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Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn #2
Bard: The Odyssey of the Irish
This is the tale of the coming of the Irish to Ireland, and of the men and women who made that emerald isle their own.
465 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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2474 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Llywelyn
77 books996 followersMorgan Llywelyn (born 1937) is an American-born Irish author best known for her historical fantasy, historical fiction, and historical non-fiction. Her fiction has received several awards and has sold more than 40 million copies, and she herself is recipient of the 1999 Exceptional Celtic Woman of the Year Award from Celtic Women International.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
March 23, 2012
Ms. Llywelyn obviously loves the Irish (or at least her idea of the Irish). I have read several of her books and I mostly enjoy them. (As I've said before I don't particularly enjoy romance for romance's sake). It wouldn't do to criticize this work (or any of her works) for any historical inaccuracies as her "novels" are largely fantasy not historical fiction.
Ms. Llywelyn is an accomplished story teller and she can paint a picture of the mythical Ireland in which her characters move and breath that will place you in the story. She has reworked the myths and folklore of Ireland, the Celts and the Druids to fit her stories, but she is far from the first person to do so. I"d say, read it for what it is and enjoy.
The look here at the history of the "Irish people" does draw me in somewhat. I (like many others I'm sure) have always been fascinated by the stories of the Tuatha Dé Danann and all the speculation as to who they were and where they "vanished" to.
Also the Bard character in history and myth is a terribly interesting one. Showing up in the tales and histories of Scandinavians, Celts, Algles, Saxons and others they stride through the histories of the West as the history keepers, the story tellers and the traditions singers. The subject matter here is wonderful.
For me often a 3 star rating is a good one, as I've noted I give few five star ratings, and there aren't any half stars, so I had to compromise. The slightly heavy handed romance angle of the story weighed against it "for me". I don't mind romance and I know it's a big part of life AND of Irish myth. The Irish are a romantic people and "in that sense" I'm basically a romantic. Speaking of novels however I don't enjoy books that are "romances" meaning primarily "love stories". When a love story begins to dominate a novel in that it becomes a detailed telling of the trials and travails of the lovers and their soap opera style relationship, then it begins to lose. There is a bit of this here, not so much as to destroy the rest of the novel, just enough that it dominated a lot of the story. I'm sure some will enjoy it more than I as the writing is quite good. For some of you this will even make the book that much better...so if we had a half star system it would be 3.5. Try it yourself and see what you think.
I do recommend it.
Ms. Llywelyn is an accomplished story teller and she can paint a picture of the mythical Ireland in which her characters move and breath that will place you in the story. She has reworked the myths and folklore of Ireland, the Celts and the Druids to fit her stories, but she is far from the first person to do so. I"d say, read it for what it is and enjoy.
The look here at the history of the "Irish people" does draw me in somewhat. I (like many others I'm sure) have always been fascinated by the stories of the Tuatha Dé Danann and all the speculation as to who they were and where they "vanished" to.
Also the Bard character in history and myth is a terribly interesting one. Showing up in the tales and histories of Scandinavians, Celts, Algles, Saxons and others they stride through the histories of the West as the history keepers, the story tellers and the traditions singers. The subject matter here is wonderful.
For me often a 3 star rating is a good one, as I've noted I give few five star ratings, and there aren't any half stars, so I had to compromise. The slightly heavy handed romance angle of the story weighed against it "for me". I don't mind romance and I know it's a big part of life AND of Irish myth. The Irish are a romantic people and "in that sense" I'm basically a romantic. Speaking of novels however I don't enjoy books that are "romances" meaning primarily "love stories". When a love story begins to dominate a novel in that it becomes a detailed telling of the trials and travails of the lovers and their soap opera style relationship, then it begins to lose. There is a bit of this here, not so much as to destroy the rest of the novel, just enough that it dominated a lot of the story. I'm sure some will enjoy it more than I as the writing is quite good. For some of you this will even make the book that much better...so if we had a half star system it would be 3.5. Try it yourself and see what you think.
I do recommend it.
October 10, 2013
I found this book to be a bit of a slog if I didn't have time to read it in hour long chunks. Not one you can pick up and read in 10 minute intervals which is what I've been doing alot lately.
Having read her book, Lion of Ireland: The Legend of Brian Boru, I was excited to read more about Ireland's history. Until I read Bard I had no idea that there was a theory that the current occupants of Ireland descended from a tribe of Gauls that had migrated to the northern Iberian peninsula and then north to Ireland. I'm still unsure exactly what the Tuatha De Danann were.... descendants of an earlier immigration to Ireland or "little people/faeries" that you hear so much about in Irish stories. Whatever they were, they were an interesting people and added much to the storyline.
It looks like a hefty book but I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the beginnings of Ireland and the bardic life.
Having read her book, Lion of Ireland: The Legend of Brian Boru, I was excited to read more about Ireland's history. Until I read Bard I had no idea that there was a theory that the current occupants of Ireland descended from a tribe of Gauls that had migrated to the northern Iberian peninsula and then north to Ireland. I'm still unsure exactly what the Tuatha De Danann were.... descendants of an earlier immigration to Ireland or "little people/faeries" that you hear so much about in Irish stories. Whatever they were, they were an interesting people and added much to the storyline.
It looks like a hefty book but I recommend it to anyone who is interested in the beginnings of Ireland and the bardic life.
July 31, 2013
This is my 2nd reading of the book, and it is as good (perhaps better) than the first read through. So much detail, so many lovely places to stop and dwell on the author's style which is reminiscent of the seanchaidhe of the Irish in those periods when it was illegal to be formally educated. Her obvious passion for, and eloquent use of, language is refreshing in a day and age where so few care anymore about the words themselves and turn more and more to stilted text speak and such (ugh).
Some other reveiwers have called the plot slow, but to me it is fitting that it meanders in some places and doesn't just barrel through to an ending. It gives time to savor the characters and let the imagination soar back into a time of warriors and bards, druids and kings. To each his own, but for me this book is both an adventure and a place to relax. Loved it!
Some other reveiwers have called the plot slow, but to me it is fitting that it meanders in some places and doesn't just barrel through to an ending. It gives time to savor the characters and let the imagination soar back into a time of warriors and bards, druids and kings. To each his own, but for me this book is both an adventure and a place to relax. Loved it!
July 7, 2025
An absolutely amazing novel. I read this when I was younger and fell in love with Morgan's words that day.
Check out my full book review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3gxs...
Check out my full book review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3gxs...
September 8, 2020
magnifico libro para introducirse en la celtia. Es histórico, mitológico y muy bien novelado. Pluma ágil, te capta y no lo sueltas más!!! Muestra la dinámica de los druidas en tiempos arcaicos y relata la llegada de los gallegos a irlanda y su conflicto con los Tuatha de danaan
April 29, 2008
Morgan Llywelyn writes most often about Ireland. I love Ireland and reading about Irish history, especially ancient Ireland. It seems like the one country that really is out of a fairy tale.
I also love reading about the historical/mythical figures of Ireland's past - she makes them become very real.
Bard is the story of the 'founding' of Ireland - well of those who we consider 'Irish'. The Milesians come to the island and make contact with the Tuatha Da Danans...a mythical 'fairy' race. This tells the story of their settling the island and making it their own.
I also love reading about the historical/mythical figures of Ireland's past - she makes them become very real.
Bard is the story of the 'founding' of Ireland - well of those who we consider 'Irish'. The Milesians come to the island and make contact with the Tuatha Da Danans...a mythical 'fairy' race. This tells the story of their settling the island and making it their own.
July 1, 2009
Compelling, half-mythical story of the voyage of the Gaels to Ireland, circa 300 BCE.
Llywelyn is a master of the big canvas, and she effortlessly pot-boils up an array of interesting characters and powerful conflicts, centered on the large family of the "Sons of Mil."
The protagonist is Amergin, a semi-historical bard whose attributed poetry stands at the wellspring of European literature. A central theme is the contrasted loves of beauty and war, eros and thanatos, that stand at the core of the Irish soul.
Llywelyn also does the strongest job I've seen of imagining the daily life of the prehistoric Celts. Less convincing is her treatment of the Tuatha De Danaan, the mythical fairy folk, who in the story (and the myths) are displaced by the Gaels and retreat into the Otherworld. Imagining them into an otherwise realistic tale is a stretch, which detracts especially from the last 1/4 of the book.
Still, it's easy to forgive this talented and ambitious author for overreaching a bit when dealing with such epic and lofty material.
Llywelyn is a master of the big canvas, and she effortlessly pot-boils up an array of interesting characters and powerful conflicts, centered on the large family of the "Sons of Mil."
The protagonist is Amergin, a semi-historical bard whose attributed poetry stands at the wellspring of European literature. A central theme is the contrasted loves of beauty and war, eros and thanatos, that stand at the core of the Irish soul.
Llywelyn also does the strongest job I've seen of imagining the daily life of the prehistoric Celts. Less convincing is her treatment of the Tuatha De Danaan, the mythical fairy folk, who in the story (and the myths) are displaced by the Gaels and retreat into the Otherworld. Imagining them into an otherwise realistic tale is a stretch, which detracts especially from the last 1/4 of the book.
Still, it's easy to forgive this talented and ambitious author for overreaching a bit when dealing with such epic and lofty material.
February 12, 2011
I'm cleaning out my bookshelves and getting rid of some of the books I read years ago. I loved this book and Llywelyn for writing it. I hope if I have children they will read it and it will stir in them the longing to learn about a people from long ago that seemed to me so magical and amazing. It will be hard to part with this book but I know it will go to someone else where it will hopefully impact and impress.
August 28, 2007
this book tells the story of Amergin, a bard, and his brothers: the sons of Milesios. this is the tale of their migration from Iberia to the western isle (ireland), and how they vanquished the Tuatha de Danaan, to found the "irish" race. Llywelyn's books are marvelous, and i liked this one a lot.
March 11, 2008
I read this years ago.
I remember really enjoying it. Fiction or fact? Who knows. She claims to have assembled the story from many myths. I believe her. Also, this story is where I got my e-mail tag from! Bitchin.
I remember really enjoying it. Fiction or fact? Who knows. She claims to have assembled the story from many myths. I believe her. Also, this story is where I got my e-mail tag from! Bitchin.
November 1, 2014
3.5 stars! No question that the author can tell a great tale, and this one was conceptually very good. I was distracted by the seemingly disjointed, unbalanced, sub-story...too many unanswered questions, and a somewhat "abrupt", unsatisfying ending. All in all, an interesting meme to current cultural trends, with some wonderful symbology.
May 19, 2020
este es uno de mis libros de cabecera, lo he releido unas mil veces. Es una perfecta conversión de mitos a novela, ficcio-historia. Adoro la forma en que está escrito, el romance es justo, la evolución de los personajes es perfecta y la trama divertidisima. para amantes de los celtas, de la mitología, de Irlanda, para los que gusten fantasía épica, para todo el mundo. Hay que leerlo!!!
October 1, 2018
Fairly slow paced, but with engaging characters and some really lovely prose.
November 21, 2016
The mysteries of the people and cultures from ancient times reveal so much about those of us living in modern times--our capacity for good and ill, the impact of ego, the forces between pragmatism and art, and our struggles with tolerance and compromise. We experience a tour d' force on all of these themes as Morgan Llywelyn, a scholar of Celtic history, takes us into the lives of those Gaels who traveled from Gaul to Ireland (Ierne) in search of a lush land to resettle their tribes.
This is a story of a ruling clan--a family of warriors. The exception is Amergin, a druid and bard. A bard is a revered figure in these times as the keeper of the clan's history, its oral poet, who is deemed inspired by the spirits for insight and understanding of what is spiritually right--a tough job in the company of driven warriors. It's also a story of search, survival, and discovery. It demonstrates the power and failing of words, the dramatic pull of our intuitive selves, and the slow and torturous path of serious change--change that requires commitment to the future and its generations.
To say this book is a treasure trove of sights is an understatement. To say that it is humbling to realize the depth of wisdom that has its roots in the people of ages past is true. To say that this is a book, beautifully written and compelling, is worth reading is also an understatement.
This is a story of a ruling clan--a family of warriors. The exception is Amergin, a druid and bard. A bard is a revered figure in these times as the keeper of the clan's history, its oral poet, who is deemed inspired by the spirits for insight and understanding of what is spiritually right--a tough job in the company of driven warriors. It's also a story of search, survival, and discovery. It demonstrates the power and failing of words, the dramatic pull of our intuitive selves, and the slow and torturous path of serious change--change that requires commitment to the future and its generations.
To say this book is a treasure trove of sights is an understatement. To say that it is humbling to realize the depth of wisdom that has its roots in the people of ages past is true. To say that this is a book, beautifully written and compelling, is worth reading is also an understatement.
February 1, 2007
Got this one free at work at the book exchange. A weaving of the myths and legends of ancient Ireland and how the celtic people traveled from Normandy to Spain to Ireland and the early settling. Very easy and interesting read.
September 7, 2015
Fascinating tale. Listia will find it a new home. =)
September 17, 2017
I suspect I have some Irish blood, since I have always been fascinated by books about the Irish. Especially those that teach me something new. One such book was How the Irish Saved Civilization. From another book (whose title sadly escapes me) that was basically about fabric, I learned about the blonde, kilt clad mummies who were dug up in Western India. Similar to the Vikings who also covered a great deal of territory for their times, the Irish/Celts were wanderers. Given the extent of the author's bibliography, I know some of what she writes has to be based on facts. I had known about Celts in France, but didn't know, if it's true, that they also lived in Basque Country and northern Spain. As with Russian lit, one has to come to terms with and get used to the strange names and customs. But can it be fact or fiction that thanks to a Phoenician former slave, the ancient Irish learned to build boats and sailed to today's Ireland? (Not everyone made it) I've love to believe that's true. And I didn't mind at all the slide into fantasy once the intrepid sailors arrived to find that a very strange and spiritual tribe had arrived before them? A tribe that has the power (among others) to seem to die - but actually simply disappear? One blurb calls The Bard "marvelous and magical"That it is indeed.
November 1, 2020
Another worthy entry into Morgan Llywelyn's historical fiction collection. Very fine writing and believable Irish history. Evokes the Tuatha de Danann mightily!
In the 4th century BC a group of Celts living in the north-west of Iberia, the Galicians, are waning in prosperity. A group of Phoenician traders unexpectedly arrives, and gives hope to the tribe.
The story follows Amergin, druid and chief bard of the Galicians, and his brothers; Éremón, Colptha, Éber Finn, Donn, and Ír - all sons of Milesios. After years of declining prosperity, the Gaelicians hope that the Phoenician traders, led by Age-Nor, will help bring them back. Unfortunately, neither side has anything of much worth to trade. At a reception in the Heroes' Hall, Age-Nor is attacked by Ír, while Milesios is asleep and unaware. Amergin uses his bardic talent to entrance Ír, thus saving Age-Nor.
Later in the novel, Age-Nor rewards Amergin, despite the bard's vehement protests, by giving him a servant, a shipwright named Sakkar, and regaling him with a tale of a fabled land to the north, Ierne. After a series of mishaps and bad decisions, it is eventually decided that a group of the Gaelicians, led by the Sons of the Mil, will settle this land. The tribe builds a series of ships with the help of Sakkar, and set sail.
In the 4th century BC a group of Celts living in the north-west of Iberia, the Galicians, are waning in prosperity. A group of Phoenician traders unexpectedly arrives, and gives hope to the tribe.
The story follows Amergin, druid and chief bard of the Galicians, and his brothers; Éremón, Colptha, Éber Finn, Donn, and Ír - all sons of Milesios. After years of declining prosperity, the Gaelicians hope that the Phoenician traders, led by Age-Nor, will help bring them back. Unfortunately, neither side has anything of much worth to trade. At a reception in the Heroes' Hall, Age-Nor is attacked by Ír, while Milesios is asleep and unaware. Amergin uses his bardic talent to entrance Ír, thus saving Age-Nor.
Later in the novel, Age-Nor rewards Amergin, despite the bard's vehement protests, by giving him a servant, a shipwright named Sakkar, and regaling him with a tale of a fabled land to the north, Ierne. After a series of mishaps and bad decisions, it is eventually decided that a group of the Gaelicians, led by the Sons of the Mil, will settle this land. The tribe builds a series of ships with the help of Sakkar, and set sail.
September 22, 2017
My god has this book left me a mess. Like a total, ugly crying mess.
The writing was gorgeous, the characters felt real and were engaging and beautiful, and the plot was great. And the fact it's based on a real tale makes it even better!
Amergin, obviously, stole my heart. He was so emotional, so connected to the earth yet also disconnected, yet still human and perfect. I've gotta say that Odba and Scotta were far and away my favourite characters (.... *sigh*....). They were just so well developed and I loved their rough exterior (and breakable inside). These two women are probably some of the best written women I've read in such a long time, and that's a great feeling.
And where would I be without mentioning Taya? Taya was the perfect mistress, willing and yet quietly confident. She had a power to her that never really got revealed but was there and was perfect.
I want to comment on Shinann as well, but she's very mysterious and I may as well keep the mystery alive.
The plot was just so interesting. Even the times where not much was happening it felt like something important was happening, and I loved that.
Basically, I loved this book. Quite a lot, actually.
The writing was gorgeous, the characters felt real and were engaging and beautiful, and the plot was great. And the fact it's based on a real tale makes it even better!
Amergin, obviously, stole my heart. He was so emotional, so connected to the earth yet also disconnected, yet still human and perfect. I've gotta say that Odba and Scotta were far and away my favourite characters (.... *sigh*....). They were just so well developed and I loved their rough exterior (and breakable inside). These two women are probably some of the best written women I've read in such a long time, and that's a great feeling.
And where would I be without mentioning Taya? Taya was the perfect mistress, willing and yet quietly confident. She had a power to her that never really got revealed but was there and was perfect.
I want to comment on Shinann as well, but she's very mysterious and I may as well keep the mystery alive.
The plot was just so interesting. Even the times where not much was happening it felt like something important was happening, and I loved that.
Basically, I loved this book. Quite a lot, actually.
July 8, 2019
It was okay... I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did, particularly since the first paragraph and opening scene captured my heart and gave me chills and there were several times when the writing was very beautiful.
But... it dragged. It was a story that was told, more than shown. There didn't seem to be a focus on any one character. I think if the story had been told from Amergin's point of view, or moved between him and Shinann in Ireland, my attention would have been held. As it is, the author bounced around between characters (a choppy omniscient view) in such a way that I never got truly invested in any of the them, and I wanted to. I particularly wanted to be fully invested in Amergin the Bard. But he seemed to be as much victim of too much verbiage as all the other characters.
Sigh.
But... it dragged. It was a story that was told, more than shown. There didn't seem to be a focus on any one character. I think if the story had been told from Amergin's point of view, or moved between him and Shinann in Ireland, my attention would have been held. As it is, the author bounced around between characters (a choppy omniscient view) in such a way that I never got truly invested in any of the them, and I wanted to. I particularly wanted to be fully invested in Amergin the Bard. But he seemed to be as much victim of too much verbiage as all the other characters.
Sigh.
May 7, 2020
This is only the fourth of Morgan Llywelyn's now many novels about Ireland and the many stories of history and legend. This was not as satisfying as the others I have read. That may reflect the more limited amount of original source material regarding this story, as compared to the stories of Cuchulain and the Red Branch Knights of the historical episodes such as the 1916 Easter Rising. To fill over 460 pages, she fleshed out the cast of characters with personality clashes and a good bit of soap opera to generate additional narrative tension. It does provide an interesting general introduction to to the legend though I personally found a number of the characters annoyingly repetitive and less nuanced than they could have been.
January 20, 2017
Having some Irish blood, and as a fan of mythology and fantasy, I found this book to be quite captivating. Despite it's small type, I had trouble putting it down. The story of Amergin the bard, the Gaels, and their eventual trek to and settlement of Ierne made for very enjoyable reading. I recommend highly to those interested in the story of the Celts and Irelands' distant history. While it is a novel, and therefore only "based on" truth, the story brings you a picture of what life may have been like during its' time.
September 26, 2019
On the one hand, it's a deeply romantic and vibrant tale of passion and rivalry that captures the solitude of the intellectual and creative life.
But on the other hand, it falls prey to a thread simplistic Cold War pacifism with Atlantean nukes, the wisdom of whales, and psychic flower children, which hasn't aged well. Llywelyn claims she merely converts myths into plausible historical fiction rooted in archaeology, but she really lets her imagination run away with her in this one, and not in a good way.
But on the other hand, it falls prey to a thread simplistic Cold War pacifism with Atlantean nukes, the wisdom of whales, and psychic flower children, which hasn't aged well. Llywelyn claims she merely converts myths into plausible historical fiction rooted in archaeology, but she really lets her imagination run away with her in this one, and not in a good way.
December 31, 2020
Page 180 is when it became engrossing. Otherwise, it is a tale I could easily put down and forget about. I don’t typically finish anything that can only offer mere moments of interest. I’m glad I remain determined though. I came to enjoy those characters that were eventually developed (far too many were introduced that I wanted to get to know, but were seemingly “abandoned”). Although historical fantasy, I do feel like I learned a bit about the beginning of the Irish which is why I gave it three stars.
May 11, 2025
Bard: the odysséy of the Irish (the Celtic World of Morgan Llywelyn book 2 by Morgan Llywelyn (Audiobook read on Everand app)
This took me awhile to listen to. But it is a well written and at times has beautiful descriptions. This is the story of the people who would be known q’as the Irish came to live in Ireland. It gives a very interesting description of the culture especially the position of the bard. I really wanted to like or appreciate this book but honestly I had a hard time getting through it.
This took me awhile to listen to. But it is a well written and at times has beautiful descriptions. This is the story of the people who would be known q’as the Irish came to live in Ireland. It gives a very interesting description of the culture especially the position of the bard. I really wanted to like or appreciate this book but honestly I had a hard time getting through it.
October 20, 2021
I just finished re-reading this one. I'd read it a few years back and I loved it every bit as much the second time around. It seems Ms. Llywelyn was alive during the time of the Tuatha de Danann and the Milesian invasion of Eire. She writes as though she is one with the Bard Amergin. Every page is rich with history, wisdom, moral quandaries and the song of a poet. These characters feel so real, getting to the core of humanity's best and worst traits. One of my all-time favorite books.
August 4, 2025
Beautifully poetic, wonderfully magical, grimly tragic, and unexpectedly horny. Hot take, but Bard reads like A Song of Ice and Fire but good.
I picked up a few of Llywelyn's works at the used book store on St. Patrick's Day this year by chance and I'm very glad I happened to stumble upon this one. After I finish the other 3 I found, I might seek out some of the reference materials she used to guide the narrative.
I picked up a few of Llywelyn's works at the used book store on St. Patrick's Day this year by chance and I'm very glad I happened to stumble upon this one. After I finish the other 3 I found, I might seek out some of the reference materials she used to guide the narrative.
September 30, 2025
3.5 stars-Really enjoyed this. The author does a great job of transporting the reader to another place and time, and I appreciate her research and work in presenting the mythology of the Celts and their invasion of Ireland in such an engaging way. My main gripe with the work is how most all the women are written; the female characters have no real plots of their own, and their entire storylines revolve around the men they are connected with.
October 9, 2025
I wanted to like this book. I've loved other Morgan Llywelyn's historical fiction books covering more recent history and since I'm especially interested in pre-Celtic Ireland, I was excited to start this one. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. I like the kind of historical fiction that puts fictional characters in historical settings, not making up fiction about historical characters. It was compelling storytelling, I just wish she had kept it wholly in the realm of fiction.
December 22, 2022
3.5 stars, I think. I read this directly after finishing Song of Ireland, and this one was definitely richer, fuller, more thought out and felt more researched. However, its characters, while better written, were overall less likable, and I got so annoyed with the love-hate relationship between all the brothers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews