by Anonymous
First published 1982
Cu Chulainn stands ready for battle in a world where divine beings cross freely between realms and warriors live by codes of honor that demand everything. These ancient Irish tales transport readers to the eighth century, when scribes first recorded stories from an even older oral tradition. The great Celtic hero faces impossible odds in combat while navigating a landscape thick with magic and supernatural forces. In "The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu," betrayal tears apart bonds of loyalty as love collides with political necessity. Warriors must choose between personal desire and tribal obligation. Gods intervene in human affairs while mortals venture into otherworldly territories. Each story pulses with the fierce emotions and brutal realities of a society built on warfare, kinship, and sacred oaths. These tales capture the raw intensity of a culture where heroism comes at the highest cost.
Genres: irish-literature, historical-fiction, fantasy, ancient
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: epic-hero, supernatural-forces
Setting: Ireland
Period: 8th Century
288 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics