The Last Rainbow

Firelord #3

by Parke Godwin

Journeying to a pagan world of old magic in order to spread his religious beliefs, Padree, a passionate young priest, encounters the extraordinary Dorelei, the leader of the mystical Faerie folk, who teaches him about the earth and spirituality. Reprint.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Arthurian, Historical, Historical Fantasy, Novels

358 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Parke Godwin was an American writer known for his lyrical yet precise prose style and sardonic humor. He was also known for his novels of legendary figures placed in realistic historical settings; his retelling of the Arthur legend (Firelord in 1980, Beloved Exile in 1984, and The Last Rainbow in 1985) is set in the 5th century during the collapse of the Roman empire, and his reinterpretation of Robin Hood (Sherwood, 1991, and Robin and the King, 1993) takes place during the Norman conquest and features kings William the Conqueror and William Rufus as major characters. His other well-known works include Waiting For The Galactic Bus (1988) and its sequel The Snake Oil Wars (1989), humorous critiques of American pop culture and religion.

Parke Godwin also worked as a radio operator, a research technician, a professional actor, an advertising man, a dishwasher and a maitre d' hotel.

Godwin's short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may not seem like it based on the length of time it took me to read this novel, but it really was amazingly original, imaginative, exciting, and worthwhile. I wouldn’t classify it as “gripping” or “a real page-turner,” but the author’s plodding style was ultimately necessary to adequately create the characters and their world. Very similar to “Dances with Wolves” but set in bronze-age Britain, there was war, tribal tension, indigenous culture, and even a love story or two. I highly recommend this journey, albeit likely a long one.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of St. Patrick doesn't necessarily sound like the sort of thing that would appeal to the general fantasy reader (I won't say typical, since there is no such animal), and this book can be read as a more-or-less "straight" historical novel. The fantastic elements are subtle, but they are there if you know how to look. However you read it, read it. Parke Godwin's gift is to cut through the surface and go straight for the humanity at the core of each of us, as the saying goes, "warts and all."

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is a fictional story of St. Patrick, I hesitated to put it in the historical fiction genre. The novel is one of Patrick's early life in the priesthood and has him being sent by his bishop to preach to the people in Northern England (then a land of rival tribes such as the Picts and the Coritani). While there, he is left for dead by one local leader, but is found by the faeries and nursed back to health. Patrick sees this as an opportunity to spread the gospel amoung the 'fhain' (how the faeries refer to themselves). Veering from traditional ways of preaching, Patrick uses similarities of their own legends to teach about Christianity. How this changes things for some of the fhain creates a situation that bodes ill for their kind. This may sound a bit far-fetched, but I did become quite interested in how everything would work out for all the characters.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by Parke Godwine. I can't believe he isn't more widely known around the world because his writing is top tier of that there's no doubt. In this book as prequel to Firelord we meet young Padrec a priest on a journey to convert all of Ireland to Christianity but in order to do that he first has to prove he can convert the Venicones a tribe unto themselves. Long story short, that doesn't go well and he meets Dorelei and her Salmon fhain of Faerie people and through them he relearns what it is to believe and worship God. There is much more to this perfectly written novel but suffice to say you all will enjoy this. I would definitely recommend you read this first before reading Firelord & The Beloved Exile.

[Debby Zigenis-Lowery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book appealed to me because Celtic Britain and St. Patrick are both topics of interest to me. However, I found the historical style Godwin adopted, especially when writing in the point-of-view of the Prydyn, unnecessarily obscure and therefore rather off-putting. However, that said, I remained interested enough to finish the book, something I no longer feel obligated to do when I'm not enjoying a story.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely fantasy is the story of St. Patrick, and how he came to be the man that he was. It is also the story of the Prydin, the people known as "faerie," and their culture (fantasy, remember?), and how they shaped the future of Ireland. Full of action, love, loss, and adventure, this is a believable tale of "it really could have happened that way."

[Nancy Turnbough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book long ago but it’s one of those books that became part of my tapestry. A word or a phrase I hear, or even think, will pull a string and I can visualize the scene it came from.

That said, I just saw that this is considered #3 in Firelord, so I’m off to read two more books.

[James]

Journeying to a pagan world of old magic in order to spread his religious beliefs, Padree, a passionate young priest, encounters the extraordinary Dorelei, the leader of the mystical Faerie folk, who teaches him about the earth and spirituality. Reprint.

[Debbie Cowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on St. Patrick.

[Evelina A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third in the Firelord Series, Parke Godwin skillfully blends history and fantasy in this story of St. Patrick, as he braves the pagan tribes of Britain in his zeal to convert them. Broken and left for dead, he is saved by Dorelei, leader of the Reindeer tribe of the Prydn people. As new religion collides with old and an old way of life struggles to survive, Patrick's time with the Prydn's becomes a life-changing experience.

Godwin's ability to extract what little is known about these early tribes of Britain and their way of life, and make it completely believeable, is amazing. His characters are unforgettable and fairly leap off the page.

[Jaimie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Saint Patrick- before the Saint title. It is not at all what I expected, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!! In fact, I think it's a solid 4.5 rating. It is a book about struggles, outer and inner. Lots of questioning of strongly held beliefs and ways of life, soul-searching, exploring. It was a well woven story, and my only wish is that it gave more background for those of us that aren't as familiar with the history (even if it were included in the afterward).

[Lam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating imagining of the world of north Britain in the 400 ADs and of the youthful Padrec before he became ossified by the Catholic Church as a saint. I particularly liked the author's portrait of the Prydn, the small, dark, nomadic peoples whom outsiders call Faerie, who teach Padrec some much needed lessons about the value of community and the importance of following female leadership.

[Myssi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still like Firelord better, but since my favorite parts of that book are the times Arthur is with the Prydn, it is very nice to have a book primarily set with the Prydn. While parts of the book are definitely implausible, even in the story's context, and parts of the book, especially the religious trains of thought, drag on too long and become tedious, I found it a good and enjoyable read.

[Jason ON · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a looong time ago, when I was still in high school, I believe. Like all good stories, this one stuck with me over the years and I can't help but think about Padree and the Faerie on St. Patrick's Day.

If you have a chance to read this, or any of Parke's books, take that chance. You won't be disappointed.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only tangentially connected to Firelord and Beloved Exile, in that it gives us a more detailed picture of the Folk, who gave us Arthru's wife Morgana and his son Modred. But other than that, it's a different story altogether, a little denser, a little more obscure. But lovely.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting. Finished it but had to push myself. Just could not get into it, slow to read.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting fun read. I am not sure how historically researched this book is, yet is causing me to seek more information about St Patrick and time this story takes place...