Song Castle

by Luke Waterson

Song Castle vividly brings to life the Wales of the 12th century: its extreme wealth, its abject poverty, its senseless violence, the growing tension between the Normans and the native Welsh and the region's increasingly pivotal place in medieval culture. In doing so, this book touches on a time and place rarely tackled in literature, a time when Welsh national identity was in the first stages of its development. But Song Castle also tells, through the colourful voices of its characters, a true story. It tells of one man's desire, in a land rocked by upheaval, for the territory over which he presided to be remembered for something truly remarkable.

Genres: Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2018

Reviews

[Paula Bardell-Hedley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Wales announcing its rise from the Dark Ages onto the world stage of poetry, and music, and song.”

I chose to read this novel specifically because of its subject matter: Wales first ever eisteddfod (a great festival of poetry and music for which our small country is justifiably celebrated), but I’m glad for so many other reasons that I did.

Song Castle is an exuberant caper through 12th-century Wales in the company of poets and musicians from all corners of the known world as they gather to compete for a permanent place at a Welsh Prince’s table. They are heading for Cardigan Castle, which overlooks the River Teifiat in Ceredigion, at the invitation of one Rhys ap Gruffydd, ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth in South Wales. He hopes to distance himself from his hitherto savage reputation and put himself and his nation at the heart of medieval culture. It is crucial, therefore, that his festival is a success.

The Lord Rhys (as he is more commonly known) has issued a proclamation giving twelve months notice of a ‘Grand festival’ of vocal and instrumental song honouring the poetry of The Bards, due to take place over Christmas 1176. But to reach their destination the competitors must first travel through a wild, rain-sodden land during a period of great barbarity, when Wales is split into several warring factions. The weather is bitterly cold and the route perilous, but the promise of good food, wine and song keep them coming.

We are introduced to charismatic, historically factual characters like Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr, the foremost bard of his day; Gwalchmai ap Meilyr, one of the earliest Welsh court poets at the court of Owain Gwynedd at Aberffraw, Anglesey; and Marie de France, one of the 12th-century’s most gifted writers who lived in Wales for a time (she was exceptional in that she excelled in a man’s world). The performers become embroiled in feuds, brawls and considerable skulduggery, though not always intentionally, and there is bloodshed on the battlements before the competition reaches its bravura climax.

To this day, the eisteddfod is Europe’s greatest competitive festival of song and poetry.

Luke Waterson is a travel writer, and this his second novel – his first, Roebuck: Tales of an Admirable Adventurer, was set in 16th-century South America. He has deftly used all available facts concerning Celtic bardic traditions and constructed a compelling, richly lyrical novel about an historic event.

I would thoroughly recommend this beguiling new title to anyone with a passion for Welsh culture; those who would like to more fully understand the ritualistic traditions of Wales; or readers who simply enjoy a cracking tale of medieval mischief and music.

“It is not that I object to sleeping alongside bards, certainly not men of Gwynedd. But books are one's friends and so much more interesting than most people one meets.” – Gerald of Wales to Gwalchmai ap Meilyr (according to Luke Waterson)

Many thanks to Urbane Publications for providing an advance review copy of this title.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really enjoyed this book, being a massive fan of historical fiction it was right up my street and it is one I will definitely be recommending to fans of this genre!

The words flowed really well in the story and I loved the characters. It is a very well planned out piece of work and it really takes you back to the period. I do love books like this and this one was a joy to read -four stars from me, a very enjoyable read and highly recommended!!

[Pop Bop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's Get the Whole Gang Together

This book is well written, raucous, and remarkably accessible. By that I mean its good humored energy and sneaky historical accuracy invite the reader into a world that is often otherwise rendered in dry or academic tones. I love "The Mabinogion", but versions run from overly simple to densely scholarly, and it's hard to recommend a translation that's casual-reader friendly. Same for something like, say, Taliesin's legendary origin tale, which has been butchered by lots of writers who should have known better.

This book, though, follows a different tack. We don't retell the old tales as such. We tell the stories of the people who told the old tales. Twelfth century Wales is richly, invitingly, and colorfully brought to life. We meet the bards, the poets, the Lords, the rural Welsh, the imperious Normans, the wenches, the soldiers, the musicians, the dreamers, and the schemers. Rich tapestry and all that sort of thing.

Apart from grounding us in the day to day reality, (wet, dreary, cold), of 1176 Wales we join in the excitement and intrigue of the first Eisteddfod. Think of this as the medieval Welsh version of the movie "State Fair", with just as many pigs, but Cynddelw Bryddyd Mawr, bard and the Great One, instead of Pat Boone. We join, among many others, a harpist and a young singer, a dandy poet, a mysterious Persian, a restless lady from Brittany, a displaced pencerrd, an Irishman bearing a grudge, Chretien de Troyes, and even Gerald of Wales himself. And all roads lead to the ultimate mic drop at Cardigan Castle. The book is in three parts - we meet the main character contestants, we travel to the festival, and then we witness the actual competition and the behind the scenes intrigue as the field is narrowed from day to day. Each section has its own pleasures, but the final third is suspenseful and in parts thrilling. It's all big, and fast paced, and rollicking.

I joke, of course, but that's because this is a big-hearted sort of book that will excite, amuse, and entertain, and will open the reader to a fascinating and proud chapter of Welsh history and artistic excellence. Land of Song, indeed.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like discovering new authors and strive to read new genres, historical fiction being one such genre. Therefore, I was very intrigued when I read the blurb for Song Castle, with its blend of 12th century Welsh history and the beginnings of the Welsh arts festival, that today we know as the Eisteddford.

Song Castle is a beautiful blend of  adventure story, comedy, historical fiction and poetry. Each character travel through the troublesome Welsh landscape and different settlements, so as to perform at the Eisteddford.

Set in Cardigan, Wales, the main protagonist, Lord Rhys is the owner of the newly built Cardigan Castle and wants to mark its creation, and his Kingdom, with a celebration of all that is art and music. What results is an entertaining read with  endearing characters that were certainly quite different. For  example we meet Avery who is a young man travelling from York who has a talent for singing and who is trying to find his true vocation. The journey features fellow travellers from across the country and  from various backgrounds, resulting in a story that is full of fun, singing and a general sense of 12th century debauchery.

Based on historical facts, the author has created a likeable and enjoyable read.  As a travel writer, he has obviously conducted vast amounts of research into this specific period in time, as we read a narrative that is powerful in its meticulous attention to detail,  bringing in real and influential people of that time, that is an absolute joy to read.

The prose in Song Castle flows beautifully with a backdrop of evocative imagery, I actually believed that I was in 12th century Wales, that I had been transported back in time and was part of this chaotic and musical world.

With thanks to Urbane Publications and NetGalley for the digital review copy.

[Melisende · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am really in two minds with this one. I loved the premise of the story - the first eisteddfyd in Wales - festival of literature, music and performance - held by Rhys ap Gruffydd, Lord of Deheubarth (c.1170s). Its was the telling of the tale that left me flat.

Like a true Welsh tale, the story meandered back and forth in time, as we are slowly introduced to the characters embarking on the journey, as the historical scene is set, sometimes, at a painfully slow rate until we realise that we are only halfway through the book. It is only when the characters reach Cardigan, the seat of Lord Rhys' power, that the unseen political manouvering takes place during the contests.

This is an imagined version of events which is laid out in the "Brut Y Tywysogion" or The Chronicle of Princes.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I would have enjoyed this book if I had read it in print, but there were just too many characters with unfamiliar names and indistinct relationships.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Song Castle by Luke Waterson is a historical fiction novel centring on the 1176 CE events in Wales during which Prince Rhys of Deheubarth arranged a most magnificent contest of song and music to establish Wales as a place of culture, and not just of war. People came to this, the very first Eisteddfod, from as far afield as the Middle East. Many of the big names of the time attended, as did many who wished to gain fame. But, as the story notes, put a bunch of performers of any type together and trouble must surely come calling.

I adored this story! Wales is home to some of my ancestors, and as such, has quite captivated me. We follow multiple viewpoints from Avery and Dog, to Marie and Bernart, and of course Rhys himself, weaving a rich and varied tapestry, with a colourful cast of characters. Avery was my favourite of them all. I still want to know how he ended up in his initial predicament in which we meet him. There must be an interesting story that left him tied to a tree. Just sayin’... Dog quickly became a fave as well. He's quite the opposite of Avery, yet the two forge a friendship of sorts. He plays the harp with a skill you wouldn't guess from his brawler’s appearance. Chretien was also rather adorable.

Bernart was my least favourite. That dude was just skeezy. And there are better ways to overcome writer's block. Again, just sayin’... I didn't care much for Hamid either, and didn't fully grasp his story. I felt I perhaps missed some information somewhere. Most of the others were likable. It was neat to see Rhys and Gerald brought to life. I've read of them, of course, and I've read Gerald’s travelogue, which was fascinating and enjoyable.

The story is written in lyrical prose reminiscent of the Celtic writings I've read- the Tain, the Mabinogion, and the like. The author also incorporates various of the traditional Welsh song/poetry styles, though the words are in English. I enjoyed the different perspectives, and never found it hard to adjust, even when changes occurred within a chapter. I would have liked seeing a greater resolution to some of the story threads, like the events in the prologue, which seemed out of place, and of the immediate aftermath of the closing events, so far as Rhys was concerned. I loved how Dog's story wrapped up. It was unexpectedly sweet. Avery's, not so much, and his ending made me cry. Rhys did get his wish though. This first Eisteddfod is still remembered today, and the tradition still continues.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Urbane Publications for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.