Into the Forest discussion

Time for book nominations!

Our winning theme this time around is: Folklore, Mythology,Fairy Tales and Legends of Ireland


The categories are Adult, YA, and original tale/collection.

We'll set up the polls for choosing the exact book early next week.

For original tale/collection I'll nominate "The Priest's Soul", a favorite short story from the collection Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats.

The entire collection of stories is very good, 300 pages, so if you'd rather read all stories, then I'd suggest this book. It is in the public domain; free at:http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33887

Original tale/collection: "The Children of Lir"

From the collection Lady Gregory's Complete Irish Mythology. It's fairly hefty at 500+ pages. This collection consists of two books, Gods and Fighting Men and Cuchulain of Muirthemne, both of which are available online as linked. There are used print copies of the complete collection available online from $4 USD and up.

Note: There's also a version of "The Children of Lir" in Celtic Wonder-Tales by by Ella Young, the full version of which is available online.

YA retelling: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Based on "The Children of Lir" and Grimms' "The Six Swans"
Shapeshifter by Holly Bennett

Adult retelling: Song of Ireland by Juilene Osborne-McKnight
Based on the myth of Tuatha De Danaan

Thanks for setting this up Melanti!
I m traveling until the 3 and only have internet every now and then.

Leah wrote: "Original tale/collection: "The Children of
YA retelling: Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Based on "The Children of Lir" and Grimms' "The Six Swans..."

We did a group read for Daughter of the Forest a few years ago.
I really liked it but never read the next books in the series. I'd like to.
It's definitely not YA however.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Jalilah wrote: "We did a group read for Daughter of the Forest a few years ago...It's definitely not YA however."

Interesting. That's how it's shelved at our library. Along with the others in the series.

Leah wrote: "Interesting. That's how it's shelved at our library. Along with the others in the series. ..."

I wouldn't classify it as YA either. My local libraries both shelve it in the adult section.

It does have a younger main character - I forget how old, but a teenager - and some people automatically put all books with teen main characters into the Young Adult section. But there's some graphic violence in it that some some parents wouldn't like a younger teen to read, and the writing style is more in line with an adult book.

I'll nominate Red Branch by Morgan Llywelyn for an adult retelling.

BTW I have read & loved Daughter of the Forest & the rest of that series by Juliet Marillier. She is one of my all-time favorite authors. And I'd agree that the books are not YA.

Melanti wrote: "Leah wrote: "Interesting. That's how it's shelved at our library. Along with the others in the series. ..."

I wouldn't classify it as YA either. My local libraries both shelve it in the adult sect..."

I would agree that it's adult.

Interestingly, my local bookstore does the exact opposite with her--everything goes into adult, including her YA series.

It's a good book, and I meant to continue the series after we read it, but I didn't.

Kathy wrote: "I'll nominate Red Branch by Morgan Llywelyn for an adult retelling.

BTW I have read & loved Daughter of the Forest & the rest of that series ..."

oooh, I haven't read anything by Llywelyn in a really long time!

Margaret wrote: "Interestingly, my local bookstore does the exact opposite with her--everything goes into adult, including her YA series. ..."

Some of her covers are very YA looking - even on some of the books where reviewers here on Goodreads say it's an adult book. I guess they think better safe than sorry?

For YA, I will nominate Hounded.


For traditional The Táin: From the Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge

Chris wrote: "For YA, I will nominate Hounded.


For traditional The Táin: From the Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge"

I think Hounded is adult too. Lightweight but adult.

I've been wanting to re-read The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany... Do you guys think it's celtic enough to qualify?

It's been a REALLY long time since I've read it and I honestly don't recall...


Hm. Wikipedia says Dunsany worked with Yeats and someone named Lady Gregory who was influential in the Irish Literary Revival. So, odds are, that if Yeats & company qualify as Celtic writers, Dunsany probably does too...

Melanti wrote: "I've been wanting to re-read The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany... Do you guys think it's celtic enough to qualify?

It's been a REALLY long time since I've read it and I ..."

It's been a long time since I've read it too --
Speaking of Yeats -- Here is a nomination for a collection of tales written by him:
The Celtic Twilight: Faerie and Folklore by W.B. Yeats

And for YA (even earlier) retelling:
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

For YA, I'll nominate A Wizard Abroad by Diane Duane.

I haven't found anything yet for adult and collection, but I'll update when I come up with something!

Does anyone know if The Riddle-Master of Hed is based on Irish Mythology?

Most of the lists I'm finding focus more generally on Celtic mythology, so it's hard to figure out ones that are retellings of specifically Irish mythology.

I would love to read The King of Elfland's Daughter, though I haven't read it before so I don't know how Irish it is.

There are going to be too many really good nominations with this theme -- I fear it will only add to my TBR list.

Melanti wrote: "Hm. Wikipedia says Dunsany worked with Yeats and someone named Lady Gregory who was influential in the Irish Literary Revival."

See my nomination for original tale :) which is from Lady Gregory's collection; Yeats wrote "I think this book is the best that has come out of Ireland in my time."

I updated my YA retelling nomination based on group's feedback.

Oh, wait, nominations are for IRISH folklore/mythology! For some reason, I still had Celtic in my head. Lord Dunsany should be fair game, then.

Margaret wrote: "Does anyone know if The Riddle-Master of Hed is based on Irish Mythology? ..."

That's a blast from the past! I haven't read that book in decades! Unfortunately, I don't remember.

Leah wrote: "Melanti wrote: "Hm. Wikipedia says Dunsany worked with Yeats and someone named Lady Gregory who was influential in the Irish Literary Revival."

See my nomination for original tale :) which is from..."

Now I feel unobservant.

Margaret wrote: "...

Does anyone know if The Riddle-Master of Hed is based on Irish Mythology? ..."


I believe that it is.

Leah wrote: "... updated my YA retelling nomination based on group's feedback...."


Oh good! I was looking at that book too!

The other idea I had was all of the Bordertown books that are out.

Okay, so I'm retracting A Wizard Abroad because it's #4 in a series, which I didn't realize when I nominated it.

For YA, I'll nominate The Druid's Tune by O.R. Melling.

While I would love to read Riddle-master of Hed, I'd rather pick something where Irish mythology takes more of a center stage. With that in mind, I'd like to nominate Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy . This is a collection of contemporary short stories, so I think it should be adult. Or would it be collections? I interpret collections to be originals/classics.

Also, not related to nominations, but how do you cross out things in previous posts?

Margaret wrote: "Or would it be collections? I interpret collections to be originals/classics. ..."

Yes, that's how it was intended to be... Either one original/classic tale or a collection of original/classic tales. Modern retellings - even a collection of them should be nominated for the adult/YA options.

Oh, and to cross out sentences/paragraphs, use "s" within the brackets. S is short for "strike out". < s > and < / s > (without the spaces). You can always click on the "Some HTML is Ok" link for a cheat sheet.

It's still the first day, so there's plenty of time to go, but here's what's been nominated so far:

Original tales:
"The Priest's Soul", from the collection Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats.
"The Children of Lir" from Lady Gregory's Complete Irish Mythology.
The Táin: From the Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge
The Celtic Twilight: Faerie and Folklore by W.B. Yeats


Adult:
Song of Ireland by Juilene Osborne-McKnight
Red Branch by Morgan Llywelyn
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy (Anthology)
Too Long A Sacrifice by Mildred Downey Broxon
Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

YA:
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
The Druid's Tune by O.R. Melling
The New Policeman by Kate Thompson
Reluctantly Charmed by Ellie O'Neill

I can't keep track of what is YA anymore

Well, it is YA friendly, if that helps your pride! I don't recall anything in it that I'd rate above PG13.

Chris wrote: "I can't keep track of what is YA anymore"

I agree--nowadays libraries would shelve The Book of Three with Middle Grade. But it came out back when YA could mean anything above early reader level that was not intended primarily for adults.

P.S. I love the whole Prydain trilogy, both for story and for writing.

I never got around to the Prydain trilogy, surprisingly enough.

I saw it on the shelf at the library dozens of times but somehow, I just never bothered to read it.

I'm going ot nominate The New Policeman by Kate Thompson for YA.

Melanti wrote: "Oh, and to cross out sentences/paragraphs, use "s" within the brackets. S is short for "strike out". < s > and < / s > (without the spaces). You can always click on the "Some HTML is Ok" link for a cheat sheet. "

Thanks!

I read the Prydain Chronicles as a child, so it's been a while!

Has anyone read The Mabinogion Tetralogy by Evangeline Walton? One of hte books is called The Children of Llyr, and Leah's original tale nomination reminded me of it...

Is it any good?

I have it, but I have not read it yet. If you want to do a body read let me know.

Chris wrote: "I have it, but I have not read it yet. If you want to do a body read let me know."

I have it too, and would love to buddy read! Or someone could nominate it for the group read?

I thought about changing my nomination if someone could recommend it, but I'm not even sure which one to change it to!

It looks like it's one of those series that was written out of order.

Book 4 seems t o have been published first and book 1 was published last.
And I'm not sure if I should be familiar with the original The Mabinogion either. I read bits of it for school and still have a copy, but I don't remember it well and most of it is unread.

The mabinogian is Welsh, right?

Margaret wrote: "The mabinogian is Welsh, right?"

Yes
Oh.

Yep. 12th/13th century Welch, though they were written down a couple of centuries later.

I think that the bits I was assigned weren't of the original Mabinogi. I think I was assigned "Culhwch ac Olwen"? And maybe one other story?

We read more of Early Irish Myths and Sagas than we did of The Mabinogion

Kathy wrote: "Margaret wrote: "The mabinogian is Welsh, right?"

Yes
Oh."

Ah! Okay, now I'm caught up. I got a bit mixed upsince I read portions of the Mabinogion and the Early Irish Myths at the same time...

Eventually, I'd like to read all of it. I've only read bits.

Melanti wrote: "Leah wrote: "Interesting. That's how it's shelved at our library. Along with the others in the series. ..."

I wouldn't classify it as YA either. My local libraries both shelve it in the adult sect..."

Daughter of the Forest is more of a coming of age story, starting with the leading character as a child and when the book finishes she's in her 20s. The next book in the series Son of the Shadows, which I haven't read yet, is about her children, her daughter I think. This series, set in Ireland, definitely fits in with our theme. Because we already read the first book in this group, perhaps We can set up a buddy read for the series. Would anyone else be interested in this?
I looked up other books by Juliet Marillier to nominate, but it seems her Sevenwaters series is the only one taking place in Ireland.

I've wanted to read both Yeats, as well as The King of Elfland's Daughter for sometime now, so I don't have anything else to nominate for now.
If anyone has already nominated their 3 books, but wants to nominate something else just let me know.
I am in beautiful but freezing San Francisco now!

There's so many books in this thread that I'd be willing to do a buddy read of!

I just need to make sure I have the time to read before committing to any of them.

Melanti wrote: "There's so many books in this thread that I'd be willing to do a buddy read of!

I just need to make sure I have the time to read before committing to any of them."

The truth for me also.
We might need more than one month for this theme.

OK, I would like to nominate Too Long A Sacrificeby Mildred Downey Broxon in the adult retelling category. There's lots of Irish folklore. It's dual period. It involves ancient Ireland and the Troubles in 1970. I found it very powerful. It's the best book set in Ireland that I've ever read. I read it so long ago that I would be willing to re-read it.

I also doubt I'll have time for a buddy ready until after March. I have some research reading I have to do, which will cut into my for-fun reading. I'm still planning on participating in the groups reads, but adding a buddy read would be too much for me.

But I could always join in late!

I'm researching Irish folktales for my next book and have already bought Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by WB Yeats, Favourite Irish Folk Stories: Celtic Folklore, Mythology and Fairy Tales for All Ages by Clare O'Brien, and Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs (which includes more than Irish tales). I'm happy to go with any collection that others might suggest. I'm reading broadly to get inspiration.

Regarding the adult or YA title, I'm not sure if this one qualifies, but I'm about to read it too: Reluctantly Charmed by Ellie O'Neill which is described as containing "a passionate plea to reconnect with the long-forgotten fairies of Irish folklore". Although the main character is 26, one reviewer describes it as the most YA 'adult' book she's ever read.

With modern retellings, how creative can they be? Do they need to stick pretty closely to the elements of the original tale or can they play with them as part of a modern story?

Virginia wrote: "Regarding the adult or YA title, I'm not sure if this one qualifies, but I'm about to read it too: Reluctantly Charmed by Ellie O'Neill which is described as containing "a passionate plea to reconnect with the long-forgotten fairies of Irish folklore". Although the main character is 26, one reviewer describes it as the most YA 'adult' book she's ever read. "

That book looks good, and seems to be about Irish folklore. It looks more adult to me. Maybe you can nominate it for adult?

I definitely think modern retellings can play with the original tale! Some of my favorite retellings don't even try to stick to an original story, but weave in elements from multiple stories.

Margaret wrote: "Virginia wrote: "Regarding the adult or YA title, I'm not sure if this one qualifies, but I'm about to read it too: Reluctantly Charmed by Ellie O'Neill which is described as containing "a passiona..."

Thanks Margaret, I like stories that play with the tales in creative ways. It can take a story to unexpected places.

I'm really in the mood to read something by Juliet Marillier. I did a little reading up and found out that her Blacktorn and Grim series is also set in Medieval Ireland, so I'd like to nominate the first book in the series:
Dreamer's Pool
I feel kind of bad doing so, because it's labelled as adult and there are already many good nominations in that category! I was actually looking for another YA. There's another book of hers that looks like it might be set in Ireland and might be YA The Dark Mirror. Does anyone know? If so I'll nominate it too.
It just seems like there ought to be something from Juliet Marillier!

I love Juliet Marillier! Although I wouldn't classify her stories as YA, they are truly well done. She is one of those authors that could be classified YA or adult -- she does have some adult themes in her stories, but they are not too graphic (at least I don't remember them as such) that I would be comfortable with older YA readers enjoying them.

I would be willing to reread any of her books -- and most do have an Irish theme to them.

Last call for nominations!
The polls should go up late tonight or tomorrow.

Original tales:
"The Priest's Soul", from the collection Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W.B. Yeats.
"The Children of Lir" from Lady Gregory's Complete Irish Mythology.
The Táin: From the Irish epic Táin Bó Cúailnge
The Celtic Twilight: Faerie and Folklore by W.B. Yeats


Adult:
Song of Ireland by Juilene Osborne-McKnight
Red Branch by Morgan Llywelyn
Hounded by Kevin Hearne
The King of Elfland's Daughter by Lord Dunsany
Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy (Anthology)
Too Long A Sacrifice by Mildred Downey Broxon
Dreamer's Pool by Juliet Marillier

YA:
Impossible by Nancy Werlin
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
The Druid's Tune by O.R. Melling
The New Policeman by Kate Thompson
Reluctantly Charmed by Ellie O'Neill

Jalilah wrote: Daughter of the Forest is more of a coming of age story, starting with the leading character as a child and when the book finishes she's in her 20s. The next book in the series Son of the Shadows, which I haven't read yet, is about her children, her daughter I think. This series, set in Ireland, definitely fits in with our theme. Because we already read the first book in this group, perhaps We can set up a buddy read for the series. Would anyone else be interested in this?

I would participate in a buddy read for Daughter of the Forest, but I'm not ready for the later books in the series yet as I still haven't read the first one. I wasn't sure whether you were asking about a buddy read for the second book or the whole series. If I end up reading Daughter of the Forest on my own maybe I'll check out the old discussion threads from when it was a group read. :)

Lacey wrote: "I would participate in a buddy read for Daughter of the Forest, but I'm not ready for the later books in the series yet as I still haven't read the first one. I wasn't sure whether you were asking about a buddy read for the second book or the whole series. If I end up reading Daughter of the Forest on my own maybe I'll check out the old discussion threads from when it was a group read. :)

Because Leah had nominated the first book, Daughter of the Forest and I'd already read it and wanted to read the second, my idea was to set up a folder for the series with a thread for each book. That is if enough members are interested.