What do you think?
Rate this book
The Magic Cup
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 king destined to lead Ireland out of paganism to Christianity; his aged father, now on the throne, and the seductive witch-queen who holds the country in thrall. Here also is the lovely slave girl Brigid. As light-footed as an Irish pixie, she will help Cormac seek the magic cup that will confirm his right to be High King of Ireland. Over mountain and river they will journey, beset by perils. But when their enemies capture Brigid, and Cormac strives to save her, he will see that the little slave girl is a great deal more than she seems.
294 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
10 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Andrew M. Greeley
373 books317 followersAndrew Greeley was a Roman Catholic priest, sociologist, journalist, and author of 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of nonfiction. For decades, Greeley entertained readers with such popular characters as the mystery-solving priest Blackie Ryan and the fey, amateur sleuth Nuala Anne McGrail. His books typically center on Irish-American Roman Catholics living or working in Chicago.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/andrew...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/andrew...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 29, 2013
I’ve often wondered how a celibate priest like the late Andrew Greeley could describe both the sensuality and the passion of love so profoundly. The Magic Cup is a retelling of the Grail legend that touches both Irish and Christian sensibilities. And, as the Grail legend inevitably involves a romance component, it was necessary for Greeley to be able to navigate the torpid waters of desire, lust, sensuality, and even discipline in the service of love.
In The Magic Cup, the protagonist is the future high king of Ireland (the Tanaise, the designated successor to the current Ardri or high king) and he seems fated to relive an earlier legend in order to wrest control from the pagan lover of his allegedly Christian father.
As a result, the story unfolds as an allegory of the Christianizing (if you will) of Ireland and the Grail proves (as it often does in Grail legends—including the Indiana Jones version) not to be quite what you expect it to be. Greely walked a narrow path between syncretism, acceptance of ambiguity, and cognitive dissonance as he unveiled the narrative. It is, as so much of his work, masterful.
The symbol of the pagan tradition is Finnabair while Cormac (the Tanaise) claims to be a follower of King Jesus. The pivotal character in the story is more Brigid (nicknamed “Biddy”) in the story, a pagan slave girl who is devoted to the future king and provides the dialogue which challenges and refines Cormac’s Christianity. Knowing Greeley’s background, one knows how he will weave the final draft, but the conclusion has a very appropriate point that both isn’t and is orthodox. Greeley’s perspective is, as always, refreshing even as it is affirming. He demonstrates beautifully how our personal weaknesses and free will can still cause us to enter the cycle of fate—not because life is predetermined but because we accommodate that which we believe to be fate.
There were three simple lines that resonated with me. The first was on storytelling. “Indeed, wise old man, the hero must always suffer; otherwise, why would there be stories?” (p. 77) Why, indeed? If there were no suffering, if there was no obstacle, how would stories encourage us in difficult times and inspire us to great times? The sentiment may be idealistic, but I sense a veracity in that simple bit of conversation. The second sounds almost “eastern” in its philosophy, but it rings true in western thought as well. Cormac offers a prophecy which may be “obvious” but is too often ignored. “You will find what you seek when you find that which is what you seek.” (p. 120) Certainly, we need to put our eyes on the goal before we can really accomplish what we really want to accomplish. Yeah, it seems so “motivational speaker”-speak, but it’s good advice. The third was obvious, but demonstrated throughout the book, “…mercy is harder than hatred.” (p. 278) I think King Jesus would approve.
In fact, though I didn’t feel like this novel was as well-placed as other novels I’ve read from Greeley, I think King Jesus would wholeheartedly approve of this—much as I believe King Jesus approves of the work of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, and Charles Williams. You don’t have to be a believer in Christ to enjoy this story, but I believe that those who have a relationship with Jesus will enjoy it the most.
In The Magic Cup, the protagonist is the future high king of Ireland (the Tanaise, the designated successor to the current Ardri or high king) and he seems fated to relive an earlier legend in order to wrest control from the pagan lover of his allegedly Christian father.
As a result, the story unfolds as an allegory of the Christianizing (if you will) of Ireland and the Grail proves (as it often does in Grail legends—including the Indiana Jones version) not to be quite what you expect it to be. Greely walked a narrow path between syncretism, acceptance of ambiguity, and cognitive dissonance as he unveiled the narrative. It is, as so much of his work, masterful.
The symbol of the pagan tradition is Finnabair while Cormac (the Tanaise) claims to be a follower of King Jesus. The pivotal character in the story is more Brigid (nicknamed “Biddy”) in the story, a pagan slave girl who is devoted to the future king and provides the dialogue which challenges and refines Cormac’s Christianity. Knowing Greeley’s background, one knows how he will weave the final draft, but the conclusion has a very appropriate point that both isn’t and is orthodox. Greeley’s perspective is, as always, refreshing even as it is affirming. He demonstrates beautifully how our personal weaknesses and free will can still cause us to enter the cycle of fate—not because life is predetermined but because we accommodate that which we believe to be fate.
There were three simple lines that resonated with me. The first was on storytelling. “Indeed, wise old man, the hero must always suffer; otherwise, why would there be stories?” (p. 77) Why, indeed? If there were no suffering, if there was no obstacle, how would stories encourage us in difficult times and inspire us to great times? The sentiment may be idealistic, but I sense a veracity in that simple bit of conversation. The second sounds almost “eastern” in its philosophy, but it rings true in western thought as well. Cormac offers a prophecy which may be “obvious” but is too often ignored. “You will find what you seek when you find that which is what you seek.” (p. 120) Certainly, we need to put our eyes on the goal before we can really accomplish what we really want to accomplish. Yeah, it seems so “motivational speaker”-speak, but it’s good advice. The third was obvious, but demonstrated throughout the book, “…mercy is harder than hatred.” (p. 278) I think King Jesus would approve.
In fact, though I didn’t feel like this novel was as well-placed as other novels I’ve read from Greeley, I think King Jesus would wholeheartedly approve of this—much as I believe King Jesus approves of the work of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, George MacDonald, and Charles Williams. You don’t have to be a believer in Christ to enjoy this story, but I believe that those who have a relationship with Jesus will enjoy it the most.
January 11, 2019
This book was almost entirely crap, right from the beginning. By pushing myself to finish it, I found that the last few chapter are actually well-written and a good story. Unfortunately, that is not true for the whole piece. To me, the author is very clearly someone who doesn't know much about women; we do not tremble in terror and pleasurable anticipation of being raped. The storyline jumps around too much and too fast without clear transitions. Even through these difficulties, the consistently biggest problem for me was the mostly unrealistic characters with whom I couldn't connect.
January 29, 2016
Cute irish fable.
March 15, 2021
It’s ancient Ireland, and everyone is horny.
Before the actual book review, a quick recap about author Andrew Greeley: probably the best-selling priest of all time, Greeley wrote a variety of fantasies, mysteries, and other pot-boilers. His books were always overtly religious, but a particular brand of progressive Catholic—for example, Greeley was against the ban on contraceptives for married couples, arguing that non-procreative sex was part of the holy bond of matrimony. In his work he tended to wrap religious homilies in steamy and sordid themes. This meant that for me as a young woman growing up in the 80s in rural Maine, Greeley’s books were some of the raciest things in our public library (this isn’t saying much; the sex in them tends to be clear but not explicit) and I gobbled them up.
“The Magic Cup” is a fantasy book set in medieval Ireland, and Greeley wastes no time getting to his thoughts on love and sex. The opening chapter is from the point of view of an abbot’s middle-aged wife, and establishes a few things immediately:
1. Husbands and wives can still lust after each other regularly after years of marriage (Ann’s thoughts about her husband are both tender and carnal).
2. Middle aged women can still enjoy sex.
3. Being faithfully married doesn’t mean a middle-aged woman can’t have lusty appreciation for a handsome stranger she takes in from a storm.
Oddly, I think Greeley’s books might have been one of the few popular culture artifacts in the 80s I read that posited that sexual attraction is normal, natural, wide-ranging and fun for men and women, old and young, married and unmarried. For me it was pretty radical, and as a middle-aged married woman myself now I might appreciate it even more.
The story itself is uneven (I believe this was Greeley’s first book), especially in pacing—the plot tends to jolt along like a cart on a rough road, lurching past major events to drop the reader in media res at the beginning of another chapter, then sort of sailing past years of time in-world. And the hero Cormac will not be to everyone’s liking; in the middle of this re-reading I realized he and his slave-girl/lover Brigid’s relationship is very much in the mold of Rochester and Jane Eyre—the brooding, imperious, self-pitying nobleman whose high-handed ways hide a tender heart bruised by the world; the outwardly meek servant girl with the core of inner steel and indomitable will. That said, Greeley’s writing just tends to hit the spot for me, somehow. I’m going to re-read some of his other books, but I suspect some of the themes of his stories set in modern days might not have aged as well for me.
Before the actual book review, a quick recap about author Andrew Greeley: probably the best-selling priest of all time, Greeley wrote a variety of fantasies, mysteries, and other pot-boilers. His books were always overtly religious, but a particular brand of progressive Catholic—for example, Greeley was against the ban on contraceptives for married couples, arguing that non-procreative sex was part of the holy bond of matrimony. In his work he tended to wrap religious homilies in steamy and sordid themes. This meant that for me as a young woman growing up in the 80s in rural Maine, Greeley’s books were some of the raciest things in our public library (this isn’t saying much; the sex in them tends to be clear but not explicit) and I gobbled them up.
“The Magic Cup” is a fantasy book set in medieval Ireland, and Greeley wastes no time getting to his thoughts on love and sex. The opening chapter is from the point of view of an abbot’s middle-aged wife, and establishes a few things immediately:
1. Husbands and wives can still lust after each other regularly after years of marriage (Ann’s thoughts about her husband are both tender and carnal).
2. Middle aged women can still enjoy sex.
3. Being faithfully married doesn’t mean a middle-aged woman can’t have lusty appreciation for a handsome stranger she takes in from a storm.
Oddly, I think Greeley’s books might have been one of the few popular culture artifacts in the 80s I read that posited that sexual attraction is normal, natural, wide-ranging and fun for men and women, old and young, married and unmarried. For me it was pretty radical, and as a middle-aged married woman myself now I might appreciate it even more.
The story itself is uneven (I believe this was Greeley’s first book), especially in pacing—the plot tends to jolt along like a cart on a rough road, lurching past major events to drop the reader in media res at the beginning of another chapter, then sort of sailing past years of time in-world. And the hero Cormac will not be to everyone’s liking; in the middle of this re-reading I realized he and his slave-girl/lover Brigid’s relationship is very much in the mold of Rochester and Jane Eyre—the brooding, imperious, self-pitying nobleman whose high-handed ways hide a tender heart bruised by the world; the outwardly meek servant girl with the core of inner steel and indomitable will. That said, Greeley’s writing just tends to hit the spot for me, somehow. I’m going to re-read some of his other books, but I suspect some of the themes of his stories set in modern days might not have aged as well for me.
January 5, 2018
The debut novel of this prolific writer, this story is the grail legend told from an Irish point of view.
Cormac McDermot is to be king after his father, the ailing doddering man who is bewitched by the evil Finnabair. But first he must find the grail cup, the magic cup, with only his wits, his faithful dog, Podragic, and his bondwoman (slave) Brigid, who has made an enemy of the queen-witch.
Adventures abound, and magic is afoot as Cormac, the High King, fights to find the magic princess and the magic cup. Will he survive to find the cup, or will Finnabair destroy the kingdom of Ireland?
Who is the magic princess?
A love story with a twist.
A couple of quotes worth remembering:
"Waiting is praying." (found throughout the novel, mostly uttered by Brigid)
"Mercy is harder than hatred." (p. 232)
Cormac McDermot is to be king after his father, the ailing doddering man who is bewitched by the evil Finnabair. But first he must find the grail cup, the magic cup, with only his wits, his faithful dog, Podragic, and his bondwoman (slave) Brigid, who has made an enemy of the queen-witch.
Adventures abound, and magic is afoot as Cormac, the High King, fights to find the magic princess and the magic cup. Will he survive to find the cup, or will Finnabair destroy the kingdom of Ireland?
Who is the magic princess?
A love story with a twist.
A couple of quotes worth remembering:
"Waiting is praying." (found throughout the novel, mostly uttered by Brigid)
"Mercy is harder than hatred." (p. 232)
December 25, 2023
I read this as a teenager, and boy does it hit different reading it again as an adult! There are several adult themes, as well as some age differences that are not at all okay, but if you keep the perspective of a book set in the 6th century then you can really appreciate the twists ands turns of the story, the sharp witted characters, and truly hilarious one liners. I recommend to anyone that is interested in historical fantasy, Arthurian type legends, and female characters that can put a male character on their rear end with only their words.
October 18, 2022
I found the interactions between this King Cormac and his eventual love interest, Bridget, to be cloying - and since there was so much of it, quite annoying. The only good parts of this novel was the midsection, where they'd been parted from each other for a time. Piffle.
May 6, 2020
A tale of legendary Ireland. A time filled with violence, magic, and love.
September 9, 2021
Awesome read …made u feel like a young child on adventure in the modern world
Read
April 20, 2024Highly enjoyable, Greeley's first novel!
November 2, 2018
I really enjoyed the Irish tale of the holy grail. It was interesting to see the differences in the variety of tales that are out there, and this one was written with such detail and description that it had me instantly hooked.
April 17, 2016
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2618279.html
The first novel published by the famous writer priest, which takes the Grail legend and recasts it in the setting of late pagan / early Christian Ireland. The love between a mature king and a young slave-girl (yeah, really) is a central plot strand. I've enjoyed several of Greeley's later books, but I'm afraid this one was rather boring when it wasn't being skeevy, and the odd spelling variants in Irish names and words grated as well ("Podraig", "Tanaise", "Agadhoe"). I was musing the other day (in a piece that I hope will appear in the Eastercon programme book) how few recent writers are able to take traditional Irish/Celtic themes and do something new and convincing with them, and I'm afraid this book is further testimony to the difficulty of that task. You can skip it in good conscience.
The first novel published by the famous writer priest, which takes the Grail legend and recasts it in the setting of late pagan / early Christian Ireland. The love between a mature king and a young slave-girl (yeah, really) is a central plot strand. I've enjoyed several of Greeley's later books, but I'm afraid this one was rather boring when it wasn't being skeevy, and the odd spelling variants in Irish names and words grated as well ("Podraig", "Tanaise", "Agadhoe"). I was musing the other day (in a piece that I hope will appear in the Eastercon programme book) how few recent writers are able to take traditional Irish/Celtic themes and do something new and convincing with them, and I'm afraid this book is further testimony to the difficulty of that task. You can skip it in good conscience.
June 26, 2009
The Magic Cup is Greeley's version of an irish legend involving a magic cup and a magic princess, a take on the grail legends. Cormac MacDermot is Ireland's Expected High King, and while he may not know what he wants, he does know he doesn't want to be king. His father is dying and under the control of a witch who is destroying Ireland when he finds out that the people believe him to be the hero of an old legend. He decides that he must trace that hero's journey and find his magic cup and the magic princess. Lots of adventure. Fairly predictable, but so are most legends. Very good story though.
October 14, 2012
This is essentially a retelling of the Grail legend in a 6th century Irish setting. According to the notes at the back of the book the Irish saga's of Art MacConn can be interpreted as telling the Grail story in a way which is more in keeping with its pre-Christian Celtic nature. I have to confess that I am not familiar with these stories but the argument put forward by the author sounds plausible.
The story itself is very engaging. The setting as described is very believable. The major characters are sympathetic. The mystical elements are handled with sensitivity and the adventure is well paced. Well worth a read.
The story itself is very engaging. The setting as described is very believable. The major characters are sympathetic. The mystical elements are handled with sensitivity and the adventure is well paced. Well worth a read.
December 14, 2013
This book felt like it took me forever to finish. It was boring, there I said it. I didn't get a good feel for the characters mostly because they were very obsessed with sex. I am sorry but Women do think about sex 24/7 that's just men. Though for all of the obsessing over touching and caressing I do have to admit that the book doesn't get much more graphic than nudity. At least it's a clean obsession. Also there these huge gaps in the action. You are reading and then you have to stop and go back. No you didn't miss anything. It turns out the story just skipped ahead.
In short I am sorry I wasted my time.
In short I am sorry I wasted my time.
March 19, 2008
Were it not Saint Patrick's Day I most likely would not have picked it up but as such it was a fun read for me, quite refreshing in its treatment towards men, Kings in particular, and women of the Dark Ages and a new view of the Serarch for the Holy Grail.
I did get a little bored on the meandering style of Mr. Greeley but enjoyed none the less.
I did get a little bored on the meandering style of Mr. Greeley but enjoyed none the less.
April 16, 2008
This was written by a catholic priest, but you definitely can't tell. The story line reminded me of The Mists of Avalon. The mix of fairy and christian life. It displayed powerful and majestic people as fallable and human. A very interesting take on the Holy Grail story.
July 24, 2010
This little book came up in a search for information about the Arthur/hero legend. I enjoy Greeley's other fiction, and this one is a little different because it's a re-telling of an Irish legend. Fun and easy for a hot summer afternoon!
March 9, 2011
This was an interesting enough book. I'm not familiar enough with Arthurian legend or similar ancient Celtic tales to draw a connection between this story and those, but it was enjoyable all the same.
February 5, 2016
The book gets more exciting as they go on the journey for the magic cup. Both of them got on my nerves sometimes , but I really loved the characters. Especially 'Biddy' because she was so smart and reminded me of Saint Bridget
June 19, 2007
sure it's smut, but it's great stuff:) i love this book. it is celtic pagan/ early christian romance novel nonsense, but less intense than the Outlander books--more fluffy:)
January 23, 2008
A charming tale based on Irish myth and legend. Gretchen recommended it years ago. I enjoyed this escape into legendary heroes and villains.
March 21, 2009
I had trouble getting into this book. Couldn't do it, as much as I like the legend, and as much as I like Greeley.
August 16, 2010
Enjoyed reading this re-telling of an Irish tale. I would recommend it to everyone.
October 18, 2010
If you enjoy ancient Irish folklore and history, this book will grab you. It has just enough unrequited love, adventure, magic, and suspense to make it a page turner.
July 22, 2014
Great re telling of an old Irish tale. A fun read.
Read
April 15, 2018Long ago. Comment is "awesome"
Loved most of Andrew Greeley's stories, and read many, many of them.
Loved most of Andrew Greeley's stories, and read many, many of them.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews