Finn Mac Cool

by Morgan Llywelyn

Book Overview

Somewhere in the shadowy borderland between myth and history lies the territory of Finn Mac Cool. Mightiest of the Irish heroes, leader of the invincible army of Fianna, he was a man of many faces: warrior, poet, lover, creator, and destroyer. Finn Mac Cool is a man taken from one of the lowest classes of Irish society, driven by ambition and strength to rise above his birth and bring new respect and status to his people. He had it all and lost it...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312854765
• ISBN13: 9780312854768
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

An enthralling read

Finn Mac Cool is a young officer in the Fianna, the army nominally under the control of the High King of Eire. Finn is a great warrior, a teller of magical tales, and a man of vision. Rising to head the Fianna, and as such second in power only to the High King, he reshapes it in his own image, into an object of honor. But there is no "happily ever after" for Finn Mac Cool. Growing older, he finds that his body can no longer keep up the pace that it did, he begins to find it difficult to tell which of his own tales are true and false, and other people begin to reshape his world to his detriment. What should he do, and how should he do it?I actually finished this book days ago, but have had to take the time to sort out my feelings about it. Ms. Llywelyn has written a powerful story. She has taken the old Irish legends of Finn Mac Cool, and retold them in the form of historical fiction. Finn is presented as a larger-than-life man, one whose peculiar talents can make him and can also unmake him.This book is an enthralling read. It contains stories of action, and stories about life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

The best of Llywelyn

I have now read at least 10 Llywelyn books. Although this was about 4th in my reading order, I consider it the best of all. Llywelyn blends the best of historical fiction with fantasy and myth, and it makes for a superior read. I got tears in my eyes at the end. Her characters have depth and I have learned so much about Irish history. I can't wait for another book!

A masterpeice

I read this book in 6 days! I enjoyed it so much I almost picked it up again and reread it. Finn Mac Cool is a masterpiece written by a talented author. After I finished this book I went out and bought Red Branch and the Lion of Ireland. I give this book 2 thumbs up.

An Epic Saga told by a true Bard

I found this to be an oustanding piece of work by Morgan, She is one of the few authors that actually knows what she is talking about, especially in the historical novel genre. Finn is so delightfully portrayed in this book as to make him a homespun hero. With the landscape so accurately described it is easy to enjoy this book, because you know you are getting first hand information from someone who takes the time to research and immmerse herself in the story.