What do you think?
Rate this book
Daughter of Lir
Tochter der Insel - bk80; Buchgemeinschaften; Diana Norman; pocket_book; 1998
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 6, 1988
9 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Diana Norman
32 books148 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
British journalist Diana Norman also writes as Ariana Franklin.
Born Mary Diana Narracott, she grew up first in London and then in Devon, where her mother took her to escape the blitz. At the age of 15, she left school, but with journalism in her background (her father had been a Times correspondent)and her hardy intelligence, the lack of formal education proved no barrier and by 17 she was n London, working on a local newspaper in the East End.
Headhunted at 20 by the Daily Herald, Norman became the youngest reporter on Fleet Street, covering royal visits, donning camouflage to go on exercise with the Royal Marines, and missing her 21st birthday party because she was covering a murder on the south coast. When she protested about this to the news editor, she was told: "Many happy returns. Now get down to Southampton." Diana Norman became, at twenty years of age, the youngest reporter on what used to be Fleet Street.
She married the film critic Barry Norman in 1957, and they settled in Hertfordshire with their two daughters. She began writing fiction shortly after her second daughter was born. Her first book of fiction, Fitzempress's Law, was chosen by Frank Delaney of BBC Radio 4's Bookshelf as the best example of a historical novel of its year. She is now a freelance journalist, as well as a writer of biographies and historical novels.
She died at the age of 77 on January 27, 2011. She was best known for her historical crime series featuring the 12th-century medical examiner Adelia Aguilar, written under the pen name of Ariana Franklin. The first book in the series, Mistress of the Art of Death, was published to critical acclaim in 2007 and won the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger award in the UK, as well as prizes in the US and Sweden.
Norman is survived by her husband, their daughters, Samantha and Emma, and three grandsons. Mr. Norman wrote a wonderful tribute to his wife.
• Diana Norman, writer, born 25 August 1933; died 27 January 2011
British journalist Diana Norman also writes as Ariana Franklin.
Born Mary Diana Narracott, she grew up first in London and then in Devon, where her mother took her to escape the blitz. At the age of 15, she left school, but with journalism in her background (her father had been a Times correspondent)and her hardy intelligence, the lack of formal education proved no barrier and by 17 she was n London, working on a local newspaper in the East End.
Headhunted at 20 by the Daily Herald, Norman became the youngest reporter on Fleet Street, covering royal visits, donning camouflage to go on exercise with the Royal Marines, and missing her 21st birthday party because she was covering a murder on the south coast. When she protested about this to the news editor, she was told: "Many happy returns. Now get down to Southampton." Diana Norman became, at twenty years of age, the youngest reporter on what used to be Fleet Street.
She married the film critic Barry Norman in 1957, and they settled in Hertfordshire with their two daughters. She began writing fiction shortly after her second daughter was born. Her first book of fiction, Fitzempress's Law, was chosen by Frank Delaney of BBC Radio 4's Bookshelf as the best example of a historical novel of its year. She is now a freelance journalist, as well as a writer of biographies and historical novels.
She died at the age of 77 on January 27, 2011. She was best known for her historical crime series featuring the 12th-century medical examiner Adelia Aguilar, written under the pen name of Ariana Franklin. The first book in the series, Mistress of the Art of Death, was published to critical acclaim in 2007 and won the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger award in the UK, as well as prizes in the US and Sweden.
Norman is survived by her husband, their daughters, Samantha and Emma, and three grandsons. Mr. Norman wrote a wonderful tribute to his wife.
• Diana Norman, writer, born 25 August 1933; died 27 January 2011
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 1, 2018
Re-Read
Setting: 12 Century Ireland
Six year old Fiona has little memory of who she is and where she came from.
She only remembers being handed over to the nuns at the Fonterevault Abbey, the most sophisticated, richest, convent in France.
The nuns change her name to Boniface, and as she is raised at the convent Boniface prepares to devote her life to God.
Years go by, and Boniface moves up in the abbey but she craves more power, and it comes to her one day by being offered the position as Abbess of Kildare in Ireland.
Unknown to her, there are religious and political reasons why she is chosen.
Although she denies her Irish heritage, and she seems like an unlikely choice, Boniface accepts.
When Boniface settles into her role as Abbess, she warns the clans against war and in an attempt to keep the peace in Ireland she makes a strong enemy of one of the most powerful and cruel leaders: Dermot of Leinster.
Dermot does not like being made a fool of, and he gets his revenge by having Boniface raped in her own chapel.
(This isn't a spoiler as it states it on the back of the book )
Humiliated, Boniface withdraws into herself and the abbey not knowing how to help her, send her to her family's clan.
( Which comes to light later, and I wont spoil it )
Unfortunately, her clan as well cant help her so they send her to a woman who takes those with battered souls and helps them to fend for themselves and learn to live again.
Finola ( now Finn ) makes a new life for herself and establishes an intricate network of informants in an effort to stay one step ahead of Henry FitzEmpress.
Along the way in her new journey, Finn experiences friendship, love, betrayal and the meaning of sacrifice.
What a fabulous book! And I think I enjoyed it more this time as I took in more detail that I seem to have missed the first time.
Again great historical detail, plot, even pacing, and most of all a very special heroine here.
At first I wasn't crazy about Finola-Boniface-Finn,( this time around I understood her better )
The reader grows with her, shares her rising, her tragedy of herself, and most of all her triumph of coming back among the living.
What a journey this was!
I also wasn't aware that the author also wrote as Ariana Frankin who was the author of the "Mistress of Death" series.
Luckily, I have all of her books written as Diana Norman and I plan to read the Mistress of death series as well.
Sadly, the author has passed away and there will be no more books by this talented Author.
So I will treasure all the ones I have, and I highly recommend this book if she is a new author to you.
Setting: 12 Century Ireland
Six year old Fiona has little memory of who she is and where she came from.
She only remembers being handed over to the nuns at the Fonterevault Abbey, the most sophisticated, richest, convent in France.
The nuns change her name to Boniface, and as she is raised at the convent Boniface prepares to devote her life to God.
Years go by, and Boniface moves up in the abbey but she craves more power, and it comes to her one day by being offered the position as Abbess of Kildare in Ireland.
Unknown to her, there are religious and political reasons why she is chosen.
Although she denies her Irish heritage, and she seems like an unlikely choice, Boniface accepts.
When Boniface settles into her role as Abbess, she warns the clans against war and in an attempt to keep the peace in Ireland she makes a strong enemy of one of the most powerful and cruel leaders: Dermot of Leinster.
Dermot does not like being made a fool of, and he gets his revenge by having Boniface raped in her own chapel.
(This isn't a spoiler as it states it on the back of the book )
Humiliated, Boniface withdraws into herself and the abbey not knowing how to help her, send her to her family's clan.
( Which comes to light later, and I wont spoil it )
Unfortunately, her clan as well cant help her so they send her to a woman who takes those with battered souls and helps them to fend for themselves and learn to live again.
Finola ( now Finn ) makes a new life for herself and establishes an intricate network of informants in an effort to stay one step ahead of Henry FitzEmpress.
Along the way in her new journey, Finn experiences friendship, love, betrayal and the meaning of sacrifice.
What a fabulous book! And I think I enjoyed it more this time as I took in more detail that I seem to have missed the first time.
Again great historical detail, plot, even pacing, and most of all a very special heroine here.
At first I wasn't crazy about Finola-Boniface-Finn,( this time around I understood her better )
The reader grows with her, shares her rising, her tragedy of herself, and most of all her triumph of coming back among the living.
What a journey this was!
I also wasn't aware that the author also wrote as Ariana Frankin who was the author of the "Mistress of Death" series.
Luckily, I have all of her books written as Diana Norman and I plan to read the Mistress of death series as well.
Sadly, the author has passed away and there will be no more books by this talented Author.
So I will treasure all the ones I have, and I highly recommend this book if she is a new author to you.
May 14, 2012
No one writes historical fiction like Diana Norman; her characters jump off the page, but never feel anachronistic. 'Daughter of Lir' is funny, tragic, and immensely moving. Norman makes it quite clear that her sympathies lie with the Irish, and with the women, but she likes men too (unless they're raping and pillaging). The plot is never didactic and people on both sides of the struggle are portrayed sympathetically. I found this book quite hard to read in places, because it was clearly not going to end well, but it's beautifully written. Interesting too, because in her other books it is clear that Norman is a great admirer of Henry II for his introduction of common law. In this book however, we see that while Henry might have been good for England, he was not good for Ireland.
I think Diana Norman is probably my all-time favourite author. I wish someone would reprint her earlier books, which are currently selling for hundreds of dollars.
I think Diana Norman is probably my all-time favourite author. I wish someone would reprint her earlier books, which are currently selling for hundreds of dollars.
November 3, 2017
Six year old Finola is abducted from her home in Ireland and brought up in the sophisticated convent in Fontervrault in France. Finola became Sister Boniface and she was to put from her mind all that she knew of those early years. This novel is a massive, panoramic view of the history of Ireland from the 1140's until just after the murder of Thomas Becket in 1170. The story is told through the life of Finola of the Partraige clan. Her life is by no means easy, she has to become a strong and self-sufficient woman in a time when that was not the norm. The villain of the story is Dermot Leinster, a man greedy for status and money. This is quite a complicated story as it encompasses a long span of history and includes so much information, historical, mythical and domestic facts of the time. There are so many clans in Ireland at that time and each one has its own king, each king wants to me High King of Dublin. There are constant skirmishes and many outright bloody and savage battles between the clans. The Irish however are extremely honourable and do not take part is such things as ambushes or surprise attacks, a time and place is planned for a battle and both sides arrive and the fight begins, however once it started is no holds barred and the fighting is gruesome! Some of the folk tales and myths are really amusing and made me chuckle. All of the characters whether fictional or historical are well rounded and come across, even down so many centuries as very human. The reader finds that they are sympathising with or hating particular people and at times I felt really emotional at the cruelty of the times. The author has told the story as near to the truth as possible with just a few moves of dates to fit in and some added characters to make the story flow. This is a fascinating insight into the events of the time and it is really worth sticking with the 500 story right to the end.
March 5, 2024
The first Diana Norman book I read, I picked it up from a remainders table at Central Department Store in downtown Bangkok. Daughter of Lir takes place in 12th century Ireland & England, with a bit of France (Fontrevault Abbey) thrown in. Great, accurate history with some very believable anachronisms thrown in. Norman is fascinated by Henry II, and this book (the first after Fitzempress' Law, I think) features that brilliant monarch.
Definitely a favorite, and one I've re-read a number of times.
Definitely a favorite, and one I've re-read a number of times.
March 11, 2024
Exhilarating and exhausting - 4 1/2 stars - my review:
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...
February 11, 2018
Diana Norman is a perfect choice for winter (or, well, anytime) because she writes the sort of epic that holds you in thrall for hours at a time. Her stories are intricate, nuanced, and never, ever, just a quick, easy read. Her characters - and their stories - develop slowly, a page at a time, with exquisite detail, so that by the time you are finished, you feel as though the narrative is a part of you. Nobody writes like Diana Norman today; when she dies, we truly lost one of the greats.
"Daughter of Lir" follows the life of Finola, a captured Irish girl who is given to the nuns at a convent in France. Hence, she grows up as Sister Boniface, eventually becomes an Abbess and returns to Ireland - where all sorts of turmoil, adventure, war, etc await her. Eventually, she leaves the sisterhood behind to become Finn, a warrior, and lover to the man who can most do her beloved country damage.
But, Norman's stories are never simple or straightforward! Again - think epic! If you have never read her, start! You are in for a treat.
"Daughter of Lir" follows the life of Finola, a captured Irish girl who is given to the nuns at a convent in France. Hence, she grows up as Sister Boniface, eventually becomes an Abbess and returns to Ireland - where all sorts of turmoil, adventure, war, etc await her. Eventually, she leaves the sisterhood behind to become Finn, a warrior, and lover to the man who can most do her beloved country damage.
But, Norman's stories are never simple or straightforward! Again - think epic! If you have never read her, start! You are in for a treat.
April 11, 2020
A novel set in Diana Norman's favorite period, the time of Henry II of England; in this case it's his acquisition of Ireland.
As always it's peopled by strong, conflicted characters you care about in a setting where something is always happening just off camera.
In the case of this particular novel, four stars because it's just that little bit overdone and overlong. I do wish she were still around to be writing.
As always it's peopled by strong, conflicted characters you care about in a setting where something is always happening just off camera.
In the case of this particular novel, four stars because it's just that little bit overdone and overlong. I do wish she were still around to be writing.
May 12, 2020
I loved it!
I think about this book constantly even though I’ve read it some years ago.
It has influenced me in my most insecure teen years to be strong and never give up.
I’ve learned through an interesting story on how powerful women can be, even in the medieval times.
Must read for every women who likes historical stories and strong women influence.
And I need to reread this book.
I think about this book constantly even though I’ve read it some years ago.
It has influenced me in my most insecure teen years to be strong and never give up.
I’ve learned through an interesting story on how powerful women can be, even in the medieval times.
Must read for every women who likes historical stories and strong women influence.
And I need to reread this book.
January 7, 2018
CW: rape
February 8, 2019
It took me a while to find a copy of this, so I had high expectations. It was a great read of Irish history from the perspective of women who were omitted from the written record.
January 12, 2020
Gegen Ende wurde es sogar sowas wie spannend....
July 27, 2021
Excellent book.
August 18, 2021
Well written and researched; well worth reading
September 5, 2021
Diana Norman does it again! The fact that so many of her books are out of publication is a literary crime.
September 22, 2021
This is an outstanding book. What a woman Diana has created in the character of Lir. So real, so joyous, so anguished. I was disappointed to finish this book. I loved it and will read all her others.
June 21, 2010
A fascinating look at medieval Ireland told from a woman's perspective, this book combines actual events and people with fictional characters. It is the beginning of the end for Ireland's High Kings, the time of Strongbow. I'm hoping to find more by the author, although this one had to come from amazon.uk. Thanks, Lorie :)
May 18, 2014
wonderfully enjoyable book. The story of an Irish nun in the 12th century - the time of Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. It's made me want to read more about the period - find out how much of this book is fact (or at least, what is accepted as fact). it's a book that got better as I read, and I was sorry to finish. Totally recommended.
July 30, 2014
I enjoyed this book which is set in twelth century Ireland. The heroine is interesting as she battles with the prejuidice against women and the violence of the times. The writer also uses humour sometimes in unexpected situations.
July 15, 2010
Would really like to read Terrible Beauty- I like all mythical Ireland books. Perhaps because ancient Ireland were not afraid of women leaders and women had rights in their societies.
September 18, 2012
Another excellent historical noval from Diana Norman. A credible romance and a storyline that just draws you in. I sat up all night (again) because I couldn't bear to put it down and go back to it!
April 3, 2013
sehr zäh und sehr gender
February 10, 2013
This is one of my all time favourite books.
August 13, 2016
Brilliant. Wish I could find more of her books by sadly they are out of print.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews