Irish folklore

Azura_Cat · Post by **Azura_Cat** » 18 Mar 2020, 00:34

I thoroughly enjoy reading about unique folklore and myths in stories that I choose. I rarely go out of my way to look up such stories about different cultures unless I have been introduced to them in novels that I am currently reading. As such, I have learned a few Irish myths before, but learning new ones just increases my interest in novels that choose to include them to enrich the story.

Kristy Khem · Post by **Kristy Khem** » 18 Mar 2020, 01:58

I love books that include a bit of folklore and supernatural elements in them! I don't know of many Irish folktales so it was a real treat for me in this book. Reading about the famine was shocking and sad.

Jorge Leon Salazar · Post by **Jorge Leon Salazar** » 18 Mar 2020, 08:56

Ireland is very interesting from the point of view of its folklore and in terms of literature, it has great representatives. The author mixes the mysteries of the plot with hints of descriptions and Irish history.

Laurina Michael Olowoniran · 18 Mar 2020, 11:52

Before reading the book, I knew nothing of Irish history or folklore. It's quite interesting for me to read about such because I had always thought only Africans have intriguing folklores.

Carolreads30 · Post by **Carolreads30** » 18 Mar 2020, 16:16

The ghost stories added an element to the story for me as I was not aware that ghost stories were a part of Irish history. I feel as though the white dolls needed to be explained a little more as I have no idea if they truly are a part of Irish history or not. I am assuming that they are such they were such an important piece of the mystery.

Tavaiel26 · Post by **Tavaiel26** » 19 Mar 2020, 11:50

What I know from Irish culture and literature comes mainly from reading The Dubliners, by James Joyce, history podcasts and folk tales in general. (the tales of Cú Chulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill come to mind)
I've started this book recently and can't wait to see the things I know of reflected in the plot and setting. Hillary seems like a good conduit to go through them!

Giga51087 · Post by **Giga51087** » 19 Mar 2020, 13:15

Well I always liked Irish folklore and music. Their tales and epic sagas are good company for the heartfire. The mithology is rich and deep. They took a very important part of it from the Celtic traditions. We can keep making piles, and piles of books abaut them. From adult themes to child books, you can make every thing that you like to do. But you must respect them they afther all part of our cultural heritage.
What I donth like is the thendency for the melancholia. Their trend to become depressive from time to time it´s a pain. Also with the resurgence of Celtic culture many liars have appeared seeking to modify the original myths with blatant commercial motives. They were good as they were.

Songjohn007 · Post by **Songjohn007** » 19 Mar 2020, 16:09

I love the history, but the historical events in this book which talk about the Irish folks ,I have no much idea not until I read more books about the Ireland.

Katherine Smith · Post by **Katherine Smith** » 19 Mar 2020, 17:19

I knew a little bit about Irish history mostly through history classes in school as they related to the migration in the early 1900s. I liked that the Claddagh rings were in the story because I knew a little about their cultural importance. I also liked the ghost stories that were included in the book as well. I am glad that Bridget called the famine of Ireland the Great Hunger because it truly represents the hardships that the people went through.

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes · Post by **ReyvrexQuestor Reyes** » 19 Mar 2020, 21:54

The inclusion of some of the myths, or of the recorded disasters that struck the country serves well to give a bit of historicity to the novel. It would be to the credit of Gillam that the chronology of these events are in order.

ReyvrexQuestor Reyes · Post by **ReyvrexQuestor Reyes** » 19 Mar 2020, 21:55

The inclusion of some of the myths, or of the recorded disasters that struck the country serves well to give a bit of historicity to the novel. It would be to the credit of Gillam that the chronology of these events are in order.

TopaAzul062 · Post by **TopaAzul062** » 19 Mar 2020, 22:42

I got curious while reading and decided to look up the Great Hunger/Famine. From there, I did a search on potato blight (seeing the pictures of the infected potato aren't pleasant either) which was said to be responsible for the poor crops of the time. That said, one of the scenes that caught my attention was when Hillary said she saw a female figure walk through the trees.

Not sure why but an episode from Midsomer Murders came to mind. The episode revolved around sightings of a female figure that was seen crossing the road repeatedly. After some research, they learn that she was part of the towns history that not many wanted details of the history to get out.

I found myself reading through quite a bit of online articles on various history items for Ireland.

Gifted Soul · Post by **Gifted Soul** » 20 Mar 2020, 04:48

It was also quite admirable that the author used the ghost stories to develop suspense in the story. In essence, the author managed to bring forth intertextuality by creating harmony between characterization and a stylistic device.

leiabutler · Post by **leiabutler** » 20 Mar 2020, 10:56

I knew nothing of Irish folklore before reading so reading was super cool, especially the ghost stories! I am enticed by that awesome culture so would check more out again! I loved the book offered me a learning opportunity. I personally don't often get the chance to learn so much from an individual reading experience so this was awesome.