5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love, Irish Style, January 23, 2007
This review is from: Weddings and Courtships - Ireland (Paperback)
Lisa Shea has finally penned the end of a long-held Irish myth...that the Irish are a bit backward in the romance department. Finally! The record has been set straight: the Irish do believe in romance. Many Irish children grew up never suspecting that the parents might be in the least interested in one another---the Irish were definitely circumspect in the last century---yet there were babies appearing every year like clockwork...and sometimes even "Irish twins." Irish twins describes a year with two little brothers, sisters, or one of each (even, as in the case of some cousins, Irish triplets, a brother born in January and twin sisters in November.) Now, if that prospect hasn't brought about a reconsideration of any romantic inclinations, read on...
In Weddings & Courtship in Ireland, Lisa Shea reveals the true romantic Irish soul. Irish folklore is full of stories of the mating game, and there are traditions to guide us on every step of the process. Whether it has to do with divining the intentions of the fellow, the wording of the proposal, or the reason behind the Irish way of doing things...generally practical as well as romantic, the author has added it to her charming collection of Irish love lore.
While the parents may have been shy, we all figured out eventually that there was something pretty special going on between them. Indeed. Stories of Irish lovers of old, like Conor and Ethne, Queen Maeve and Aillil, CuChulain and Emer are powerful and passionate. In the early days, the Irish used trial marriages to test their commitment, women were the social equals of men, and there were seasons and reasons for every human endeavor. These traditions have come down to us through the ages, sometimes disguised to suit the political climate, but as Lisa has no trouble convincing us, love always wins out in the end.
With St. Valentine's Day fast approaching, the launch of Lisa's Weddings and Courtship series, which includes volumes on Italy and France as well, is perfectly timed. Reading Weddings & Courtship in Ireland you'll find songs, toasts, poems, quotes, and tales for lovers young and old. And since we're on the subject, I'll throw in the little poem that Auntie Mary taught me one lonesome Sunday afternoon: "Oh blessed Saint Ann, send me a man, as fast as you can." And then, there he was, he was right behind me. Smiling.
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4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
just your typical nothing special book, June 17, 2007
This review is from: Weddings and Courtships - Ireland (Paperback)
There were no special courtship and marriage rituals in this book except one that is not used in America and other cultures. It was a dissapointment to us both as we were looking forward to a bit more exciting things to learn for our dating period and for our wedding, instead we simply turned to a friend who knows much more about the real ways of Ireland and between us and our studies of the old ways and the Christian ways we had a lovely courtship and wedding despite the books lack of information. The author needs a little less generalism and a little more resaearch and soaking in the cultures. All her books are too similar.I am sorry to say.
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