I picked this up because it had been recommended by some friends. It has its charms, but it also has some giant, gaping holes that really annoyed me. I can’t be bothered to continue with the series. I won’t say anything specific about the problems with plot or characterization, though, because it is a plot-driven story, and I think a lot of people with different tastes (i.e., not picky, bratty editors like me) would enjoy the book.
The book follows two main characters: Takeo is a teenager who has grown up in a secret, apparently Christian enclave, who finds that his village has been destroyed and then learns he’s part of a secret clan of assassins. Kaede is a teenaged girl who has been promised in marriage to a man she hates. The two meet and become star-crossed lovers, of course, and they dance around each other during the course of the book. Takeo often seems like an idiot, because the author needs him to do something to advance the plot, but that “something” is irrational or downright stupid. Since he’s supposed to be a member of a brilliant, super-human clan of assassins, these moments of stupidity are particularly annoying to me. It’s one thing when your pimply-faced fool character is doing idiotic things to advance the plot. But when the supposed genius natural warrior does it, things fall apart.
The quintessential translation on the Táin Bó Cúailnge, (the Cattle Raid of Cooley), one of the most important works of Irish myth. Kinsella's translation sizzles, and Louis le Brocquy's brush and ink illustrations depict the action with gorgeous simplicity. Any lover of mythology, action, intrigue, or art would love this book.
This is an astoundingly beautiful, thrilling translation of one of the most important works of mythology Europe has produced. The story follows a cattle raid waged against Ulster by the tribes of Ireland, and one demi-god's war against the invaders. It's full of passion, violence, intrigue, loyalty, bravery, sex, magic, victory, loss--the stuff of myth the world over.
Kinsella is a poet's poet, and a very talented translator. He gets right to the heart of the original Old Irish--a language few of us study--and captures its energy and precision and lyricism. Louis le Brocquy's illustrations are evocative and passionate and burned forever onto my mind's eye. I've read it over and over again, and I'm sure I will never find its like.
This is a sweet little snack of a book. It contains photographs of famous ancient trees the world over, and stories explaining folk rituals practiced at or near the trees.
The only downside, and it is a qualified downside, is that several of the trees photographed in India have swastikas on them. No, they're not Nazi symbols in this instance, but I always find the things jarring.
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and
out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.
Don't Miss
Customer Comments
Lanea has commented on (4) products.
Tales of the Otori #01: Across the Nightingale Floor
Lanea, August 25, 2008
I picked this up because it had been recommended by some friends. It has its charms, but it also has some giant, gaping holes that really annoyed me. I can’t be bothered to continue with the series. I won’t say anything specific about the problems with plot or characterization, though, because it is a plot-driven story, and I think a lot of people with different tastes (i.e., not picky, bratty editors like me) would enjoy the book.The book follows two main characters: Takeo is a teenager who has grown up in a secret, apparently Christian enclave, who finds that his village has been destroyed and then learns he’s part of a secret clan of assassins. Kaede is a teenaged girl who has been promised in marriage to a man she hates. The two meet and become star-crossed lovers, of course, and they dance around each other during the course of the book. Takeo often seems like an idiot, because the author needs him to do something to advance the plot, but that “something” is irrational or downright stupid. Since he’s supposed to be a member of a brilliant, super-human clan of assassins, these moments of stupidity are particularly annoying to me. It’s one thing when your pimply-faced fool character is doing idiotic things to advance the plot. But when the supposed genius natural warrior does it, things fall apart.
The Tain by Thomas Kinsella
Lanea, June 23, 2008
The quintessential translation on the Táin Bó Cúailnge, (the Cattle Raid of Cooley), one of the most important works of Irish myth. Kinsella's translation sizzles, and Louis le Brocquy's brush and ink illustrations depict the action with gorgeous simplicity. Any lover of mythology, action, intrigue, or art would love this book.Tain
Lanea, June 12, 2008
This is an astoundingly beautiful, thrilling translation of one of the most important works of mythology Europe has produced. The story follows a cattle raid waged against Ulster by the tribes of Ireland, and one demi-god's war against the invaders. It's full of passion, violence, intrigue, loyalty, bravery, sex, magic, victory, loss--the stuff of myth the world over.Kinsella is a poet's poet, and a very talented translator. He gets right to the heart of the original Old Irish--a language few of us study--and captures its energy and precision and lyricism. Louis le Brocquy's illustrations are evocative and passionate and burned forever onto my mind's eye. I've read it over and over again, and I'm sure I will never find its like.
Tree-talk :memories, myths and timeless customs by Marie France Boyer
Lanea, November 29, 2006
This is a sweet little snack of a book. It contains photographs of famous ancient trees the world over, and stories explaining folk rituals practiced at or near the trees.The only downside, and it is a qualified downside, is that several of the trees photographed in India have swastikas on them. No, they're not Nazi symbols in this instance, but I always find the things jarring.