The Flight of Michael McBride [Hardcover]

Midori Snyder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1994

Fleeing the machinations of the Faery court to the Texan cattle country, Eastern city boy Michael McBride discovers that he cannot outrun magic and is drawn in by the glamorous, ancient land that is as powerful as the enchantments he avoids.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A fantasy novel dressed in cowboy boots, this latest effort by Snyder nonetheless remains at heart a run-of-the-mill quest story. Following his mother's death, Michael McBride, the son of Irish immigrants, flees New York in 1878 and travels west, pursued by mysterious demons of Irish legend. Finding work as a ranch hand, Michael gains new skills and independence, all the while moving closer to a showdown with Red Cap, his demonic antagonist. At times entertaining, the plot nevertheless lacks surprises, and the characters that populate the Western setting, such as the half-Apache Jake Talking Boy and the woman-chasing cowboy Jim Delaney, lapse quickly into stereotype. Most damaging to the narrative, perhaps, is the fact that Michael wins the respect of his new companions too easily, succeeding at every step, and the resolution of the novel can be guessed at almost from the first page.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Distraught by his mother's death and his father's seeming hostility, Michael McBride seeks escape from his troubles only to find that he is the target of an attack from the realms of Faerie. The "Wild West" of the late 19th century is the unlikely setting for this lively fantasy adventure. Celtic and Native American mythology work in tandem to enhance this story of a city boy's rude awakening to the truth of his mysterious parentage. A good choice for fantasy collections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st edition (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312854102
• ISBN-13: 978-0312854102
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,661,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem from Midori Synder, July 6, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Penryn, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Flight of Michael McBride (Paperback)

Midori Snyder's range as a story teller continues to astound me. In this story, mythological elements from Irish, Native American, and Old West sources are woven together into a unique tale of a man on the run. Whether he's running from something or to something is a question both the main character and you keep asking, not to mention wondering what in the world is going to happen next. Another excellent read from an author who simply doesn't publish books fast enough as far as I'm concerned. But given the choice, I'll take quality over quantity any day!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful blend of the western and magical realism genres., January 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Flight of Michael McBride (Paperback)

Midori Snyder, who has done wonders with her traditional fantasies, has decided to blend two rather contrary styles. She takes the traditional, down-to-earth stylings of a western novel, and throws in some sensual, and occasionally bizarre, touches of magical realism. Along the way we also get a healthy dose of urban fantasy, as Snyder tells the tale of a young man growing up in 19th century New York who discovers that he has a much richer and more magical heritage than he had assumed. Snyder takes a classic plot -- a mortal sired by faeries -- and makes it shine