The Feast (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "POISON-TONGUED BRICRIU LOOKED sourly around his spacious house, Dun Rubraige..." (more)
Key Phrases: Red Branch, Champion's Portion, Emain Macha (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Continuing his expansive retelling of the ancient Irish epic of Cuchulainn begun in The Raid (Forge, 1997), Eickhoff spotlights the swashbuckling and humorous tale of the feast of Fled Bricriu, god of mischief. Traversing between this and the "otherworld," three of Ireland's great mythic heroes enter into a battle of wits, swords, and elements to be named Champion of Conchobor of Nessa's realm in Ulster and win the accompanying privileges. As the competition unfolds, Bricriu sends them on a rollicking quest. What Eickhoff's modern retelling loses in poetic form it more than makes up for in colorful, lively prose, complete with a glossary that does much to enhance understanding of the historical context. Predating Sir Gaiwain and the Green Knight, this portion of the epic Ulster Cycle has been known since the eighth century. Readers of mythology and lovers of the richness that is Irish literature will find this modern retelling accessible and most entertaining.ASusan Gene Clifford, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The current vogue for all things Celtic has spurred interest in the ancient mythological figures and tales of Ireland. Iron Age Celtic material was recorded in writing many hundreds of years later by Celtic monks who were not far removed from the values and ideals of their ancestors. Eickhoff, who previously recast the great epic Tain bo Cuailnge as the novel The Raid, now turns his attention to the Fled Bricrend, the feast of Bricriu. A sharp-tongued man, Bricriu has been banished from the high king's court for sowing dissension among the warriors. To retaliate, Bricriu stages a great feast, then sets the greatest warriors of Ulster, including the awesomely powerful Cuchulain, to arguing about who gets the "hero's portion," the greatest honor of any feast. Those looking for sentimental Irishness should go elsewhere, for there's plenty of magic and loads of sex in this sprawling, bawdy entertainment. Patricia Monaghan

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Forge; 1st edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031286647X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312866471
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,455,955 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Feast, November 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Feast: A Dramatic Retelling of Ireland's Epic Tale (Ulster Cycle) (Paperback)

A notably raunchy, sometimes downright grotesque, translation of the Old Irish text. I wearied of the constant mentions of women's bodies -- there's only so many times an author can use terms like "bouncing buddies" (sic) without getting stupid, and Eickhoff uses them repetitively. Granted, the original text is not G-rated, but in the course of fictionalizing the author has exaggerated the nastier elements as much as humanly possible--the women as objects is bad enough, the fart jokes are *really* uninteresting.

Eickhoff's introduction shows that he does have scholarly credentials, and when he's not being a 12-year-old boy, he does have a good sense of comedic timing. But too much is too much.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! A remarkable translation!, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This is a remarkable translation that gives the reader insight into the cultural background of modern day Ireland. Eickhoff is a gifted individual who has an uncanny insight into the life of pre-Christian Ireland.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Feast, November 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Feast: A Dramatic Retelling of Ireland's Epic Tale (Ulster Cycle) (Paperback)

A notably raunchy, sometimes downright grotesque, translation of the Old Irish text. I wearied of the constant mentions of women's bodies -- there's only so many times an author can use terms like "bouncing buddies" (sic) without getting stupid, and Eickhoff uses them repetitively. Granted, the original text is not G-rated, but in the course of fictionalizing the author has exaggerated the nastier elements as much as humanly possible--the women as objects is bad enough, the fart jokes are *really* uninteresting.
Eickhoff's introduction shows that he does have scholarly credentials, and when he's not being a 12-year-old boy, he does have a good sense of comedic timing. But too much is too much.