THE SWAN MAIDEN

Author: Jules Watson ISBN: 9780553384642 3/2009 HISTORICA Publisher: BANTAM
Time Period: Irish Legend

In this lush, romantic retelling of one of the most enduring Irish legends, acclaimed Celtic historical author Jules Watson reignites the tale of Deirdre—the Irish Helen of Troy—in a story that is at once magical, beautiful, and tragic. She was born with a blessing and a curse: that she would grow into a woman of extraordinary beauty—and bring ruin to the kingdom of Ulster and its ruler, the wily Conor. Ignoring the pleadings of his druid to expel the infant, King Conor secrets the girl child with a poor couple in his province, where no man can covet her. There, under the tutelage of a shamaness, Deirdre comes of age in nature and magic…. And in the season of her awakening, the king is inexorably drawn to her impossible beauty. But for Deirdre, her fate as a man’s possession is worse than death. And soon the green-eyed girl, at home in waterfall and woods, finds herself at the side of three rebellious young warriors. Among them is the handsome Naisi. His heart charged with bitterness toward the aging king, and growing in love for the defiant girl, Naisi will lead Deirdre far from Ulster—and into a war of wits, swords, and spirit that will take a lifetime to wage. Brimming with life and its lusts, here is a soaring tale of enchantment and eternal passions—and of a woman who became legend.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Jules Watson's THE SWAN MAIDEN is one of those stories that, once read, is never forgotten. I had never heard of the Irish legendary tale of Deirdre, but after a few paragraphs I was completely lost in the beautiful, tragic tale.

A woman destined from birth to have an impact on the man who saves her from death, as well as those he rules, seemed almost doomed by her own beauty. Raised in a simple hut with foster parents and her druid teacher, this enchanting, magical lass has no idea of her own beauty. The teacher is smart enough to shelter Deirdre from her own good looks, as well as her fate as the king's plaything, until the very last moment.

There are so many amazing facets to this version of the legend, but the bit that touched me most was the relationship between Deirdre and her teacher, Levarcham. Levarcham knows her duty to the king, but loves the young woman she's helped raised like a daughter. There are all the dynamics of the mother/daughter relationship between these two. It is nearly heartbreaking to realize how deeply Levarcham loves Deirdre, how much sacrificing her will would wound the older druid.

This is an enchanting story, one that will haunt readers long after the last page has been turned.

Kay James