Customer Reviews

Triad: A Novel of the Supernatural

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This novel is about a woman's struggle with multiple personalities...or is she fighting a soul from the other side of the grave?

Branwen, a seemingly normal American writer and wife, moves with her husband to an old, mysterious house overlooking Lake Michgan. Here she begins to experience periods of "missing time," missing objects, and other strange occurances. She gradually comes to believe that the spirit of her dead cousin, Rhiannon, is slowly taking over her mind and body. She tries several methods of dealing with the problem on her own but is finally forced to seek psychiatric help. Her doctor has his own explanation, colored by his weakness for Branwen. How will Branwen resolve her difficulties...or will she?

Along the way the reader is treated to stories of Celtic and Greek myths, as well as discussions of paranormal activities such as ESP, reincarnation, and pschyokinesis.

Although parts of the book now seem dated (it was published in 1973), all in all this book is a thrilling ride through the twists and turns of the supernatural and imagination.

And by the way, singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac has said in interviews that she got the idea to use the name "Rhiannon" for her hit song from reading this book.

This is the novel that Stevie Nicks was reading when she wrote the song "Rhiannon" back in 1975. That is what sparked my initial interest in the book.

I am so glad I read it! It not only gave me some insight into Stevie's world, but it is also quite a compelling story. At first, it was very creepy...I almost was scared to continue reading it. But as the story went on, it became so interesting, other-worldly, and almost ethereal.

If you are interested in Stevie Nicks, myths, legends, and even a little bit of psychology, I recommend this book to you highly!

This is a very good story of a woman struggling with issues of both the past and present n her life.

I also read this book because of the Stevie Nicks, "Rhiannon" connection, but fans like me might continue to enjoy the song more without reading this book, which certainly uses a dark interpretation of Goddesses in Celtic mythology. I believe Ms. Nicks focused on a very small part of the story, a love aspect, when she wrote the song. The book seems to suffer from a 1970s vogue for the idea of demonic possession (in fact, my yellowed copy says "For the millions of readers who enjoyed 'The Exorcist!'") That's not to say it isn't an engrossing read, and quite chilling in parts, and well-written. You won't like it if you expect a happy ending, but the ending is definitely thought-provoking. The jumping off place for the plot is: what's happening to this woman (Branwen)? (Who had a part in the death of her cousin Rhiannon when both were children.) Does she have multiple personalities, or is she mentally ill, or is she possessed by a ghost? The author does keep you guessing. Still, ultimately I would say that this book belongs back in the era in which it was written: the 1970s. "Rhiannon" the song has outlasted it by decades, for a reason!

This book is among my favorites. I found it in my Grandmothers attic and fell in love. I did not read it for Stevie Nicks(didn't know there was a connection)like most people so I didn't have the same mentallity going into the book. Go into this book with an open mind, with all it's twists and turns you'll need it. I love how it keeps you geussing, I strongly recommend this book to every one. You will love it's genius.

Like most of the other reviewers I bought this book {and its not easy to find anymore) because of the Stevie link to it.
I'm a huge fan of Stevie Nicks and I just had to read the book that she was reading while she wrote one of her most famous and beautiful songs Rhiannon. The other reviewer is correct when they said they the Rhiannon in the book bears no resemblance whatsoever to the Rhiannon in the song.
The Rhiannon in the book is a cruel, maniacal, horrible person who would fit the definition of psychopath perfectly.I think Stevie was inspired by the name Rhiannon in the book but I think thats as far as her taking inspiration from the book went.

But on to the book itself.Its terrific.The story was well defined, well laid out and I thought the story idea was kind of original for the early 70s. To me it is in no way an Exorcist ripoff.Its nothing like the Exorcist.It had a huge twist at the end that I didn't really see coming .Just when you thought things were one way, it veered off in another direction.
Poor Branwen. How horrible that she was haunted and tormented by the evil Rhiannon.So read it not because of the Nicks connection, but because you'd like to enjoy a great Supernatural thriller.

This is an exceptional treat for anyone interested in possession, multiple personality disorder, celtic folklore, and having illicit affairs with your psychiatrist. I loved it! VERY hard to find. A real twisted supernatural gem.

Branwen, our heroine is trapped between two worlds... one real and the other false. Written in the first person, readers will feel the things she feels, see the things she sees, and become what she becomes. This little-known novel is powerful and pleasant to read. I loved every word of it.

Another reviewer mentioned that this book was the one Stevie Nicks was reading when she wrote Rhiannon and that the song was related to the story. A long time Fleetwood Mac fan, I pulled out the CD and listened to the song both while I was reading the book and after I was finished with it. Though it does follow to a very small extent, the mythology of the name Rhiannon, it doesn't reflect on the story at all. The Rhiannon of the book is cruel and extremely vicious, a character with no virtue, yet the song is not about a character like that.

The same reviewer recommended the book if you like mythology. Celtic mythology is discussed in only the barest terms. It isn't discussed at length, only to the slightest extent.

So if you are looking for insight into the song Rhiannon or looking for extensive mythology discussion, this is not the book for you. Buy a Celtic mythology book for the myths and buy the music CD for the beautiful song.

triad is a novel of relationships,deep set/unresolved guilt,split personalities,
and welsh mythology. mary leader has written an engrossing story.
we are introduced to branwen ericsson(at adulthood) and then we are taken back to her childhood (nine years old). a chilhood marred by her poisonous relationship
with her cousin rhiannon. rhiannon is thirteen years old and selfish,self absorbed,
cruel and a true liar. in short,rhiannon is a nightmare to branwen. branwen was
always the target of rhiannon's cruelty..... then one day,branwen accidentally ends the life of rhiannon. over the years,all the hidden guilt that branwen is feeling manifests
itself as a split personality. the person branwen hears talking to her is rhiannon!
there are sections of the book that are very touching like,the loving relationship that branwen has with her uncle peter and branwen's confession/conversation with
a father of the catholic church. there are a few "supernatural" scenes involving
birds flying in the air that i did not understand but,still a interesting story
and i wish i could say it was a happy ending for branwen but,there is not.

The only reason I ordered this book, is Stevie Nicks, of Fleetwood Mac, mentioned it was her inspiration for her great "Rhiannon" song...
The book, itself, is ok, but I wouldn't brag about it or recommend it.
You can get a good used price on it, so worth the price, if you are a curious Stevie fan :)