Weave

by Oein DeBhairduin, Deirdre Sullivan, Yingge Xu (Illustrator)

Weave is the second of the Solstice Stories, an innovative series designed to celebrate the small, the brilliant, and the beautiful. In this unique collaboration, writers Deirdre Sullivan and Oein DeBhairduin and artist Yingge Xu explore their shared passion for storytelling, folklore and ritual. Encompassing eight stories inspired by the eight festivals in the wheel of the year, this book illuminates our experiences and traverses our fears, intertwining older threads with contemporary spaces.

108 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2022

Reviews

[Niamh Ennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice split book with old tales of Ireland weaving them together. Yet the stories feel different enough to grab you - Sullivans are more modern with a twist if myth, feeling very short story she fits the traditional slice of the story but in a rare successful way where it doesn't feel unfinished or without meaning. Oein's section continues in the vein of his own collection with start middle and successful bright end of classic myths with stories taste are refreshingly new to the average reader, told in great flowing language and feels like it is being told aloud by a great storyteller. Both sides glow with female characters and celtic festival culture.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book because it has illustrations by a Chinese artist, Yingge Xu, who I know through attending her online painting classes. Her illustrations are exactly what I love about her work; she has such a light and incisive touch. The stories by Deirdre Sullivan and Oein DeBhairduin, whilst full of a particularly raw and wild energy, did not make for easy reading for me!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet gem

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected. Deirdres side is more contemporary writing, Oeins side more folk tales, which I enjoyed more.

[T P Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The presentation of this book is great. I really loved the illustrations. The stories are worth a read. However, somehow, the book felt less than the sum of its parts. The extracts from Irish mythology contained nothing new (for me). Deirdre Sullivan's stories were oddly unsettling and engaging.

[DIANA RODRÍGUEZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oein DeBhairduin and Deirdre Sullivan have combined forces to bring this masterpiece to us. The stories are riveting and the illustrations are beautiful!

[Ci ODoherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of short stories about Irish folklore told in both the traditional and contemporary format.

[Pyramids Ubiquitous · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice sampling of Irish short fiction that sheds light on Irish folklore with an acute sense of place and environment. Sullivan's half contains some tender short stories with a sense foreboding, and are much more well-executed.