Say, has anyone read the novel "Druids" by Morgan Llwelyn?
It is a must-read! It's an excellent telling (I don't want to say "story") of how the Celtic tribes of Free Gaul actually rallied together under one leader to try and fight back Caesar's intruding forces. The book is told from the point of view of Ainvar, from his childhood, his man-making with the young Vercingetorix, to him riding to battle with Vercingetorix as his soul friend and Chief Druid.
Beside the fact that it is told so passionately, you've got to love the insight it gives you on the Druids, life in a Celtic tribe, and the Celts' side of the story. How they saw the Roman invasion. And you'll actually make sense of Druidic rituals. Even the human sacrafices seem perfectly logical.
Yes, we do know the ending of the story becasue it's history.. but when I read the book, I just felt that, maybe, just maybe, the Celts will really drive Caesar back. It's like you know they won't but you just hope...
Anyway, great book.
Cheers, Aithne
P.S.- WARNING: There is a Druidic ritual preformed in the book and it's called "Sex magic". So you might want to be reconsider if you think you'll get uneasy reading about that. But hey, it's an important Druidic ritual.
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Be brave. Be strong. Be true. I salute you as a free person.
Oh wahou ! It seems VERY interesting !! I hope this book can be found in France...(not sure, the books come always later here... ). Thanks for telling
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Que restera-t-il de notre sang mêlé au sel, sans trace dans les mémoires ? Une ultime navigation, trompeuse. Et des souvenirs, illuminés d'embruns. Mais condamnés au silence de la mer... Loïc Finaz.
May dragons bring you wealth and guard your treasures May they banish darkness and enlighten you May female dragons grant you inner power May the Dragon Queen neutralize your enemies May Dragon Spirits give you power over Elementals May weather dragons bring rain at your request May Ti'amat effect the changes you command May Ishtar grant you Dragon Power May Ishtar grant you Dragon Power
I love Morgan's Celtic novels, though I'm sorry to say I've never read "Horse Goddess". However, I have read "The Druids" and thought it was very good. My favorite, though, is Lion of Ireland. It's a marvelous books. I thought it was a shame that its sequel, Pride of Lions, didn't match its greatness as a story.
Morgan Llywelyn is my favorite fiction author. I love anything I read from her. I am especially fond of "Bard", "Finn MacCool", and, of course, "The Druids" which, as all her work, kept me in tears. I cry for my memory of generations past. I really enjoy her ability to convey the deep significance of seemingly mundane daily activities.
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"Do not take living compensation, great Fionn MacCumhal, for the love of Diarmuid and Grainne is true. Oh Rig of the Fianna, please remember your Sadb."
Group: Celtic Nation
Posts: 911
Joined: 18-Nov-2003 Zodiac: Oak
Thanks to this thread, I've been reading "Red Branch," a re-telling of the story of Cuchulain, the Hound of Ulster. His story ranks with the works of Homer as epics of Western civilization, albeit not nearly as well known. As the Hound of Ulster, Cuchulain was a champion with the responsibility for protecting Ulster from invaders from the south. Given the current situation in Ulster, I can't help wondering whether the Ulster Scots, who are likely the descendants of the Ulaid who emigrated to Dal Riada (Scotland) from Ulster, then back to Ulster, could use the assistance of Cuchulain today.
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Síochán leat, Mailagnas Clan Donald USA
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