Strongbow: The Story of Richard and Aoife : A Biographical Novel [Hardcover]

Morgan Llywelyn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996

The warrior son of the Earl of Pembroke, Richard de Clare accepts the proposal of Dermot MacMurrough, King Leinster, to help him reclaim his lost kingdom in return for marriage to MacMurrough's headstong daughter, Aoife.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A fictionalized biography based on true events in 12th-century England and Ireland, and told in alternating chapters by the principals, Richard de Clare--Strongbow--and Aoife. Both are children of warriors who have been stripped of their titles by hostile kings. Richard and Aoife's desires to regain what has been lost bring them together in a war for control of Ireland. The events of the tale are inherently compelling, but for a story grounded in warfare, the battle scenes are rather tepid. The alternating first-person narrations are oddly confusing--it may be hard for readers to keep track of all of the names. Llywelyn (Brian Boru, 1995, etc.) has created a book that, as an introduction to little-known historical incidents and people, is valuable and interesting; as a novel it is flawed. (Fiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

Billed as a young adult novel, this is recommended reading for advanced enthusiasts of historical novels: it provides a lively story of Norman knight Richard de Clare and Irish princess Aoife, creating not only a strong romance and history but a title which teaches Irish history and culture in the process. -- Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 155 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books; 1st Tor ed edition (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312861508
• ISBN-13: 978-0312861506
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,961,659 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction based on Strongbow and Aoife, June 26, 1998

By 

Fred Camfield (Vicksburg, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Strongbow: The Story of Richard and Aoife : A Biographical Novel (Hardcover)

This is not one of Llywelyn's better efforts. The book is historical fiction loosely based on Strongbow and his Irish wife, Aoife. It is written in first person alternating between two narrators which requires, at times, keeping track of who is talking. Considering the emphasis the book seems to place on wives and daughters, it completely neglects any mention of the daughter of Strongbow and Aoife who was the heiress who inherited his estates (he had no surviving sons). It is at odds, on various points, with conventional history and genealogy and is not recommended as a source. Llywelyn could have done much better.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting book, although not one of her best., October 8, 2001

By 

Aquaria.Info "Aquaria.Info - Aquarium Fish On... (Aquaria.Info) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strongbow: The Story of Richard And Aoife (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm a huge fan of Llywelyn, and have read most of her books. This one isn't one of her best, although it does have some interesting information about 12th century Ireland. The book is historical fiction based on Richard "Strongbow" and his Irish wife, Aoife.

The book is written in the first person, alternating between Strongbow and Aoife narrating a chapter. This can be a bit hard to follow at times.

The reading is relatively easy even with the first person writings. Unless you are an avid Llywelyn fan buy one of her other fantastic books.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A quick, disappointing read, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Strongbow: The Story of Richard and Aoife: A Biographical Novel (Library Binding)

This was not the best Llywelyn book I've read. The novel, if you can call it that, was brief (more of a novella). She did not develop the main characters at all. It was like reading a biographical sketch of Richard de Clare and Aoife. Each of them tells a little of the story every other chapter. This style would work for a well developed story, but here it seems as though the characters have never met and they are supposed to be in love! The ending comes quickly and is not satisfying. A happy ending is not necessary, but with so little story it was a big disappointment. However, this book would be a good read for a young adult (7th-8th grade) and an introduction to Llywelyn and historical fiction. The back drop of the story was authentic and Llywelyn is an eminent historian. Still, if you are an adult, avoid this one and read another LLywelyn book such as Lion of Ireland or Red Branch.