The Magic Cup

by Andrew M. Greeley

Book Overview

A Quest for the Holy Grail In this novel of legendary Ireland, Andrew Greeley takes you back into a long-ago time of mists and magic, faith and love. Here you will meet Cormac MacDermot, the young... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446324388
• ISBN13: 9780446324380
• Release Date: January 1985
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Loved this book

This is NOT your typical A. Greeley Irish Catholic mystery. A Celtic fantasy myth, becomes a wonderful tale under Greeley's pen. Adventure, growth and love it is all here. Exciting characters. Magical locales. A fun read.The Magic Cup (Tor Fantasy)

Wonderful story!

Anything by Andrew Greeley is well written and also well worth reading, but this fantasy tale is especially fun to read.

Irish Fantasy

The Magic Cup is very different from other novels by Greeley. It is a fantasy based upon ancient Irish legends. It is a story of Cormac MacDermot, the Tanaise, the expected High King of Tara, and his quest to claim his crown. According to the legend, the tanaise is required to find and obtain the "magic cup", a lovely jeweled chalice, and the mysterious princess Delvcaem. Having accomplished these tasks he can claim Tara, his Kingdom, and make Ireland Christian. On his journey he is accompanied by Briget, whom he calls biddy, and his mighty hound Podraig The challenges Cormac faces on his quest are interesting: monstrous animals and people; a seemingly endless sea with massive storms; mountainous natural barriers. The characters are real and the descriptions of locations and events are colorful and realistic. Greeley's depiction of being soaked in a rainstorm left me chilled and feeling wet. The author is especially talented at describing moods and dreams. Some of the dreams are so realistic I felt I was actually present. The descriptions are wonderful, however, even more fascinating are the interactions among the characters with their fears, joys, prejudices, and superstitions. The relationship between Cormac and Briget is especially nice. They progress slowly from strangers through master and slave, and finally friends with mutual respect and admiration. Their interactions are vital to the tale. They endure sort of a courtship, testing each other, shyly observing each other, and helping and saving one another. Cormac is similar to many of Andrew Greeley's males. He is clueless toward women. He knows he is attracted to them, feels the need for sexual encounter, but fears a real relationship with a woman. He does not understand women, but does not seem to realize the extent of his misunderstanding. Cormac starts as an intelligent but deeply depressed man who struggles to accept his destiny. He broods, dreams and demonstrates that he is unhappy about his role in life. It requires numerous adventures to awaken Cormac to his mission. Observing Cormac struggle through some of his challenges, I was often amazed that he could continue. The obstacles he encounters are impressive. He overcomes each trial, usually by the skin of his teeth. Like many females that precede her, Briget is one of Greeley's strong Irish women. Bridget is a slave girl who is bonded to Cormac. She doesn't really treat Cormac as her better, or as master or King. She seems to believe that he is just a big oaf who needs her care. She sees herself as plain and unworthy, but is outspoken and often sarcastic. Briget is obviously gifted but unschooled and undisciplined. Her heart is generous and she takes good care of Cormac. She often dreams of becoming his queen and without realizing it she comes to love him. I enjoyed meeting Cormac and Briget. This is a fun novel and I recommend it.

Love this Book

I bought this when it was out the first time around and read it to shreds (literally, the book fell apart). I'm not usually a fan of this genre, but this one did it for me. I saw it in the store today, picked it up, and I know I'll have it read again by the end of the night. Well written, fun characters, written just like the old Andrew Greeley novels. Thanks for re-releasing it!

Charming erotic fantasy with a real Celtic feel.

The Magic Cup is wonderful. It is a romantic story with a plot that hinges on a prophecy much as does the movie Willow. The girl is adorable, the guy is great and both are believable characters. It is somewhat reminiscent of Morgan Llewellyn in its strong ties to historical events and the author's obvious familiarity with all the specifically Irish elements of myth. Lovers of her books and also of Diana L. Paxson are likely to treasure this hard-to-find book.