The Swan Maiden

The Swan Maiden is a novel based on the Irish legend of "Deirdre of the Sorrows", written by J.M. Synge. When Deirdre was a babe, the druid Cathbad prophesied that she would grow into a great beauty and bring about the downfall of their land. Ignoring requests that the babe be killed, the King of the Ulaids, Conor decides to hide the child with plans to marry her when she becomes of age. Conor enlists the help of Levercham, who teaches Dierdre the ways of the Druids. Attempts to dissuade Conor from his mission of marrying Deirdre fail time and again, much to Levercham's dismay. When Dierdre hears of this, she can no longer wait around, being fattened up like a pig for the day when Conor comes to collect her. She runs away and crosses show more paths with three brothers, Red Branch soldiers famous for their fighting skills, and they decide to help her. When Conor hears that Deirdre has fled and who she is with, he is beyond furious and pulls no stops to get her back. Naisi and Deirdre eventually fall in love and despite the brothers' aching for home and their fellow Red Branch soldiers, they find a place of their own and settle in (for a while at least). They are found and persuaded home with the promises of forgiveness, only to be betrayed by their King, again. The rest you should read for yourself, I don't want to give it all away!

I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!! See, I even put three exclamation points after that sentence, just to make sure you grasp the emotion! Ha!

What I really enjoyed about The Swan Maiden was the way Jules writes about the connection with nature and animals that Deirdre feels. She describes scenes and it's like you're there (or at least you really, really want to be). I could even stomach the hunting scenes which I usually skim over. So many descriptive words come to mind when I think about this book - mythical, surreal, spiritual, magical, echanting. And the love between Deirdre and Naisi...aaahhh pure magic....the connection they have with each other is so powerful and Jules writes it so well!!

Readers you are in for a treat with this one, you will not want to put it down! Thanks to Jules Watson for sharing such a wonderful story with me, one that I'll remember for a long time! show less

The Swan Maiden by Jules Watson is the gripping, beautiful retelling of an old Irish legend. The story of Deirdre is the story of a child of prophecy. Connor, the King of Ulaid (Ulster) has her raised far from others with one purpose in mind, to eventually wed her and make her his queen. Far from wanting this for her future, she looks for an escape and with the help of three warrior brothers flees to a place they thought was safe. No one realized the obsession that Connor felt for this girl, or that he would spare no one who stood in the way of making her his.

Realizing that the king would never give up, the three brothers and Deirdre leave Erin and flee to an isolated location in Alba (Great Britain). Although his original intention in show more helping Deirdre was simply courtesy and honour, the elder brother, Naisi and Deirdre fall in love. But Naisi and Deirdre are not to be left alone to have a life of peace together, again and again, men who see her want to claim her as their own.

Both mystical and poetic, The Swan Maiden is a hauntingly, beautiful retelling of the legend as the author blends facts and fantasy together to create this sweeping historical epic. show less

Swan Maiden is an amazing book that evokes the deepest and most profound magic we know lie deep inside us. It explores the depts of the legend and turns it into an unforgettable tale of Deirdre and her beloved Naisi, as they struggle against the king, Conor, in order to be together and live happily for the rest of their lives.
In the book all of the characters are faced with the magical power that Deirdre gives off and her mere presence makes them conscience of all of their human flaws. They are amplified and made into something ugly by the sheer power Deirdre emanates from her being, which in turn makes the characters feel as if she is the sole cause of the very evil that threatens their kingdom, when in fact she is nothing but a mere show more girl who desires nothing but freedom.
The book itself is an evolution from the mere fairytale description and soon it evokes the strength and power a women can have, as well as the latent sexuality that clearly shows as the character develops her feelings for Naisi.
It is a lovely book, but I found that the portuguese translation makes the description sound redundant and confusing, because the author tries to evoke so many feelings at once it ends up being overwhelming to the reader, but as I said this was noted in the portuguese version I can't say the same happens in the original.
All in all I give the story 4,5 stars, especially for that magical and tragic ending. show less

This book has left quite a lasting impression on me.

I still haven't forgotten the night I stayed up for several hours to finish it, and cried as quietly as I could so that I wouldn't wake my sister up. The love story between Deidre and Naisi is beautiful. That's all I can really describe it as. It wasn't a perfect one by any means, but that's why I think I loved it so much. The story was so full of magic and beauty that I just can't shake it, even after a few years of reading it. I can still remember vivid scenes and details. Naisi has actually inspired one of my own characters, a lot more than I have realized until recently. The book was wonderfully written and I definitely recommend it if you like a sincere and deep love story.

Deirdre is cursed before she even leaves the womb. Her beauty is foretold to bring ruin to Ulster and it's king, Conor. Ignoring the pleas to banish her, he allows her to live, saving her for his eyes only. Raised by a childless couple and a Druid, she soon realizes that she is meant to be one of Conor's possessions. Hearing that his first wife, Maeve left him, Deirdre decides to do the same after crossing paths with three warrior brothers. Sworn to protect the kingdom, the Red Branch Warriors reluctantly take Deirdre in. Naisi, the eldest brother who is despised by Conor for his prowess, decides that the four must leave Erin and seek refuge elsewhere. They travel across the waters to an enemy kingdom, hoping to life a quiet, peaceful show more life. Soon the brothers are warriors again, fighting for the enemy king. News of Deirdre's beauty and wildness spreads to the ears of the king, who covets her for his own. Deirdre and Naisi have fallen in love, though neither understands the other. When Conor finds Deirdre and the brothers, he allows them to come home under the banner of forgiveness. But Conor is unable to let go of such beauty and demands that Naisi give Deirdre back.
This retelling of ancient Celtic myth is gorgeous. Deirdre, a druid trained woman, is a wonderful heroine. She leaves her safe and happy home for a free and simple life. But simple isn't always possible, especially when you're in love with an ambitious warrior who always wins. Though the two are a perfect match, their love isn't always perfect.
This book features gorgeous writing that seems to flow like Erin's streams. Watson makes you feel the connection with nature and the steel of Red Branch blades.
This is a book that I highly recommend!! show less

Disappointing for me, I was hoping for something akin to Juliet Marillier but it lacked the warmth in the characterisation. I couldn't empathise with Deirdre or Naisi, which made it a difficult read. I could appreciate the re-telling of the Celtic myth, and Watson's skill as writer - so perhaps this book just wasn't for me.

1.5

I didnt know this was based on a legend.

Some retellings try to add something new but this just repeats the original story,albeit with different characters viewpoints and fleshing out of the story a bit.

But its done in a very boring way and the story is depressing.

I couldnt bring myself to take an emotional interest in any of the characters. Ended up skimming through the rest of it. Serious letdown.