I stopped reading this book in Chapter 7 because I just couldn't take it anymore - it was mostly dull stories with some interesting tidbits thrown in every once in a while.The beginning of this novel was alright. The best parts of the book for me were the descriptions about that time period in general (the Romans leaving Britain, the Christians slowly making their way over, the druids, etc.). I never really cared for any of the characters. They all seemed pretty flat to me. This is a problem I have with Rutherfurd - the book finally started to get interesting to me, and that's when he decided to move it along 500 years! I was FINALLY looking forward to what the group of characters in chapters 1-3 would do (Deidre, Conall, etc.), and what happens at Chapter 4? New characters, new century! I'm used to Rutherfurd changing time periods and characters every chapter, so when I started this book, I expected that. But once chapter 3 had the same people, I thought maybe the book would progress differently (the genealogy chart isn't showing up well on the Kindle at all so I couldn't get any clues from it - first time I wish I had the actual book). Needless to say, I was slightly frustrated! I knew this was bound to happen with Rutherfurd, but why spend so much time with these people at the beginning of the book? If it would have ended at chapter 2, I would have been fine - certain things happened that seemed like an appropriate ending, so Rutherfurd could have moved on with their descendents a few hundred years later at that point. I don't feel like chapter 3 was a sufficient ending for these characters, and I wish he would have ended it earlier or given them another chapter. (Sorry this review is a little cryptic - I just don't want to post any spoilers!)I thought chapters 4 and 5 were pretty decent, but I hated the Sigurd character. I didn't hate him because he was a bad guy (although he was) - I hated him because I thought the character was stupid. Due to Rutherfurd's writing style, I realize there isn't going to be as much character development as in other books, but I don't like characters who are all "good" or all "evil", and there just didn't seem to be any redeeming qualities to Sigurd. He was the typical "bad guy", and that just made him predictable and boring to me. (Once again, I'm leaving details out - I wrote more about this in the European Royalty group's discussion threads - http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/2... )There were some interesting parts to chapter 6, but it's just getting buried under all the political/military stuff, and by chapter 7 I gave up.
From the internationally bestselling author of London and Sarum -- a magnificent epic about love and war, family life and political intrigue in Ireland over the course of seventeen centuries. Like the novels of James Michener, The Princes of Ireland brilliantly interweaves engrossing fiction and well-researched fact to capture the essence of a place.Edward Rutherfurd has introduced millions of readers to the human dramas that are the lifeblood of history. From his first bestseller, Sarum, to the #1 bestseller London, he has captivated audiences with gripping narratives that follow the fortunes of several fictional families down through the ages. The Princes of Ireland, a sweeping panorama steeped in the tragedy and glory that is Ireland, epitomizes the power and richness of Rutherfurd's storytelling magic.The saga begins in pre-Christian Ireland with a clever refashioning of the legend of Cuchulainn, and culminates in the dramatic founding of the Free Irish State in 1922. Through the interlocking stories of a wonderfully imagined cast of characters -- monks and noblemen, soldiers and rebels, craftswomen and writers -- Rutherfurd vividly conveys the personal passions and shared dreams that shaped the character of the country. He takes readers inside all the major events in Irish history: the reign of the fierce and mighty kings of Tara; the mission of Saint Patrick; the Viking invasion and the founding of Dublin; the trickery of Henry II, which gave England its foothold on the island in 1167; the plantations of the Tudors and the savagery of Cromwell; the flight of the "Wild Geese"; the failed rebellion of 1798; the Great Famine and the Easter Rebellion. With Rutherfurd's well-crafted storytelling, readers witness the rise of the Fenians in the late nineteenth century, the splendours of the Irish cultural renaissance, and the bloody battles for Irish independence, as though experiencing their momentous impact firsthand.Tens of millions of North Americans claim Irish descent. Generations of people have been enchanted by Irish literature, and visitors flock to Dublin and its environs year after year. The Princes of Ireland will appeal to all of them -- and to anyone who relishes epic entertainment spun by a master.
What do You think about The Princes Of Ireland (2005)?
It's the second book I read on Ireland. And I'm beginning to fall deeply in love with the country, its culture, and most of all its history.I think, it's my first historical fiction and I'm still in awe on how the author magnificently stitched scenes of everyday life by ordinary people with history.It's only, and only, sheer hard work.The book begins with ancient Ireland where people still believe in old gods. From the first chapter, the author already made readers to understand how faithful the Irish are in their religion. How can a man ever agree to be the sacrificial lamb leaving a son and his mother? I was a little pissed in this first chapter because my first thought was how selfish is this man? But as I went through the journey, I understood how important religion and spirituality are to the Irish.The book spans generations: from Medieval times to King Henry's rule. I appreciate Rutherfurd's efforts to constantly remind readers whose descendants are the characters in a new chapter.I still had those "wandering mind" moments maybe because it's too extensive and teeming with details. But, generally, it's an easy-to-read book. If only history books are written this way: full of historical details but come with drama, espionage, suspense, and a trickle of comedy.At 776 pages, I still find some lacking elements such a more graphic battle scenes. Sometimes, he would end the battle scene just as it had begun which is such a bummer. I was looking for a Tolkien-type fight grandiose scenes with blood and gore alas, there's none.There are stories that were left open-ended and I'm not sure if I'll have a way of finding out what happened to those characters. There were some unanswered mysteries. I just hope to find answers in the next book.I was contemplating of reading Game of Thrones. I first found this book here on Goodreads and was glad I found this book in Booksale for only P50. This is a steal. And I'm wondering why it's not available in local bookstores..
—Marlet
My husband & I had a 2-week road trip and wanted an audiobook that we both might enjoy as we have very different tastes in books. I was not in favor of this book but gave in to his request. In the end, I think I might have enjoyed it more than he did although he also did like it and would have rated it about 3 1/2 stars.The book follows characters, their eventual families and descendents from about the 400s to the 1500s. Their is a lot of history and explanation of historical events, some in which I got a bit bogged down. There are also vivid descriptions of the area and how people lived during these times.There are also great characters that capture your attention as you watch them interact with others and their world and the events occurring around them.Although very long, a very interesting and enjoyable book.
—Michele
I picked up this book just before heading out on a vacation to Ireland. This book was so good that the trip itself would not have been as fulfilling without it. Everytime a character went to a specific area, our trip took us there the very next day. I was able to have a background for almost every tour we took and every area we visited. Although many of the characters were completely fictional, their interactions with historical events and historical characters allowed me to see what it may have been like to live during each time period.
—Quincy
