to his people new respect and status.

The legend of Finn Mac Cool is full of mythological elements, and Llywelyn incorporates these very well, so that the reader never feels as if they are reading a fantasy adventure.

There are many fascinating conflicts and layers in this book and within Finn Mac Cool himself. Finn's constant battle of wits with the king, his enemies, and the wise but dangerous Goll Mac Morna serve to heighten his inner struggles over race, class, and success.

For the casual reader, this book will serve as a rousing tale of Irish lore. For the more serious reader, or lover of Irish history, it will serve as a fascinating character study and glimpse into Irish past.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I've Read since Lion of Ireland
Review: This is one of my favorite Authors, if you are Irish, or of that line, buy all of her books right now and save yourself from having to come back over and over like I did. Loved them all so much I bought new copies just to have them. A little bit of reality and history, with a novel built around them. Her style is hard to find anywhere. By the luck of the Irish we got her!

Rating:
Summary: Journey into Finn Mac Cool's extrordinary world!
Review: What a terrific Irish folk hero ! I loved this book, and the character Finn Mac Cool so much that I begged my wife to let me name one of my sons Finn. (No Luck) I would say that he rates as the next best Irish hero after Brian Boru. And Morgan Llywelyn does an amazing job of bringing him to life. Her research is obviously superior, as she sprinkles factual data in with a wonderful tale. She obviously has the Irish gift of storytelling herself. I would definitely agree with the reviewer who suggested buying ALL of her books - I did practically the same thing myself. If not, at least buy this one.