Customer Reviews

Storyteller

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

G.R. Grove's book "Storyteller" is sort of difficult to categorize. It's historical fiction, but a sort of whimsical fiction which is told in the tradition of the Canterbury tales. The book is a collection of individual tales, wound by the bard Gwernin. As he travels about telling his stories chapter by chapter, the wider story is revealed of his travels around Wales during the middle ages. You are introduced to an evolving, colourful cast of characters that Gwernin meets along the way, as well as those who accompany him on various adventures. As they travel, the reader hears stories of legendary England, including tales of King Arthur. You follow Gwernin through various life-experiences, and even as he falls in love.

I sort of expected this book to be much like the required reading of my High School AP English class; a chore to read and hard to retain. However it was not. It was a pleasure to read this book. Storyteller is an extremely friendly read, with a well-researched foundation, and a light-hearted tone. There is no doubt of the author's knowledge and expertise on the historical material in this book; however it is not presented in a burdensome or pretentious manner.

I confess that this style of book would not normally attract me as a reader. I tend to shy away from historical fiction. I find that more often than not, this genre is simply written as a means for an erudite author to show off his/her knowledge of historical subject matter, and the story, no matter how good, can be completely obliterated by the profusion of archaic terms and facts. Storyteller has shown me that this isn't always the case, and that sometimes a good book is just a good book. G. R. Grove is clearly an excellent writer. I can't find anything to criticize about the author's style or voice. The first paragraph will snag you and you will be engaged throughout. Then you will be dropped off at the last paragraph wanting more. Luckily, she has provided us with a sequel, which I will be reviewing soon.

I have been given no choice but to give "Storyteller" a full five medallions (stars). It is not run-of-the-mill work by any means. It isn't what I normally read, but it has me looking forward to the next installment. I recommend this book to anyone who just loves a good story; for there are plenty of those to be had in "Storyteller."

I immensely enjoyed this book because of its excellent historical content and the blend of tale and fantasy which makes it so much fun to read. The life of the bard portrayed in the stories is well based on historical research and the tales he tells and experiences have the right blend of myth and life that I think a person living in that time period would have believed. I am looking forward eagerly to the next instalment. Gwernin is a very realistic character and I believed in him absolutely. As for the brushed with faery he experiences, he would have believed their reality even if they were dreams for the early Welsh lived much closer to the land of myth than we do today. I think fans of both fantasy and historical novels will find this book to be a wonderful read.

I grew up reading Mary Stewart's Merlin novels. Comparisons are inevitable, but "Storyteller" stands on its own sturdy legs. Set in 6th century Britain, it is the reminicences of a young man with a penchant for spinning tales who aspires to be a bard. Ms. Groves captures the sights, sounds and smells of another time and puts us in the very shoes of one who stands small and alone before an audience, hoping for the reward of intent hush, that stunned silence ultimately followed by a storm of applause.

The episodic structure of the chapters was admirably suited to my habit of reading on my lunch hour, that, several hearty bites of narrative, ended inevitably and satisfyingly with the words, "But O my children, that is a story for another time."

More! More! cries this greedy child, knowing she gulped it down too fast. You sent him north to gather news of unrest and I want to know what happens next!

The thing that will most stick with the reader is the Welsh Flourish with which Grove writes. In fact, to add to that flourish, a pronuciation key is provided at the end (and is in fact integral to enjoying the book).

Storyteller follows the travels of a young 6th century Welsh bard named Gwernin. Gwernin starts from his home with a companion and proceeds to wander the country getting room and board where possible in exchange for his storytelling prowess. Along the way he encounters a variety of noble people, renowned bards, and charlatans.

Although one may wonder about the integrity of the interactions between Gwernin and the people he encounters, the integrity of the setting is not impeached. In fact, it is clear that Grove has spent many loving hours investigating 6th century Wales and wishes to convey that to her readers. Additionally, it is clear that Grove has a penchant for the bardic arts and likewise wishes to bestow that upon her readers.

Storyteller will give readers an excellent insight into Wales of the sixth century. Furthermore, they can garnish some fun and easy to re-tell stories by reading this work.

The travels of Gwernin Storyteller, bring you into the myths and history of 6th Century Britain in a way that captivates the reader. It is a fascinating read, with each chapter being able to stand on it own as a story. I highly recommend this book and it's sequal, "Flight of the Hawk".

Storyteller is a series of tales chronicalling the adventures of Gwernin in his journy to become a bard in 6th century Wales. The reader will get a sense of both Gwernin the young man experiencing these wonders and dangers for the first time, and also of Gwernin the old man, looking back on his life, telling us of his triumphs, and of his youthful stubornness and folly. One delights in Gwernin's successes, but also can enjoy cringing with his embarassment. With true understanding of human nature, Ms.Grove has created a character anyone who has been through adolescence can relate to, yet firmly rooted in his own time. Throughout one gets lost in the mindset of that early century. The country itself becomes a character as it comes to life through Ms. Groves lyric prose, rich in well-researched detail. Each chapter gives a tasty mouthful, the perfect treat to devour before bed-time. I eagerly await the next instalment.

While starting Storyteller I must admit it took me a couple tries to get into this novel. (I don't normally like historical fiction) When I got into it though, I found I couldn't put the Storyteller down. G.R. Grove paints an excellent picture of the life of a bard named Gwernin Kyuaryd, while he wanders Wales in the year 550 AD,
Each chapter weaves a new story of Gwernin bringing him closer to reality as it goes. I particularly enjoyed the first story when he describes the encounter he had with an owl whom our bard compares to a ghost.
Though I am not a historian, this story has brought me into an understanding of what life must have been like for bards of the sixth century Europe. I recommend Storyteller to both fans of historical fiction and those who tend to stray away from that genre alike and allow the storyteller to weave his magic together for you. I look forward to reading the next installment, Flight of the Hawk, in this series.
"But that, O my children, is a story for another day."

Storyteller is a series of interlinked short story/chapters set in 6th century Britain, each of which forms but a small part of the larger tale. This novel is the first of a trilogy featuring young Gwernin, a fine story teller with dreams of becoming a bard. Some of the chapters are the tales Gwernin tells, others describe what happens to him on his travels as he learns and improves his craft. Storyteller is historical fiction, yet it also has elements of magic and adventure which appeal to fantasy readers.

Since each shorter tale interlocks with those that come before and after, they create a complex, inter-woven story within the story format which keeps the reader turning pages. It's not a "light and fluffy" read, but Storyteller is well worth the time spent reading. Thanks to the appendices at the back of the book, understanding the Welsh words incorporated into the story was not a difficult task, even one who happens to be ungifted in languages.

Watching Storyteller slowly unfold as the chapters fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle is a pleasurable experience that's not to be missed.

Recommended to readers of historical fiction and also to those who like a bit of fantasy in their reading. This review is based on the pdf document given to me free by the author, and has been simultaneously posted on Dragon views, LibraryThing and Amazon.com

This is book one in a fascinating trilogy detailing the life of a bard-in-training, Gwernin Storyteller, in Wales during the 6th century. It is well written and leads the reader to believe well researched, although the author does describe how sparse the historical information for this time period and subject is.
In book one, we follow Gwernin as he strikes out on his own for the first time, traveling with a trader from his village. Young Gwernin has much to learn about the world, politics, and how trustworthy his companion is and his adventures are saturated with the supernatural beings, as both guides and warnings.
What I found most unique about this book is how each chapter can stand independent as a tale while at the same time belonging in the collection of chapters to tell the story of Gwernin's early years. I am fortunate to have won the two sequels in this series, Flight of the Hawk, and The Ash Spear and I am looking forward to reading more about this endearing character and remarkable period in history.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the LibraryThing book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Storyteller is an excellent addition to the historical fiction genre. In this book, we follow the life of Gwernin Kyuarwyd, the titular storyteller, as he enters into an apprenticeship and begins to learn the trade of the wandering bard.

Gwernin's story is compelling and makes for a great read on it's own, but it is the exploration of Welsh culture in the 6th century that is the true star of this book. Grove does an admirable job in describing not only the natural environment and daily life of this period, but also the struggles as these people deal with the invading Norsemen and the conflict between their own religion and the invading Christians. Indeed, with Grove's focus more on the more cultural aspects of these conflicts, Storyteller sets up this series of books as a strong counter-point to the more action and warfare centered Saxon Chronicles of Bernard Cornwell.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction or British culture, or indeed to anyone who enjoys a good character-driven story and a rich tapestry of background.