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Savage Her Reply
A dark, feminist retelling of The Children of Lir by the author of the multi-award-winning Tangleweed and Brine.
‘No-one else writes like Deirdre Sullivan. She is lyrical, poetic and thoroughly intoxicating.’ Juno Dawson, author of Wonderland
‘Unsettling, haunting, and darkly lyrical, Savage Her Reply is a beautiful thing.’ Louise O’Neill, author of After The Silence
A retelling of the favourite Irish fairytale The Children of Lir. Aífe marries Lir, a chieftain with four children by his previous wife. Jealous of his affection for his children, the witch Aífe turns them into swans for 900 years.
Retold through the voice of Aífe, Savage Her Reply is unsettling and dark, feminist and fierce, yet nuanced in its exploration of the guilt of a complex character.
A dark & witchy feminist retelling from the author of Tangleweed and Brine
‘No-one else writes like Deirdre Sullivan. She is lyrical, poetic and thoroughly intoxicating.’ Juno Dawson, author of Wonderland
‘Unsettling, haunting, and darkly lyrical, Savage Her Reply is a beautiful thing.’ Louise O’Neill, author of After The Silence
A retelling of the favourite Irish fairytale The Children of Lir. Aífe marries Lir, a chieftain with four children by his previous wife. Jealous of his affection for his children, the witch Aífe turns them into swans for 900 years.
Retold through the voice of Aífe, Savage Her Reply is unsettling and dark, feminist and fierce, yet nuanced in its exploration of the guilt of a complex character.
A dark & witchy feminist retelling from the author of Tangleweed and Brine
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 28, 2022
This was a lovely retelling of the Irish legend known as "The Children of Lir," which has some thematic and plot similarities to the Six Swans fairy tale as well as the Swan Lake ballet, something you're likely to notice even if you aren't familiar with the Irish myth, because this book sticks pretty close to it.
It's not a long book, and provides a couple of hours of enjoyment for the prose and the storytelling, which to me are its selling points. Sullivan's writing is evocative and lovely, delivering the story in short chapters told in first person; easy to get immersed in and very atmospheric. But it's the sort of atmospheric that might be too dark and too painful for some, as the author doesn't pull any punches at times. The protagonist, Aife, is on glance your average evil stepmother that gets rid of her stepchildren by turning them into swans doomed to live in such bodies for centuries, but as the story goes by, you see she's not that typical. For one, she's very self-aware, and whilst she's portrayed as more complex and layered than the legend casts her as, she isn't made to be a woe-is-me poor misunderstood little woman who blames the victim for her own foibles, as seems to be the trend in retellings that tackle "villainous" women from mythology, in spite of having a tragic past herself. Aife was bad, she made a huge mistake because she was bad and flawed, and she doesn't need to make the other side look bad to excuse herself. She knows what she is and what she has done. That was really refreshing to me.
This book just proves that you don't need to turn a villainous or anti-heroic female character into a woobie and patronisingly strip women of agency and accountability for their own bad deeds to write an interesting "other side of the coin" version. Other retellings should take note from Sullivan here, she's pulled it off.
Oh, and the illustrations by Karen Vaughn were so pretty! First retelling I encounter that is illustrated with lovely artwork.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's not a long book, and provides a couple of hours of enjoyment for the prose and the storytelling, which to me are its selling points. Sullivan's writing is evocative and lovely, delivering the story in short chapters told in first person; easy to get immersed in and very atmospheric. But it's the sort of atmospheric that might be too dark and too painful for some, as the author doesn't pull any punches at times. The protagonist, Aife, is on glance your average evil stepmother that gets rid of her stepchildren by turning them into swans doomed to live in such bodies for centuries, but as the story goes by, you see she's not that typical. For one, she's very self-aware, and whilst she's portrayed as more complex and layered than the legend casts her as, she isn't made to be a woe-is-me poor misunderstood little woman who blames the victim for her own foibles, as seems to be the trend in retellings that tackle "villainous" women from mythology, in spite of having a tragic past herself. Aife was bad, she made a huge mistake because she was bad and flawed, and she doesn't need to make the other side look bad to excuse herself. She knows what she is and what she has done. That was really refreshing to me.
This book just proves that you don't need to turn a villainous or anti-heroic female character into a woobie and patronisingly strip women of agency and accountability for their own bad deeds to write an interesting "other side of the coin" version. Other retellings should take note from Sullivan here, she's pulled it off.
Oh, and the illustrations by Karen Vaughn were so pretty! First retelling I encounter that is illustrated with lovely artwork.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2020
Astonishingly beautiful and moving. Gorgeously written. Showing tender and fierce regard for all aspects of human experience, for history and what history does to us, for religions and what religions do for and to us. Deirdre Sullivan grows stronger with every book. She is one of the few writers whose work I will take up, knowing nothing about it but the name of the author.
September 15, 2020
An incredible, moving work of art. I adore this book, everything about it. It's a stunning retelling, it's elaborate and detailed, dark and brutal. Deirdre is an amazing writer and everyone should read this. Aife's voice is raw and powerful, and comes alive with Deirdre's rich and beautiful prose. It's enthralling. I love it. 5 stars are not enough.
October 8, 2020
A retelling of the famous Irish legend, The Children of Lir, in which an evil stepmother turns four children into swans to get revenge on their father. Aífe, the central character in Sullivan's version, is much more complex than simply an 'evil stepmother', and suffers torment because of her crimes. Sullivan has experimented before with reworking fairytales in her wonderful collection, Tangleweed and Brine. Each short piece in that collection reads like a prose-poem: exquisitely wrought and carefully detailed, no word feels out of place. In Savage Her Reply, Sullivan tries to sustain that approach over a novel-length story, with mixed results.
Savage Her Reply is a beautiful book, illustrated by the talented Karen Vaughan. Sullivan creates concrete poems, modelled after the Irish Ogham alphabet, interspersing them through the text. Each poem adds to the story, but also stands on its own, as a tiny exploration of a moment or emotion. Sullivan is committed to capturing Aífe's perspective, and, while not forgiving her for the crime of turning four children into swans, and cursing them to the wild seas for 900 years, she also demonstrates that Aífe's actions can't be separated from her upbringing, and the ways in which the patriarchal society mistreats women, making them chattel and denying them agency. The weakness of this piece, for me, was that Sullivan stuck too closely to the original narrative of the Children of Lir, never allowing herself to waver far from the legend. This gives her a lot of space to explore Aífe's motivations, the narrative has a feeling of stasis and claustrophobia, and lacks plot or drive. I wanted Sullivan to let go a little, and bring some new elements into the story, allowing a sense of change or movement. As well as that, I didn't think the lyrical style of writing held up as well over a long narrative as it did in Sullivan's shorter pieces. That being said, this is a moving and complex piece of work, and I can't imagine how much it would have meant to me if it had been around when I was a child. It's wonderful to see a feminist (and queer) look at Irish legends, and Sullivan creates much-needed space for her readers. She is a writer I will always read, and I'm very glad this book exists.
Savage Her Reply is a beautiful book, illustrated by the talented Karen Vaughan. Sullivan creates concrete poems, modelled after the Irish Ogham alphabet, interspersing them through the text. Each poem adds to the story, but also stands on its own, as a tiny exploration of a moment or emotion. Sullivan is committed to capturing Aífe's perspective, and, while not forgiving her for the crime of turning four children into swans, and cursing them to the wild seas for 900 years, she also demonstrates that Aífe's actions can't be separated from her upbringing, and the ways in which the patriarchal society mistreats women, making them chattel and denying them agency. The weakness of this piece, for me, was that Sullivan stuck too closely to the original narrative of the Children of Lir, never allowing herself to waver far from the legend. This gives her a lot of space to explore Aífe's motivations, the narrative has a feeling of stasis and claustrophobia, and lacks plot or drive. I wanted Sullivan to let go a little, and bring some new elements into the story, allowing a sense of change or movement. As well as that, I didn't think the lyrical style of writing held up as well over a long narrative as it did in Sullivan's shorter pieces. That being said, this is a moving and complex piece of work, and I can't imagine how much it would have meant to me if it had been around when I was a child. It's wonderful to see a feminist (and queer) look at Irish legends, and Sullivan creates much-needed space for her readers. She is a writer I will always read, and I'm very glad this book exists.
January 10, 2022
Like many children of a certain age in Ireland, I grew up on the myths and legends. The Children of Lir is arguably our most famous one, known worldwide. The four young children, just transformed into swans or in the midst of it, are usually the instantly recognisable cover image on Irish mythology collections. As is Aoife, the wicked stepmother who curses them—and through whose voice we hear this story retold in Savage Her Reply, as Aífe.
I was lucky enough to read this early, and the finished copy is a stunning work of art, in words, design, and illustration.
One of the things that most struck me while reading this is a remark Aífe makes—that over time, everyone in the legend has become known primarily through their association with Lir: the swans as his children, and she as his new wife, after the death of her sister. It stuck with me as I read it because it had never occurred to me—but, as with so many similar things, it was blatantly obvious when I thought about it.
I think this is really going to change how we view Irish mythology retellings, particularly in how palatable they must be made for readers outside Ireland.
In the photo, you can just see the twig I carefully balanced the book upon (which miraculously held as I tried to find a good photo angle), and I think it mirrors one of the book’s themes pretty well: endurance. Both Aífe and the swans endure in this story, for better or worse through hundreds of years, in the trap she spun and that has caught them all.
I was lucky enough to read this early, and the finished copy is a stunning work of art, in words, design, and illustration.
One of the things that most struck me while reading this is a remark Aífe makes—that over time, everyone in the legend has become known primarily through their association with Lir: the swans as his children, and she as his new wife, after the death of her sister. It stuck with me as I read it because it had never occurred to me—but, as with so many similar things, it was blatantly obvious when I thought about it.
I think this is really going to change how we view Irish mythology retellings, particularly in how palatable they must be made for readers outside Ireland.
In the photo, you can just see the twig I carefully balanced the book upon (which miraculously held as I tried to find a good photo angle), and I think it mirrors one of the book’s themes pretty well: endurance. Both Aífe and the swans endure in this story, for better or worse through hundreds of years, in the trap she spun and that has caught them all.
June 29, 2021
4.5 stars. This book is lovely - each chapter begins with a poem that is visually presented as an Ogham pattern and accompanies a section of the written myth of the Children of Lir, framing each section of the story told by Aife. I learned a lot about the original myth, and it was expanded and deepened by the reinterpretation through Aife's perspective. I liked that nothing was black or white here - Aife doesn't get wholly rehabilitated. This version is for anyone who likes feminist fairy tale or retellings of Irish legends.
January 8, 2022
3.5 stars. I cannot believe this is the same author who wrote Needlework, which was one of my least favourite reads of 2021!!
Savage Her Reply takes us back to a mythical Ireland, where magic pulsed in the earth, and kings lived long and powerful lives before passing to the Otherworld.
Aífe has been forever scorned as a jealous and vengeful entity in the Children of Lir canon, but Sullivan gives her a much needed voice of her own. The writing reminded me of the works of Madeline Miller, retelling mythological stories from a marginalised female character and giving a new perspective (and better representation for both woman and queer people).
Sullivan shakes the cobwebs out of the Irish myths, giving them a new light for younger generations of readers. Having grown up beside Lough Derravaragh and hearing the legend time and time again, this was a breath of fresh air, and I especially appreciated the knitting of various other legends into the narrative. Aífe as an anti-hero is also incredibly likeable, despite the events of the story.
The plot did stiffen in parts, and I wish we saw more development of Aífe's character before the main events of the legend took place. I felt at times her character was melodramatic and also incredibly repetitive. While I loved acknowledging her darker side, this could have definitely been developed further, and the story hesitantly followed the myth in parts where Sullivan could have easily taken the story and made it her own. Nevertheless I recommend to ANYONE interested in retellings of Irish mythology, or fans of Madeline Miller.
Savage Her Reply takes us back to a mythical Ireland, where magic pulsed in the earth, and kings lived long and powerful lives before passing to the Otherworld.
Aífe has been forever scorned as a jealous and vengeful entity in the Children of Lir canon, but Sullivan gives her a much needed voice of her own. The writing reminded me of the works of Madeline Miller, retelling mythological stories from a marginalised female character and giving a new perspective (and better representation for both woman and queer people).
Sullivan shakes the cobwebs out of the Irish myths, giving them a new light for younger generations of readers. Having grown up beside Lough Derravaragh and hearing the legend time and time again, this was a breath of fresh air, and I especially appreciated the knitting of various other legends into the narrative. Aífe as an anti-hero is also incredibly likeable, despite the events of the story.
The plot did stiffen in parts, and I wish we saw more development of Aífe's character before the main events of the legend took place. I felt at times her character was melodramatic and also incredibly repetitive. While I loved acknowledging her darker side, this could have definitely been developed further, and the story hesitantly followed the myth in parts where Sullivan could have easily taken the story and made it her own. Nevertheless I recommend to ANYONE interested in retellings of Irish mythology, or fans of Madeline Miller.
September 28, 2020
One of the most intriguing, unique fantasies and beautifully written fantasies I've read in a long time.
Deirdre Sullivan's writing is poetic and brutal, intoxicating and dark. This book felt like it should have been written back in the days when the classic fairytales we know and love were first born (in such a magnificent way). Like, I genuinely feel as though in fifty years time, Disney is going to be animating this as a 'reimagining of Deirdre Sullivan's classic tale' with sweet swan songs and iconic villainous moments in the way it's done with the likes of J.M. Barrie, Christian Andersen etc.
Exploring topics from religion to history to the intricacies of human nature and nurture, this book is unlike any fantasy I've read before and one I have no doubt has the power, if given the chance, to become an eternal classic.
Deirdre Sullivan's writing is poetic and brutal, intoxicating and dark. This book felt like it should have been written back in the days when the classic fairytales we know and love were first born (in such a magnificent way). Like, I genuinely feel as though in fifty years time, Disney is going to be animating this as a 'reimagining of Deirdre Sullivan's classic tale' with sweet swan songs and iconic villainous moments in the way it's done with the likes of J.M. Barrie, Christian Andersen etc.
Exploring topics from religion to history to the intricacies of human nature and nurture, this book is unlike any fantasy I've read before and one I have no doubt has the power, if given the chance, to become an eternal classic.
December 15, 2020
This book took me by surprise in the best possible way. I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first, but then I found myself falling in love with the author's use of language. The writing is outstanding - lyrical and poetic, each word feels necessary and wields a subtle power. I found myself getting emotional a few times and had to slow down, so I wouldn't finish reading it too quickly. One of the most beautiful myth re-tellings I've ever read.
November 22, 2022
I was only slightly familiar with the legend of The Children of Lir before reading this retelling. It is beautifully written, with poetic prose that lends well to a story shared aloud.
Aoife certainly challenges the reader as an unlikeable character, but Sullivan achieves her goal of staying true to the story's origin while developing empathy and understanding for her protagonist.
Aoife certainly challenges the reader as an unlikeable character, but Sullivan achieves her goal of staying true to the story's origin while developing empathy and understanding for her protagonist.
March 7, 2021
Rating: 4/5
I have a hard time writing a coherent review for this book. It's not because I didn't like it nor because I liked it too much. Instead it seems the scattered narration of the main character is infectious.
The basic premise of Savage Her Reply is a re-telling of an Irish fairytale from the perspective of the witch in the tale. That in and of itself is not a particularly new concept. In fact, I'm sure there have been hundreds of books with the same premise.
What sets Sullivan apart it seems is her intense interest in the topic. Not just in the original fairytale, but also the witch, Aife. Savage Her Reply is not just a story about 'really happened', a behind-the-scenes look at the original tale, instead it is an examination of human character. Of what it takes to commit such an evil act as Aife did.
In the original fairytale, The Children of Lir, Aife is the wife of a mighty king and the step-mother/aunt of his children. One day, jealous of the affection her husband bestows upon his children, she lashes out at them and curses them to spend 900 years as swans. She is then promptly punished and turned into a demon of the air, and vanishes from the fairytale.
That is a fairly standard pattern for fairytales, where step-mothers are present. But Sullivan latches onto an aspect that is often overlooked. How could Aife become so jealous or evil that she would raise her hands on her sisters children? What happened to her to push her so far? And perhaps more importantly, does anything excuse such an action?
Savage Her Reply is told through Aife's own words, through her own lens, and because of that we get an uninterrupted look into her mind. A mind which is scattered to say the least after an age of being 'a demon of the air'. And so, Aife tells us the story, mostly chronologically, of her life. From the moment that the future High king took her and her sisters from their home as fosterlings, to the moment she curses her niece and nephews, and beyond to the end of the original fairytale at the end of the lives of the Children of Lir.
As we follow along, it doesn't take long to realize that Aife's life has not been one of particular comfort. However, it has not been one of particular distress either, and yet it seems her childhood and young-adulthood have their damage.
That is where I struggle most with my thoughts on this book, and I think that's partially by Sullivan's design. There is no denying that the early trauma of Aife's childhood has affected her, no denying that being ripped away from her parents and losing her guardians at a young age was damaging. However, Aife herself says that she was never satisfied, never felt like she had enough, never felt that she was enough. And that is the problem. A girl who was told she wasn't enough, became a woman who was chosen second and still wasn't enough. A girl who was ripped from her parents became a woman who is ripped from her sister, the only part of home she has left. And then, when she is told her sacrifices are still not enough, she shatters and takes out the pain on the only people she can reach, her sister's children. The curse is the action of a girl trying desperately to exert control over the one thing she can. An it's an action that dooms her for eternity.
It's a powerful story and it's powerfully written, with Sullivan leaning into the lyrical nature of Aife's wandering thoughts to take us through the ages into a time where kings had the power to break apart the forms of daughters who would not serve them.
In the end, Aife leaves us with the conclusion that she has seen the world age and her people die and yet she is still here, still being 'punished' for harming the Children of Lir, for daring to misbehave, for daring to want control. She leaves us with the question of whether we can condemn her for her actions whether we can even forgive her. The story has been told and there is no satisfactory ending, no neat little bow to wrap it up, no simple moral choice. Just the actions of a hurt and desperate girl-become-woman, and the pain they caused to those who she was supposed to love.
I have a hard time writing a coherent review for this book. It's not because I didn't like it nor because I liked it too much. Instead it seems the scattered narration of the main character is infectious.
The basic premise of Savage Her Reply is a re-telling of an Irish fairytale from the perspective of the witch in the tale. That in and of itself is not a particularly new concept. In fact, I'm sure there have been hundreds of books with the same premise.
What sets Sullivan apart it seems is her intense interest in the topic. Not just in the original fairytale, but also the witch, Aife. Savage Her Reply is not just a story about 'really happened', a behind-the-scenes look at the original tale, instead it is an examination of human character. Of what it takes to commit such an evil act as Aife did.
In the original fairytale, The Children of Lir, Aife is the wife of a mighty king and the step-mother/aunt of his children. One day, jealous of the affection her husband bestows upon his children, she lashes out at them and curses them to spend 900 years as swans. She is then promptly punished and turned into a demon of the air, and vanishes from the fairytale.
That is a fairly standard pattern for fairytales, where step-mothers are present. But Sullivan latches onto an aspect that is often overlooked. How could Aife become so jealous or evil that she would raise her hands on her sisters children? What happened to her to push her so far? And perhaps more importantly, does anything excuse such an action?
Savage Her Reply is told through Aife's own words, through her own lens, and because of that we get an uninterrupted look into her mind. A mind which is scattered to say the least after an age of being 'a demon of the air'. And so, Aife tells us the story, mostly chronologically, of her life. From the moment that the future High king took her and her sisters from their home as fosterlings, to the moment she curses her niece and nephews, and beyond to the end of the original fairytale at the end of the lives of the Children of Lir.
As we follow along, it doesn't take long to realize that Aife's life has not been one of particular comfort. However, it has not been one of particular distress either, and yet it seems her childhood and young-adulthood have their damage.
That is where I struggle most with my thoughts on this book, and I think that's partially by Sullivan's design. There is no denying that the early trauma of Aife's childhood has affected her, no denying that being ripped away from her parents and losing her guardians at a young age was damaging. However, Aife herself says that she was never satisfied, never felt like she had enough, never felt that she was enough. And that is the problem. A girl who was told she wasn't enough, became a woman who was chosen second and still wasn't enough. A girl who was ripped from her parents became a woman who is ripped from her sister, the only part of home she has left. And then, when she is told her sacrifices are still not enough, she shatters and takes out the pain on the only people she can reach, her sister's children. The curse is the action of a girl trying desperately to exert control over the one thing she can. An it's an action that dooms her for eternity.
It's a powerful story and it's powerfully written, with Sullivan leaning into the lyrical nature of Aife's wandering thoughts to take us through the ages into a time where kings had the power to break apart the forms of daughters who would not serve them.
In the end, Aife leaves us with the conclusion that she has seen the world age and her people die and yet she is still here, still being 'punished' for harming the Children of Lir, for daring to misbehave, for daring to want control. She leaves us with the question of whether we can condemn her for her actions whether we can even forgive her. The story has been told and there is no satisfactory ending, no neat little bow to wrap it up, no simple moral choice. Just the actions of a hurt and desperate girl-become-woman, and the pain they caused to those who she was supposed to love.
April 2, 2021
In a beautiful retelling of the Children of Lir, Deidre Sullivan presents Aife as we've never seen her before as her tortured soul recounts her own story from her childhood with her beloved sisters Aebh and Ailbhe to the hatred and wickedness in her own heart that caused her to make a great mistake, and curse the children she loved.
I really enjoyed this retelling of my favourite Irish myth, and I thought the way Deirdre Sullivan weaved together Celtic folklore, Irish history and magic together was done so beautifully, and the story felt like a song or a poem as there was a gorgeous lyrical quality to the writing.
The story certainly doesn't absolve Aife of her horrific crime, and the hurt she did to the Fionnuala and her brothers, but it definitely gave a voice to a woman in Irish stories that had appeared again and again as the wicked one, yet we never truly knew what motivated her to turn the children into swans other than basic jealousy. And in this story, jealousy was a motivator but it was also other things; loneliness, childlessness, frustration at the stationary place she as a woman had to take up and how because of her gender and stature she was refused the druid's path she should have taken.
There's definitely an interesting take here on men and women; the almost over the top punishment of Aife, and how Lir's grief was soon forgotten as he had other women and children. The fact that he killed Aebh due to his disregard for her body, and his need to put children upon her before it was ready to conceive and carry again. And Aife and Ailbhe were suppose to be okay with this almost murder of their gentle sister. Lots to think about though I don't think I'm able to articulate it all right now.
I loved learning how some of the poems at the start of each chapter were in the style of Ogham. I thought it was a lovely touch to a story already filled with magic.
I really enjoyed this retelling of my favourite Irish myth, and I thought the way Deirdre Sullivan weaved together Celtic folklore, Irish history and magic together was done so beautifully, and the story felt like a song or a poem as there was a gorgeous lyrical quality to the writing.
The story certainly doesn't absolve Aife of her horrific crime, and the hurt she did to the Fionnuala and her brothers, but it definitely gave a voice to a woman in Irish stories that had appeared again and again as the wicked one, yet we never truly knew what motivated her to turn the children into swans other than basic jealousy. And in this story, jealousy was a motivator but it was also other things; loneliness, childlessness, frustration at the stationary place she as a woman had to take up and how because of her gender and stature she was refused the druid's path she should have taken.
There's definitely an interesting take here on men and women; the almost over the top punishment of Aife, and how Lir's grief was soon forgotten as he had other women and children. The fact that he killed Aebh due to his disregard for her body, and his need to put children upon her before it was ready to conceive and carry again. And Aife and Ailbhe were suppose to be okay with this almost murder of their gentle sister. Lots to think about though I don't think I'm able to articulate it all right now.
I loved learning how some of the poems at the start of each chapter were in the style of Ogham. I thought it was a lovely touch to a story already filled with magic.
July 21, 2021
I put off reading this for so long just looking for the "perfect" time. I think I just got the vibe from everything about it that it was going to be something special. Then when I did start reading it I just wanted to savour it. I wanted every moment of it to stretch out and last forever and I wanted peace and quiet to just dive into its world and not have this one shake me back out again.
It is a retelling of The Children of Lir, but it's much more than that. The story is like the trunk of the tree and the words are twisted vines and branches, sharp thorns and gentle blossoms snaking all around it. It's easy to forget that the sanitised tales we hear as children were once the real stories that our ancestors passed to one another and used as cautionary tales, lessons in morality, entertainment and a way to preserve who they were in order to project themselves into this future. Savage her reply is a beautiful reminder that we have a rich mythology and history in Ireland that can still capture and enthrall us after all these centuries once we have an excellent story teller to pass them on.
It is a retelling of The Children of Lir, but it's much more than that. The story is like the trunk of the tree and the words are twisted vines and branches, sharp thorns and gentle blossoms snaking all around it. It's easy to forget that the sanitised tales we hear as children were once the real stories that our ancestors passed to one another and used as cautionary tales, lessons in morality, entertainment and a way to preserve who they were in order to project themselves into this future. Savage her reply is a beautiful reminder that we have a rich mythology and history in Ireland that can still capture and enthrall us after all these centuries once we have an excellent story teller to pass them on.
April 17, 2024
Fierce and wild and lovely - an inspired and passionate retelling of the ancient tale of the Children of Lir.
Not only is the writing superlative, the book is a beautiful object; handsomely bound and beautifully illustrated by Karen Vaughan.
A book to treasure.
Not only is the writing superlative, the book is a beautiful object; handsomely bound and beautifully illustrated by Karen Vaughan.
A book to treasure.
October 2, 2020
I was sent this review copy for free by Little Island Books / Nina Douglas PR for the purposes of providing an honest review.
Trigger and Content Warnings are under the spoiler tag.
Having adored Tangleweed and Brine so much, when I discovered Deirdre Sullivan had written another retelling earlier this year, Savage Her Reply, I had been desperate to read it. While I was expecting something beautiful, Savage Her Reply completely surpassed my expectations.
Savage Her Reply is a retelling of well loved Irish legend The Children of Lir, but from the perspective of Aífe, the evil, jealous witch of a stepmother who turns Lir's beloved children into swans for 900 years. Except in Savage Her Reply, it's not quite so simple. Because Aífe was more than just a jealous wife and stepmother, she was a young woman who spent the majority of her life before she was cursed as a pawn, a tool to be used, in the hands of men. She was a woman who wanted to be loved, wanted to belong, wanted a home. A woman who was - and is - suffering, and in so much pain, she lashed out and did the unforgivable - but had the unforgivable not already been done to her?
'I wanted to be heard and loved.
I wanted to be favoured.
And I wasn't.' (p27)
Aífe is telling us her story from the present day. Because being cursed and transformed into a demon of the air, she will never die. She's still alive, but she's fading. Her mind is slipping from her, becoming something more animal, and so she's telling her story while she still can, while she can still grasp it. Because there is a story to tell. The one that's been told? It's not the full story; it's not the whole truth, or even mostly the truth - not exactly. But 'if you tell a story often enough, it becomes the thing that's written down.' (p68) So now she's correcting the story, telling her side. She holds nothing back, but gives us the truth.
Taken along with her sisters from her parents as a young child to the sídh of High King Bodhbh the Red as his foster daughters, Aífe's life was never her own. While he wasn't unkind, he wasn't a loving father either - because they weren't his daughters, they were his tools. Aífe had a gift for making herself unseen and unheard, and was able to report things his people said back to Bodhbh. But more than that , they were bargaining chips. Aífe and her sisters loved each other fiercely, all they had was each other. Until Aébh, her older sister, is married off to Lir. King of his own sídh, Lir had been furious he wasn't voted in as High King himself, and so after his previous wife dies, he is given Aébh as a way to smooth things over between him and Bodhbh. First the sisters had been taken from their parents, now they were forced apart. And when Aébh dies whilst giving birth to her second set of twins, Aífe is given to Lir as a replacement. And despite herself - her heart broken over the death of her sister, and loathing Lir so with all of her being - she falls for the pretty lies he tells her, and she falls in love, believing she is loved just the same. Finally, at last, someone who loves her, a place to belong. She tries and she tries to be the most perfect wife, to please him, impress him, to keep him loving her, but it's never enough. He never loved her.
'I am seeking something like the truth. A truth, at least my truth. And I don't want to daub Lir's name with mud to show you how I shine. I am not a shining creature. I am an ugly thing and part of me has always been an ugly thing. A sneak. A child who liked attention, power. A woman who looked jealously at love that wasn't for her and resented it.
I thought, or hoped, that joy was possible for me, for us.
That I could make him mine.
That time and want and love would be enough.' (p69)
Again, she is just a tool; a womb to be filled, a mother to his children - children he adores. She cannot take it. In the depths of despair, she stops looking after herself. She goes to her room, and doesn't leave for a year. But when she emerges, she is furious; she's had enough, and Lir will pay.
'"Lir will say that I have lost my wits, and perhaps I have. Perhaps I am a dark, unpleasant creature. But I am my own creature. I am mine, my feet on the earth and the water in my soul and fire in my heart. And when all is taken from me, I will still have my anger and my pain and they will feed me."
"Was it so very bad to be our daughter?" [Bodhbh] asked me.
"I would not know," I said.' (p122)
While Savage Her Reply is so beautifully written, lyrical and gorgeous, it's not an easy read. It's hard to be with Aífe, as she tells us her story - to feel her pain and her anger, her overwhelming regret and shame for what she's done. But I was absolutely gripped. I was so angry for her! Her story is just rage-inducing, and she suffers time and time again. Yes, she did something terrible and awful, but I completely understand why, and though it changes nothing, she has been wracked with guilt from the moment she turned those innocent children - the children of her beloved sister - into swans. So much so, that she visited the swans when she could, poking at a wound of her own making, but needing to know if they were ok - as ok as they could be, how they were faring, what they're lives were like. And to be a witness to the suffering that she herself brought upon them. It's not much, but she can give them this. Until they become aware of her presence and she is forced away.
I absolutely loved the structure of this story. As well as giving us Aífe's story, Sullivan also rewrites the original fairy tale-legend as it's known, telling us the scéal (story) in pieces, told chronilogically alongside Aífe's. Sullivan shows those of us who aren't familiar with the original the way the story normally plays out, but also how Aífe's story differs from the one that's been told, the half-truths and the outright lies that have been told and retold again over the centuries. The story that showed certain people in a particular light - a sympathetic light, the wronged and betrayed - and a light that shone in black and white, with none of the shades of grey. Sullivan has also given Aífe a voice through Ogham calligrams - poems structured in the shapes of Ogham runes, an ancient Irish alphabet - and they're just so gorgeous and cut right to the bone. Sullivan just has an incredible way with words, whether prose or poetry, and manages to get right to the heart of something in so few words. My copy has numerous bookmark tabs, marking lines and passages that spoke to me; a turn of phrase beautifully worded, or an idea or thought that resonated with me. And again, with beautiful illustrations from Karen Vaughan, who illustrated Tangleweed and Brine; the main illustration at the beginning of Aífe transforming the children into swans is simply exquisite, and the beautiful illustrations that accompany the scéal of leaves transforming, mor each time, into feathers, delicate and elegant.
Savage Her Reply is a complete work of art. It's gorgeous and it's heart-wrenching, and it's just so perfect. It's painful and it's stunning, and one will stay with me for a very long time. Sullivan is an expert storyteller, and while I'll read whatever she rights, I do so hope this isn't the last retelling she graces us with. Absolutely cannot recommend Savage Her Reply enough.
'We are ourselves, and we are also stories people tell.' (p15)
'The stories that we hear when we are children shape us, don't they? Some more than most.' (p34)
'Stories can be weapons, persuading people of things about themselves, about each other.' (p19)
'You cannot trust a story.
Even mine.
Remember that.
Be careful.' (p69)
Trigger and Content Warnings are under the spoiler tag.
Having adored Tangleweed and Brine so much, when I discovered Deirdre Sullivan had written another retelling earlier this year, Savage Her Reply, I had been desperate to read it. While I was expecting something beautiful, Savage Her Reply completely surpassed my expectations.
Savage Her Reply is a retelling of well loved Irish legend The Children of Lir, but from the perspective of Aífe, the evil, jealous witch of a stepmother who turns Lir's beloved children into swans for 900 years. Except in Savage Her Reply, it's not quite so simple. Because Aífe was more than just a jealous wife and stepmother, she was a young woman who spent the majority of her life before she was cursed as a pawn, a tool to be used, in the hands of men. She was a woman who wanted to be loved, wanted to belong, wanted a home. A woman who was - and is - suffering, and in so much pain, she lashed out and did the unforgivable - but had the unforgivable not already been done to her?
'I wanted to be heard and loved.
I wanted to be favoured.
And I wasn't.' (p27)
Aífe is telling us her story from the present day. Because being cursed and transformed into a demon of the air, she will never die. She's still alive, but she's fading. Her mind is slipping from her, becoming something more animal, and so she's telling her story while she still can, while she can still grasp it. Because there is a story to tell. The one that's been told? It's not the full story; it's not the whole truth, or even mostly the truth - not exactly. But 'if you tell a story often enough, it becomes the thing that's written down.' (p68) So now she's correcting the story, telling her side. She holds nothing back, but gives us the truth.
Taken along with her sisters from her parents as a young child to the sídh of High King Bodhbh the Red as his foster daughters, Aífe's life was never her own. While he wasn't unkind, he wasn't a loving father either - because they weren't his daughters, they were his tools. Aífe had a gift for making herself unseen and unheard, and was able to report things his people said back to Bodhbh. But more than that , they were bargaining chips. Aífe and her sisters loved each other fiercely, all they had was each other. Until Aébh, her older sister, is married off to Lir. King of his own sídh, Lir had been furious he wasn't voted in as High King himself, and so after his previous wife dies, he is given Aébh as a way to smooth things over between him and Bodhbh. First the sisters had been taken from their parents, now they were forced apart. And when Aébh dies whilst giving birth to her second set of twins, Aífe is given to Lir as a replacement. And despite herself - her heart broken over the death of her sister, and loathing Lir so with all of her being - she falls for the pretty lies he tells her, and she falls in love, believing she is loved just the same. Finally, at last, someone who loves her, a place to belong. She tries and she tries to be the most perfect wife, to please him, impress him, to keep him loving her, but it's never enough. He never loved her.
'I am seeking something like the truth. A truth, at least my truth. And I don't want to daub Lir's name with mud to show you how I shine. I am not a shining creature. I am an ugly thing and part of me has always been an ugly thing. A sneak. A child who liked attention, power. A woman who looked jealously at love that wasn't for her and resented it.
I thought, or hoped, that joy was possible for me, for us.
That I could make him mine.
That time and want and love would be enough.' (p69)
Again, she is just a tool; a womb to be filled, a mother to his children - children he adores. She cannot take it. In the depths of despair, she stops looking after herself. She goes to her room, and doesn't leave for a year. But when she emerges, she is furious; she's had enough, and Lir will pay.
'"Lir will say that I have lost my wits, and perhaps I have. Perhaps I am a dark, unpleasant creature. But I am my own creature. I am mine, my feet on the earth and the water in my soul and fire in my heart. And when all is taken from me, I will still have my anger and my pain and they will feed me."
"Was it so very bad to be our daughter?" [Bodhbh] asked me.
"I would not know," I said.' (p122)
While Savage Her Reply is so beautifully written, lyrical and gorgeous, it's not an easy read. It's hard to be with Aífe, as she tells us her story - to feel her pain and her anger, her overwhelming regret and shame for what she's done. But I was absolutely gripped. I was so angry for her! Her story is just rage-inducing, and she suffers time and time again. Yes, she did something terrible and awful, but I completely understand why, and though it changes nothing, she has been wracked with guilt from the moment she turned those innocent children - the children of her beloved sister - into swans. So much so, that she visited the swans when she could, poking at a wound of her own making, but needing to know if they were ok - as ok as they could be, how they were faring, what they're lives were like. And to be a witness to the suffering that she herself brought upon them. It's not much, but she can give them this. Until they become aware of her presence and she is forced away.
I absolutely loved the structure of this story. As well as giving us Aífe's story, Sullivan also rewrites the original fairy tale-legend as it's known, telling us the scéal (story) in pieces, told chronilogically alongside Aífe's. Sullivan shows those of us who aren't familiar with the original the way the story normally plays out, but also how Aífe's story differs from the one that's been told, the half-truths and the outright lies that have been told and retold again over the centuries. The story that showed certain people in a particular light - a sympathetic light, the wronged and betrayed - and a light that shone in black and white, with none of the shades of grey. Sullivan has also given Aífe a voice through Ogham calligrams - poems structured in the shapes of Ogham runes, an ancient Irish alphabet - and they're just so gorgeous and cut right to the bone. Sullivan just has an incredible way with words, whether prose or poetry, and manages to get right to the heart of something in so few words. My copy has numerous bookmark tabs, marking lines and passages that spoke to me; a turn of phrase beautifully worded, or an idea or thought that resonated with me. And again, with beautiful illustrations from Karen Vaughan, who illustrated Tangleweed and Brine; the main illustration at the beginning of Aífe transforming the children into swans is simply exquisite, and the beautiful illustrations that accompany the scéal of leaves transforming, mor each time, into feathers, delicate and elegant.
Savage Her Reply is a complete work of art. It's gorgeous and it's heart-wrenching, and it's just so perfect. It's painful and it's stunning, and one will stay with me for a very long time. Sullivan is an expert storyteller, and while I'll read whatever she rights, I do so hope this isn't the last retelling she graces us with. Absolutely cannot recommend Savage Her Reply enough.
'We are ourselves, and we are also stories people tell.' (p15)
'The stories that we hear when we are children shape us, don't they? Some more than most.' (p34)
'Stories can be weapons, persuading people of things about themselves, about each other.' (p19)
'You cannot trust a story.
Even mine.
Remember that.
Be careful.' (p69)
October 30, 2020
I was drawn to read this having never heard of the Irish tale The Children of Lir and I was intrigued by the Gaelic names and words. I'm planning to read Tangleweed and Brine, a collection of shorter retold stories by the same author as well.
I loved the structure of the book, the italicised pages preceding some chapters that narrate a classic version of the tale, followed by the author's chapter which provides greater depth and is told from the point of view of Aife, the middle sister, married off to Lir after her sister died in childbirth.
I can imagine she is usually depicted as something sinister, she is a stepmother after all and they seemed destined to not be capable of any act of kindness, so I suppose we ought to be grateful that at least forgiveness is given a role. However, I held out hope that perhaps the author may have dug deeper or stretched the imagination wider to somehow redeem this woman's callous actions. There was room for more engagement with the source of her pain and regret.
It is a strange tale as her actions seem to be on account of her character - or perhaps due to a deep unacknowledged resentment at having been severed and separated, along with her two sisters, from their parents at a young age - rather than any apparent bad treatment by the husband as one might expect. Something about her motive remains a mystery despite the little soul searching she does.
The artwork and use of feathers is brilliant, I lived that each chapter had a mysterious, almost cryptic illustration of calligrams and poems laid out in particular shapes, their titles words I didn't know. The shapes mimic the characters, or letters of the earliest Irish alphabet, Ogham.
Reaffirming once again (having just read A Ghost in the Throat) the importance of poetry and the poet to Irish myth and culture, in its many forms.
I loved the structure of the book, the italicised pages preceding some chapters that narrate a classic version of the tale, followed by the author's chapter which provides greater depth and is told from the point of view of Aife, the middle sister, married off to Lir after her sister died in childbirth.
I can imagine she is usually depicted as something sinister, she is a stepmother after all and they seemed destined to not be capable of any act of kindness, so I suppose we ought to be grateful that at least forgiveness is given a role. However, I held out hope that perhaps the author may have dug deeper or stretched the imagination wider to somehow redeem this woman's callous actions. There was room for more engagement with the source of her pain and regret.
It is a strange tale as her actions seem to be on account of her character - or perhaps due to a deep unacknowledged resentment at having been severed and separated, along with her two sisters, from their parents at a young age - rather than any apparent bad treatment by the husband as one might expect. Something about her motive remains a mystery despite the little soul searching she does.
The artwork and use of feathers is brilliant, I lived that each chapter had a mysterious, almost cryptic illustration of calligrams and poems laid out in particular shapes, their titles words I didn't know. The shapes mimic the characters, or letters of the earliest Irish alphabet, Ogham.
Reaffirming once again (having just read A Ghost in the Throat) the importance of poetry and the poet to Irish myth and culture, in its many forms.
May 20, 2022
“Perhaps I am a dark, unpleasant creature. But I am my own creature. I am mine, my feet on the earth and the water in my soul and fire in my heart. And when all is taken from me, I will still have my anger and my pain and they will feed me.”
A lyrical retelling of the Irish legend of 'The Children of Lir,' Savage Her Reply by Deirdre Sullivan explores the wanting of women and brutality brought by unmet desires of one. Aife, the middle sister, is traded in place of her dead sister to the husband to take care of her elder sister's children. But not all women are there to make families. As Aife once said, creation is often forced upon women, and her magic; it destroys.
When her husband begins treating her as a nuisance, Aife's harbored resentment turns towards his children. To hurt him, she turns the four children into swans for nine hundred years. She, in turn, receives her own punishment. Unable to connect to anyone from her past life, Aife develops a kindred affection towards the four swans. This is not just the story of a woman maddened by jealousy. This is the story of men who toy with women, who drive them to do unspeakable things, whose brutality is glorified while the women's is antagonized. This is the story of the bonds of sisterhood, of the affinity one shares with their siblings. This is the story of children who can forgive despite going through unspeakable horrors. Above all, this is the story of a woman set to mend her mistakes and find a way past her guilt.
Savage Her Reply is a reflection of how history twists and turns, for better or worse, of the impact it has upon lives. It is a complex work of art and one that shatters old illusions to allow the light to shine on us, to teach us of both the good and the bad of being alive.
A lyrical retelling of the Irish legend of 'The Children of Lir,' Savage Her Reply by Deirdre Sullivan explores the wanting of women and brutality brought by unmet desires of one. Aife, the middle sister, is traded in place of her dead sister to the husband to take care of her elder sister's children. But not all women are there to make families. As Aife once said, creation is often forced upon women, and her magic; it destroys.
When her husband begins treating her as a nuisance, Aife's harbored resentment turns towards his children. To hurt him, she turns the four children into swans for nine hundred years. She, in turn, receives her own punishment. Unable to connect to anyone from her past life, Aife develops a kindred affection towards the four swans. This is not just the story of a woman maddened by jealousy. This is the story of men who toy with women, who drive them to do unspeakable things, whose brutality is glorified while the women's is antagonized. This is the story of the bonds of sisterhood, of the affinity one shares with their siblings. This is the story of children who can forgive despite going through unspeakable horrors. Above all, this is the story of a woman set to mend her mistakes and find a way past her guilt.
Savage Her Reply is a reflection of how history twists and turns, for better or worse, of the impact it has upon lives. It is a complex work of art and one that shatters old illusions to allow the light to shine on us, to teach us of both the good and the bad of being alive.
January 11, 2022
'Savage Her Reply' is a sharp and upfront retelling of the classic Irish story of the Children of Lir. It's told from Aífe point of view, and it takes us through the events leading up to what happened on Loch Dairbhreach, and, more importantly the events after. Aífe is an entirely complex and multifaceted woman; her emotions are convoluted and yet articulated excellently. It is a very grim and remorseful story, and this unique retelling does not shy away from 'ugly' emotions.
June 23, 2022
This was a very different sort of read than what I’m used to. Not really in genre, but in tone and the stylistic choices of Deirdre Sullivan.
Savage Her Reply is a memoir-ish style retelling of the Irish myth, The Children of Lir. Told from the point of view of the “villain” Aife, we learn that there really are no clear heroes or villains, at least when it comes to stories passed on through generation to generation.
We learn that stories get twisted and bent from each mouth they pass from, and truth lies in little pockets between it all. Sullivan also crafts a morally complex story and protagonist. Aife has done horrible wrongs, owns up to them, and still makes a case that brings her to a sympathetic view. It is compelling in a literary perspective and as a commentary on the female experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the US publisher for allowing me to read and review this novel. I hope you all take the time to seek it out.
Savage Her Reply is a memoir-ish style retelling of the Irish myth, The Children of Lir. Told from the point of view of the “villain” Aife, we learn that there really are no clear heroes or villains, at least when it comes to stories passed on through generation to generation.
We learn that stories get twisted and bent from each mouth they pass from, and truth lies in little pockets between it all. Sullivan also crafts a morally complex story and protagonist. Aife has done horrible wrongs, owns up to them, and still makes a case that brings her to a sympathetic view. It is compelling in a literary perspective and as a commentary on the female experience.
Thank you to NetGalley and the US publisher for allowing me to read and review this novel. I hope you all take the time to seek it out.
December 26, 2020
The Children of Lir as you've never heard it before. Dark and beautiful, rich with Irish myth, Ogham calligrams between every chapter, and poetry in the prose. Not one to be rushed.
July 7, 2022
I received this as an eARC from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley. This book is a feminist retelling of the Irish Tale of The Children of Lir.
The writing in this book is so perfect; the pacing, the structure, everything. It’s absolutely captivating and hard to put down. The book discusses feelings of loss, grief, anger, revenge, cruelty. It tells the story in Aífe’s POV, who is an unreliable narrator, taking the reader through the story of her upbringing, her losing her mind and her rage.
The book shows how trauma can corrupt a persons soul and result in evil doing that only harms the innocent. This story is tragic and heartbreaking and so entertaining to read. The ending caught me so off-guard and I cried. This is easily one of my new favourite books.
I would recommend this to everyone who loves folklore, retellings, books about feminine rage, stories of tragedy - any of those things. I will be purchasing a physical copy for myself and convincing everyone I can to pick one up too. I will also be checking out the authors other works because this writing was beautiful!
TW/CW - Attempted sexual assault of a child (mentioned, past); War; Child warriors; Mutilation; Gore; Grooming; Death; Death cause by giving birth; Arranged marriage; Abduction (mentioned); Sex (off page); Marital rape (on page); Blood; Depression; Self-hatred; Body horror; Grave desecration; Childhood trauma; PTSD; Demons; Beheading; Coercive religious conversion; Christianity; Mind control; Pregnancy
The writing in this book is so perfect; the pacing, the structure, everything. It’s absolutely captivating and hard to put down. The book discusses feelings of loss, grief, anger, revenge, cruelty. It tells the story in Aífe’s POV, who is an unreliable narrator, taking the reader through the story of her upbringing, her losing her mind and her rage.
The book shows how trauma can corrupt a persons soul and result in evil doing that only harms the innocent. This story is tragic and heartbreaking and so entertaining to read. The ending caught me so off-guard and I cried. This is easily one of my new favourite books.
I would recommend this to everyone who loves folklore, retellings, books about feminine rage, stories of tragedy - any of those things. I will be purchasing a physical copy for myself and convincing everyone I can to pick one up too. I will also be checking out the authors other works because this writing was beautiful!
TW/CW - Attempted sexual assault of a child (mentioned, past); War; Child warriors; Mutilation; Gore; Grooming; Death; Death cause by giving birth; Arranged marriage; Abduction (mentioned); Sex (off page); Marital rape (on page); Blood; Depression; Self-hatred; Body horror; Grave desecration; Childhood trauma; PTSD; Demons; Beheading; Coercive religious conversion; Christianity; Mind control; Pregnancy
March 11, 2021
If you liked Circe by Madeline Miller, check this out. (And it's shorter!)
I was afraid to read this book because I thought it would be too sad and too deeply rooted in Irish lore for me to understand. It was neither of those things.
The book is written from the perspective of Aife, the wife of Lir and stepmother and aunt to the four children who she turns into swans. The legend briefly mentions certain facts-- Aife and her sisters are foster daughters to Bodhbh, Aife is turned into a demon of the air as punishment for her curse, Lir never visits the children after they depart the lake where they spend the first 300 years as swans. What strange little tidbits! Sullivan has fully fleshed out the legend and developed a complete narrative that allows Aife to be a full character in this story. Her perspective here is that of a 2,000 year old being, zoomed out into almost a god-like peace. An immortal, with a full contemplation of her motivation, her guilt, her anger, her fate, and those of all humans. Sullivan's writing is not flowery, but her descriptions are heart-piercing.
She contemplates the telling of stories, and the real meanings in legends:
And, getting to the heart of the entire story and its real players:
The structure of the book follows the legend exactly, each chapter starts with a quoted paragraph or two from the legend, an illustration by Karen Vaughan, and a calligram- a poem in the shape of an Ogham character. These little touches evoked the love for Irish mythology, even as Sullivan pulls apart the misogyny so deeply embedded in many legends. The overarching theme here is that Aife is more than her part in this story, there is more to the legends that is lost in the telling, and we must examine who is telling the story and who that serves. The gutting truth of that is obvious to any woman, or anyone who is not a part of the dominant cultural voice, but instead of feeling downcast, it feels optimistic. It feels like reclaiming something, like hearing a voice that has been silenced for too long.
I was afraid to read this book because I thought it would be too sad and too deeply rooted in Irish lore for me to understand. It was neither of those things.
The book is written from the perspective of Aife, the wife of Lir and stepmother and aunt to the four children who she turns into swans. The legend briefly mentions certain facts-- Aife and her sisters are foster daughters to Bodhbh, Aife is turned into a demon of the air as punishment for her curse, Lir never visits the children after they depart the lake where they spend the first 300 years as swans. What strange little tidbits! Sullivan has fully fleshed out the legend and developed a complete narrative that allows Aife to be a full character in this story. Her perspective here is that of a 2,000 year old being, zoomed out into almost a god-like peace. An immortal, with a full contemplation of her motivation, her guilt, her anger, her fate, and those of all humans. Sullivan's writing is not flowery, but her descriptions are heart-piercing.
She contemplates the telling of stories, and the real meanings in legends:
Take the story of Oisin and Niamh, for example. He abducted her, and her father the king of Munster came with hundreds of warriors to bring her home. She stood upon a hill away from them, and as she saw them and their approach towards her, her heart burst out of her chest, they say, with shame, and all her serving women followed suit. Shame doesn't do that to a heart, but a spear will do a fine job of it, if you've one handy..... She was just a silly girl who couldn't keep her legs closed or her heart inside her ribcage. And, to keep people from reading in between the lines, they mixed her up with another story and another.
And, getting to the heart of the entire story and its real players:
It had never been about me, or even Aebh.
It was these two men, circling each other. Vying for dominance.
One a born leader, a fierce warrior.
One the son of a god.
The structure of the book follows the legend exactly, each chapter starts with a quoted paragraph or two from the legend, an illustration by Karen Vaughan, and a calligram- a poem in the shape of an Ogham character. These little touches evoked the love for Irish mythology, even as Sullivan pulls apart the misogyny so deeply embedded in many legends. The overarching theme here is that Aife is more than her part in this story, there is more to the legends that is lost in the telling, and we must examine who is telling the story and who that serves. The gutting truth of that is obvious to any woman, or anyone who is not a part of the dominant cultural voice, but instead of feeling downcast, it feels optimistic. It feels like reclaiming something, like hearing a voice that has been silenced for too long.
July 25, 2022
In the old days of Ireland, three little girls, sisters, were sent to the court of Bodhbh The Red to prove their parents loyalty. Aebh was the oldest and most beautiful. Aibhe was the youngest and determined to become a warrior. That left Aife, stuck in the middle and feeling left out most of the time.
The sisters grew to adulthood in the court with only each other as family. When they were grown, Bodhbh allowed Lir, a powerful chieftain, to come to his court and choose a wife from the sisters. He chose Aebh. Soon she had twins, a boy and a girl, and soon again, she was pregnant and had a second set of twins who were both boys. Having four children in such a short time was too much for her body and Aebh passed away. Lir demanded a new wife and this time took Aife.
At first Aife was happy in her role as wife. But as her husband started to neglect her and look elsewhere, she became bitter and vicious. She took her anger out on the servants and on the children of her sister. Finally, Aife determined to strike a blow Lir would never forget. She loaded the children in a coach and then stopped along the way at a lake. There she turned the children into swans and cursed them to remain so for nine hundred years. In return, Bodhbh turned Aife into a sky demon and cursed her forever.
This retelling of an old Irish folktale is sad but beautiful. The writing is lyrical and the reader is swept away into the tale of revenge and eventual redemption. Each chapter starts with a calligram which is a poem laid out in shapes and a tradition of Irish writing. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.
The sisters grew to adulthood in the court with only each other as family. When they were grown, Bodhbh allowed Lir, a powerful chieftain, to come to his court and choose a wife from the sisters. He chose Aebh. Soon she had twins, a boy and a girl, and soon again, she was pregnant and had a second set of twins who were both boys. Having four children in such a short time was too much for her body and Aebh passed away. Lir demanded a new wife and this time took Aife.
At first Aife was happy in her role as wife. But as her husband started to neglect her and look elsewhere, she became bitter and vicious. She took her anger out on the servants and on the children of her sister. Finally, Aife determined to strike a blow Lir would never forget. She loaded the children in a coach and then stopped along the way at a lake. There she turned the children into swans and cursed them to remain so for nine hundred years. In return, Bodhbh turned Aife into a sky demon and cursed her forever.
This retelling of an old Irish folktale is sad but beautiful. The writing is lyrical and the reader is swept away into the tale of revenge and eventual redemption. Each chapter starts with a calligram which is a poem laid out in shapes and a tradition of Irish writing. This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.
February 25, 2023
2 🌟
This started out as a 4 🌟 for me. I loved Tangleweed and Brine, and the writing in this is just as beautifully poetic as Deirdre Sullivans debut. However, the protagonist of this book, Aife became less solid as the book went on as her purpose and morals drastically transformed.
She suddenly shifts from an admiring, clever spy to a woman obsessed with a husband she has never previously shown care for. For a character that was so intriguing in the beginning, who had a talent that could have been explored while still staying true to the original folklore, it's disappointing that all of her depth vanishes once Aife is wed.
The narrator of the audiobook was brilliant and I may have had a slightly better experience with this book if I had the hard copy and could see the no doubt stunning illustrations. However, that doesn't change that the Tell and not Show approach to this book grew less and less effective on me as the most fascinating characters and conversations vanished after the first act.
Overall, beautiful lyrical writing as always with this author, but unfortunately the actual plotline lacked depth and sense for me.
This started out as a 4 🌟 for me. I loved Tangleweed and Brine, and the writing in this is just as beautifully poetic as Deirdre Sullivans debut. However, the protagonist of this book, Aife became less solid as the book went on as her purpose and morals drastically transformed.
She suddenly shifts from an admiring, clever spy to a woman obsessed with a husband she has never previously shown care for. For a character that was so intriguing in the beginning, who had a talent that could have been explored while still staying true to the original folklore, it's disappointing that all of her depth vanishes once Aife is wed.
The narrator of the audiobook was brilliant and I may have had a slightly better experience with this book if I had the hard copy and could see the no doubt stunning illustrations. However, that doesn't change that the Tell and not Show approach to this book grew less and less effective on me as the most fascinating characters and conversations vanished after the first act.
Overall, beautiful lyrical writing as always with this author, but unfortunately the actual plotline lacked depth and sense for me.
April 1, 2024
Mythology retellings, especially feminist retellings, have become one of my favorite genres, and I was excited about this one even though I had to look up the story ahead of time as I wasn't familiar with it. I'm glad I looked it up, because I think I would have been kind of lost otherwise.
This book started off really strong. Brine and Tanglewood were great, Aife, meanwhile, started out as a strong woman and then became seemingly focused only on the husband she didn't care about a few chapters earlier. This was frustrating to watch play out and didn't fit with the feminist retelling aspect of the story. It seemed like a bait and switch to me, and while I appreciated that Aife maintains some moral ambiguity, this detracted from the overall story impact.
I loved the poems at the beginning of every chapter, but the prose felt fussy and overwritten.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This book started off really strong. Brine and Tanglewood were great, Aife, meanwhile, started out as a strong woman and then became seemingly focused only on the husband she didn't care about a few chapters earlier. This was frustrating to watch play out and didn't fit with the feminist retelling aspect of the story. It seemed like a bait and switch to me, and while I appreciated that Aife maintains some moral ambiguity, this detracted from the overall story impact.
I loved the poems at the beginning of every chapter, but the prose felt fussy and overwritten.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
May 21, 2025
The cultural shift between Pre-Christian and Christian Ireland is a point which I have a personal penchant for. I especially love the stories of the Mythological Cycle. I think Sullivan did this story justice- offering a dual-perspective with both a traditional retelling alongside her contemporary adaptation.
I loved the little poetic Ogham she had at the beginning of every chapter. I thought this was a great touch which added to her very lyrical prose.
What I really loved, however, was the expansion of this story. Unlike traditional narratives, this story followed multiple paths and various characters and avenues- Albeit through Aífe’s voice. Instead of a static event, Sullivan continuously places it within a wider and multi dimensional space.
Sometimes the prose of it was a little slow and I could have easily skipped a few lines and missed nothing consequential
Final thoughts ? - Savage Her Reply asks readers to listen to the silence between stories and to consider who is really allowed to speak and have their voices heard.
I loved the little poetic Ogham she had at the beginning of every chapter. I thought this was a great touch which added to her very lyrical prose.
What I really loved, however, was the expansion of this story. Unlike traditional narratives, this story followed multiple paths and various characters and avenues- Albeit through Aífe’s voice. Instead of a static event, Sullivan continuously places it within a wider and multi dimensional space.
Sometimes the prose of it was a little slow and I could have easily skipped a few lines and missed nothing consequential
Final thoughts ? - Savage Her Reply asks readers to listen to the silence between stories and to consider who is really allowed to speak and have their voices heard.
November 1, 2021
This book is such a good read! If you are interested in dark feminist retellings of myths, Irish folklore, and books told from the villains perspective, then this book is for you! It is a retelling of the classic Irish fairytale, The Children of Lir, told from the perspective of Aoife, the ‘evil stepmother’. I love this book because it stays true to the original story. I think a mistake that most authors make in retellings is they make the villain to likeable if that makes sense? This book, on the other hand, humanizes Aoife and gives her reasons for doing what she did, but at her core she is still shown as selfish and childish . This book explains Aoife’s character so well, and how all her life, every one of her choices was made for her by men, but still doesn’t excuse her behavior. I think it is definitely an accomplishment to write a book in which the main character is not a good person, and still keep the reader interested. I really enjoyed this, and I highly recommend!!!
August 7, 2022
I loved the ogham-shaped poems between chapters; in and of themselves but also as helpful touchstones for the emotions and themes that otherwise stream profusely and a little confusedly through the text. Irish mythology is littered with vengeful and/or tragic women and I enjoyed this original and deeply considered telling of Aífe’s life and the great cruelty she wrought on her niece and nephews. While you can’t help but feel Aífe is an unreliable narrator, the frantic and timeless first-person voice gives this book a lot of its magic and mystical quality. I picked up my copy in a charity shop - purple hardback cover with black endpapers - and it’s a wonderful object, particularly for the illustrations and typesetting of the ogham-poems.
September 14, 2025
I really don’t know what I expected of this book, but it unfortunately wasn’t this. Over the last few years I’ve really loved multiple retellings of old fairytales, and to see a retelling of a traditional Irish one I just thought hook this up to my veins. But unfortunately I felt let down. This was difficult to follow at times, the tale sometimes didn’t make sense to me and spanned over a very long period of time. Yes it showed that the “evil stepmother” was a much more complex character, with issues of her own. But I just generally found this to be quite lacklustre unfortunately, which is a shame
September 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.
Savage Her Reply is a very interesting retelling of the Irish fairy tale The Children of Lir. The author took a very creative way of writing this story and at first, I wasn't sure if this creative way was the best way to execute this story. But my doubts were quickly put at ease as the story unraveled in such an interesting way and through beautiful prose. A story of sisterly bonding, of grief and guilt, and true layers to an incredible protagonist. The artwork is beautiful and helps enhance the imagination in the story.
Savage Her Reply is a very interesting retelling of the Irish fairy tale The Children of Lir. The author took a very creative way of writing this story and at first, I wasn't sure if this creative way was the best way to execute this story. But my doubts were quickly put at ease as the story unraveled in such an interesting way and through beautiful prose. A story of sisterly bonding, of grief and guilt, and true layers to an incredible protagonist. The artwork is beautiful and helps enhance the imagination in the story.
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