Hound
George Green
Random House
Paperback, R95.00
Reviewed by Gail Jamieson, 10 March 2005
The novel is the story of Cuchullain, the Hound of Ulster, set in Ireland
around two thousand years ago. Narrated by Leary, the charioteer, it tells
the story of two boys who grow to be men in violent court of King Connor, one
of the Kings in Ireland at that time.
The first, named Setana and whose origin is a mystery, joins the Boys Troop
by taking them all on at once in a fight and in so doing gains the respect of
Fergus who is their trainer and mentor.
The second, Leary, tells the tale of how Setana becomes Cuchullain, when he
kills Cullain's dog and offers to take its place thus becoming Cullain's hound -
Cuchullian.
He is a very strong, talented fighter and matures to become Ireland's
finest warrior in a very violent period of history. Leary tells us that the
fiercest enemies quake when they know that Cuchullain will be on the field of
battle.
Intermingled with his tale and in fact with his final fate is the tale of
how a country was brought to war with itself over the quarrel between Queen
Maeve and her King, Ailell. Cuchullain turns the tide in the battle with the
armies of Queen Maeve and so passes into myth and history.
This retelling of an ancient Celtic tale combines myth and ancient history
woven together to tell the story of a remarkable man and warrior.
Recommended.
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