Ireland 590 A.D.Brutally beaten, she’s lost her memory and found a new life. If she recovers, will she lose more than she gains?A woman is found by a track, nearly dead from appalling wounds and remembers nothing. Her terror and her injuries are so great that she is given sanctuary in Mother Gobnait’s unusual community of nuns, while all around her a war is being waged in which she is a pawn. The … she is a pawn. The women name her Aine.
Disturbing fragments of Áine’s memory begin to surface, and in desperation she asks to remain in the safety of the community, but is it really safe for her anywhere?
It is only after events take another terrible turn that Áine is forced to discover who she really is and make life-changing choices – but will they prove to be her undoing?
A literary novel inspired by real women – complex female characters who strain against the cruel chains and crippling prejudices of a society where no woman has power. Except, perhaps, one…
‘a fascinating novel that gives a real sense of life as it might have been during one of the most turbulent periods in Irish history….There is evidence of meticulous research, and it is difficult not to be impressed by how the author manages to blend fiction with legend, keeping faithful to the stories surrounding St Gobnait, but building a narrative against these given details, one that spins off in its own intriguing directions. ..Miss Gleeson’s natural storytelling guile and clear functional prose keeps the focus intact… Ultimately this is a fascinating story, one that not only shines a light on an often overlooked period of Ireland’s past, but also meditates on such fundamental facts of life as identity, family loyalty, love, faith and justice.’ Irish Examiner
Kristin Gleeson has performed with admirable deftness the difficult trick of sweeping the reader back in time to the distant emotional and physical landscapes of 6th century Ireland. The result is a highly readable and continuously rewarding novel that the reader does not want to end—Tim Weed, author of “Will Poole’s Island.”
I found in this well-told story, the first strokes of paint on the huge, mostly blank, canvas that is our image and perception of our Irish or Gaelic past – the canvas of our increasingly dispossessed native culture. I found myself drawn into a realm that felt oddly familiar and full of cultural touchstones of the indigenous Irish past, faint echoes of which still linger in parts of this island today.”In Praise of the Bees” is a good read. Guím faoi scáth is dídean Gobnait is Abáin tú – go mairir—Peadar Ó Riada
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This book is beautifully written. It was thoroughly researched. The insight into Ireland and how people lived in the early middle ages is very enlightening.
Very well written with an unusual twist
I love historical fiction and this measured up. I particularly enjoyed the unexpected twists.
The location and subject matter were interesting to me. It is pleasent read, very interesting keeps you involved until the end.
It takes a special talent to sweep a reader comfortably into an era of which they have little, if any knowledge. Kristin Gleeson possesses this talent in her novel set in 590 A.D. in Ireland. Full of rich characters, the setting settles in around a story that could be of any time and place, but is all the better for being where it is. The Irish Gaelic words scattered throughout the text bring the reader further and further into the story. And finally, the author’s few words of explanation at the end make you wish to visit Ireland and see the wonders for yourself.
Very enjoyable historical novel depicting life in a nunnery.
This book stays with you. It is original in its plot and story line. It’s characters had development and were created with a depth that made the reader feel as if s/he truly knew them over time. The tale itself was not one that’s been rewritten in various forms, but an interesting new piece of literature with twists and ethical conundrums that allows the reader to not only read the book, but become involved in it. I highly recommend this inspiring piece of work.
I’d rate this a 10 – it was such a pleasure to read. The time period, 7th century Ireland = fascinating. The characters = compelling and charming. The atmosphere = tranquil, meditative – until the actual solution of the ‘mystery’. Most satisfying!
Pretty bad, I couldn’t finish it
Took a little bit to get into, but liked the character development, and historical details.
Am interested in many things Celtic and that lead me to choose this book. It has been a couple of months since I read the book and I still find myself thinking about passages from the book.
In Praise of Bees had an interesting story line and well developed characters. It was a glimpse into a time and place I don’t usually explore in my reading. It was a bit slow in spots and the use of the correct terms for the time period got tiresome. It almost seemed like the author was overly proud to show us that she had done her research. The story was a good one; however, and I was motivated to see how it ended.