In the winter of 1951, a storyteller, the last practitioner of an honored, centuries-old tradition, arrives at the home of nine-year-old Ronan O’Mara in the Irish countryside. For three wonderful evenings, the old gentleman enthralls his assembled local audience with narratives of foolish kings, fabled saints, and Ireland’s enduring accomplishments before moving on. But these nights change young … young Ronan forever, setting him on a years-long pursuit of the elusive, itinerant storyteller and the glorious tales that are no less than the saga of his tenacious and extraordinary isle.
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A great book on Irish History. Although it isn’t “fact” there is enough truism woven into the story to bring Irish History alive to those who desire to learn a bit more about the Emerald Isle.
It was so good! I wanted to be sitting at the storytellers feet listening in rapt attention!
“Ireland” is a story about storytellers who live to tell the story of Ireland’s history and the people who made that history. It is also a love story, a sad love story. The characters are so real that I wanted to know where to visit them. What a wonderful read and a wonderful mind that wrote it.
There aren’t many books I keep and re-read. This is one of them. It’s a marvelous story.
This has become one of my favorite books! Frank Delaney presents well crafted characters and an appealing story line. I would highly recommend the book!
Loved this, both the characters and the history and story.
I read it while preparing for a trip to Ireland. Brought back memories of other Irish books.
I loved this book.
I loved this! Good vacation/week-end book.
I love all of the Delaney work. I listened to this one on Audible and LOVED the accents. Very vivid and entertaining while being informative of Irish history.
Did not finish it. Could not get into it.
Wonderful story about a man’s life long quest to reconnect with someone from his childhood.
Having lived in Ireland in the 1980’s I found this book to be very informative about the history of a place I loved. Written with wit and an understanding of the Irish people.
Great history of Ireland related through stories set in different eras throughout history.
It had me from page one. Intelligent story telling and characters that drew me in like no other. I learned so much about the history of Ireland along the way. Totally recommend this book
I considered giving only 4 stars since this novel didn’t distract me as a thriller might. However, the writing was so exquisite and clever, I had to give it the total 5. I felt as if I knew the author, as if he might be a part of me. It’s many short stories, part fiction and part history, within a larger story of a fictional boy destined to become …
There were some very interesting fables and possibly true stories in this book. It was somewhat difficult to read because the myths/fables/stories were entwined with the main story but all in all, I do recommend this book.
Slow
After I read this, I read every other book the author has written, and missed the characters when I was finished. I can’t recommend this book enough, and if you enjoy Irish stories and Irish history, you’re in for a treat. Enjoy!
Fascinating! I loved reading it.