Finn Mac Cool: the legendary hero of Old Ireland [Import] [Paperback]

Morgan Llywelyn (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 442 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann; New Ed edition (1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0434001481
• ISBN-13: 978-0434001484
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enthralling read, November 29, 2000

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finn Mac Cool (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great character, June 1, 2000

By 

BC "aceaceaceace" (NYC, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finn Mac Cool (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of Llywelyn, March 23, 2000

By 

Kris Navid (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finn Mac Cool (Mass Market Paperback)

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!