Helpful Score: 2
This book was originally written in Irish, and the translators tried to keep as much of the flavor of the language as possible. They admit that a lot is lost in the translation. The story itself was interesting enough, but the language is what makes or breaks the book as a whole. If you want to catch the rhythm and speech patterns of the Irish language, you will probably enjoy this book. A lot of Gaelic terms are left in, with a footnote of their translation the first time we encounter it. If it bothers you that every single time someone speaks, they begin with, "The devil to you," or that a five-year-old says phrases like, "Let it be so," you will probably not enjoy this book. Getting through the phrasing makes this slim book a bit of a heavy read, but an interest in Irish history and language make it worth the time.
This book was originally written in Irish, and the translators tried to keep as much of the flavor of the language as possible. They admit that a lot is lost in the translation. The story itself was interesting enough, but the language is what makes or breaks the book as a whole. If you want to catch the rhythm and speech patterns of the Irish language, you will probably enjoy this book. A lot of Gaelic terms are left in, with a footnote of their translation the first time we encounter it. If it bothers you that every single time someone speaks, they begin with, "The devil to you," or that a five-year-old says phrases like, "Let it be so," you will probably not enjoy this book. Getting through the phrasing makes this slim book a bit of a heavy read, but an interest in Irish history and language make it worth the time.
