The King of Ireland's son

by Padraic Colum

1962

Status

Available

Call number

EUR

Genres

Children's Books

Fiction

Publication

Macmillan (1962), Unknown Binding

Description

The King of Ireland's Son sets out to find the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands and meets the Enchanter's daughter, Fedelma. His adventures lead him to the Land of the Mist, the Town of the Red Castle, and the worlds of Gilly of the Goatskin, the Hags of the Long Teeth, Princess Flame-of-Wine, and the Giant Crom Duv. This is a true Irish wonder tale: a coming of age story of the youngest son of the King of Ireland who sets off on an impossible quest. The stories weave together, stories within stories, in a fantastic tapestry of humour, poetry, action and adventure. Perfect for reading al

User reviews

LibraryThing member deirdrea

A remarkable book! I loved it as a child, and still love it today. Colum weaves the threads of many Irish folktales, myths and legends into a single story -- "the unique tale" -- and sends his heroes (3, including a girl!) on a quest to discover that same story, and by so doing, to discover

themselves. Complicated? Yes! but in the way that a piece of Waterford crystal, or an ancient illuminated manuscript is complicated. Intricate, perhaps, but not overly involved or confusing. Just lovely!
And, speaking of illuminations, the illustrations by Willy Pogany are marvelous!

Show Less

2 more

LibraryThing member caro488

Colum, Padraic - The King of Ireland's Son - mish-mosh of tales - bewitched princesses, brothers turned into swans, heroes who must accomplish an impossible task to win a bride - snooze-fest, and all the various princes became confusing - even moreso when at the end they all turn out to be

brothers. Just how many children can a queen lose in one lifetime...?)

Show Less

LibraryThing member katieloucks

My teacher read part of this to us in second grade - I didn't totally get it, but I liked it.

Fewer