The Wild Irish: A Novel of Elizabeth I and the Pirate O'Malley

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Adventure
Review: An amazing tale about a little known pirate named Grace O'Malley who had the audacity to demand an audience with Queen Elizabeth when England was raiding Grace's homeland of Ireland. Granted this audience, Grace proves herself to be as astounding an orator as she is a pirate. This is a wonderfully written novel by Robin Maxwell, one of her best, and I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about women in history whose voices have been silenced. This is also a wonderful read for anyone who is interested in the Elizabethan Age, particularly Ireland as is was hundreds of years ago.

Amazing research and a very fine novel. EVERYONE should read this book!

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Summary: Reclaiming Grace...
Review: The last book I read was "Wild Irish" by Robin Maxwell. It's the fourth book in her series of fictional novels centered on the life and times of Elizabeth I. In this novel, Maxwell's attention turned to the the waning years of Elizabeth's life and her ongoing struggle to colonize Ireland. Her nemesis in the novel is Grace O'Malley, the pirate queen and "Mother of the Irish Rebellion." The first part of the novel is based on the historical meeting of the Queen and Grace, and then fictionalizes the retelling of Grace's own life and what brought her before the queen. That is, namely, to beg a truce of the queen to save her son from the clutches of the dastardly English governor of Ireland and to hopefully establish some peace. As the cousel between Grace and Elizabeth closes, the queen grants the Irish pirate's request. A wary trust to say the least, though both women have developed greater respect for one another as powerful women in a world of men.

But Elizabeth soon finds herself sending Robert, Devereaux, ear of Essex, to quash the ongoing Irish rebellion. Suffering from syphilis and outnumbered in troops, O'Malley convinces Essex that a truce can save many a life. Essex, in turn, makes peace with the Irish but when he returns to England, the queen denounces him and brands him a traitor to the crown for personal and political reasons.

Like her three preceeding novels, this is a mixture of fiction and history. IMO, the first part of the novel is much more interesting and you can tell the author has a profound respect for the sea-loving Irish noblewoman, Grace O'Malley. The second part of the book is more of a war story, in which Grace plays a much lesser part.

If you like late Renaissance history and don't want to read a book that exhalts Elizabeth as the ruler of a golden age, then give this one a try.

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Summary: The Irish Pirate Queen
Review: The legend of Grace O'Malley, Pirate Queen of Ireland, has been told by many Irish storytellers. Her story has been passed on from generation to generation, inspiring awe and gratitude in the hearts of many. However, you won't see this remarkable woman's tale in many history texts. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if few people outside of Ireland have ever even heard of her. This amazing woman, who fought for her beloved country, has been forgotten or simply overlooked by many history professors. Why? Why else? She was a woman in a man's world.

The story of Grace O'Malley is an astonishing one. She was a daughter, a mother, a wife and lover. But, most of all, Grace O'Malley was a fighter. She was Ireland's saving grace for years during the English invasion of the 1500's. She fought side by side with men to defend her beautiful homeland. The daughter of a pirate and a one herself, she was well equipped to fight and battled with everything she had.

Robin Maxwell's novel The Wild Irish is a historical account of this woman's life and the life of another female figure of the times, Queen Elizabeth. In this book, the aging Grace and Queen Elizabeth meet secretly to discuss the ongoing tragedies occurring in Ireland. The women come to an agreement, but will they keep their word? The destinies of two countries lie in their hands.

The book is an extraordinary read. This version of the O'Malley tale is quite intriguing. A sizeable part of the story is told in Grace's own narrative. As she speaks, you can't help but be whisked back in time to accompany her on all her past adventures. She is, somehow, rough, abrasive, and gentle altogether as she tells her side of the conflict.

As a reader, you are also allowed a peek into the minds of several other characters, including the Lord Deveraux, Queen Elizabeth's trusted confidante and ex-lover. Robert Deveraux, owing a great deal to the Queen, is sent to Ireland to quell the uprising of the Irish. Will he remain loyal to England or be swayed by the persuasive Grace O'Malley and her kin?

Robin Maxwell has written a fantastic epic, rich in history and legend. However, you may need to take a few notes. The characters can become confusing. The clans in Ireland during the 1500's were quite numerous and it can be difficult to keep track of them all. In spite that, though, the novel is a marvelous piece of literature and should be on the reading list of anyone who loves Irish or historical fiction. When you are finished, pass the book on. Spread the word of this amazing woman who is often forgotten in the rich pages of history.