There’s something special about seeing another writer hit his stride with a really great book. A couple weeks ago I finished The Spirit of Cahir Mullach by Clayton Callahan. I loved the “voice” of this book and though I rarely (never) read books aloud, I couldn’t resist the occasional urge to don my improbable Irish accent and enjoy the sound of this tale.
Why did I “hear” this tale in my head…?
Clayton is a natural storyteller from the oral tradition. I’ll let him tell you about the inspiration for his book:
I have always had a deep fascination with history, culture, and people in general. It was that interest that led me to join a peculiar organization called the Society for Creative Anachronism when I was but a lad of seventeen. While other high school guys were perfecting their mullet (it was the 80’s), I was finishing work on my leather and chainmail armor for the upcoming tournament.
The SCA was a medieval extravaganza, complete with dancing, sword fighting, food, brews, music, and storytelling. Truth be told…I wasn’t too good at the dancing or the sword fighting. However, at storytelling, I can boast some talent. I’d pour through the public library for folk tales, mythology, and legends suitable for a fireside performance and worked hard to bring them to life before an audience of inebriated Vikings/college students.
One of the marvelous tales I discovered was The Great Mr. Berry of Cahir Tyrone. The traditional folktale is much the same as the book. However, since it blatantly takes place after the Middle Ages ended, I never was able to use it in the SCA.
Fortunately, a good tale is never forgotten, and now twenty-odd years later, I’ve given it another crack.
The Story:
The story starts in the Irish town of Baile with a fireside recounting of the time Lord Oisin defended the village against Viking raiders who attempted to abscond with his cows. As the legend goes, Oisin’s spirit still dwells within the ruins of his great castle, Cahir Mullach.
It’s now the end of the Revolutionary War in America, and thousands of redcoats return to Ireland in defeat, Michael Snodgrass among them. He marches across Ireland, a trek that takes him through Baile, where Mr. Terry plans to sell his cows, evict his tenants, and raise sheep.
Mr. Terry’s also the billetmaster, and he sends poor Michael to be quartered in the ruins of Cahir Mullach. The king’s law is clear that any subject must make welcome a soldier who holds an official billet in hand… and that includes a subject now eight hundred years dead.
My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for a whole bunch of reasons. Despite being a work of fiction, it’s well-researched and sprinkled with details that bring authenticity to both of the book’s settings – America at the end of the Revolutionary War and the rural Irish village of Baile.
The point of view is shared by a number of wonderfully rounded characters with distinct voices and personalities. Relationships feel genuine and are recognizable to anyone living in a small community where differences are dealt with peaceably and according to custom. The story has a load of warm humor amongst some darker moments. Beyond the tragedy of war, there’s minimal violence, just ordinary villagers going about their day and experiencing extraordinary events.
The main character Michael Snodgrass carries most of the story. It was interesting reading about the Revolutionary War from the point of view of an Irish redcoat who had no stake in the conflict other than to stay alive. Michael has a true heart and guileless nature that’s endearing.
What I loved best about the story, and where Callahan truly shines, is in the authentic voices of the narration and characters. I read many parts of this story aloud just to bask in the lilt of the language.
The souls of his shoes were so worn that every chunk of gravel in the road seemed to take time out of its busy day to introduce itself personally to the feet of one Corporal Snodgrass.
Granny Collins had been laying out gifts of buttered leeks, biscuits, and milk by a hole in the old castle wall for the “good folk” of the hill. And kind as the father was, she’d no intention of abusing his good graces with her less than Catholic ways. But Christian or no, it was always best to be on the good side of fairies, lest children start coming up missing in the town.
The first chapter of the book is a long one and recounts the tale of Cahir Mullach in a more stylized voice. After that, the book transitions to the “modern” 18th century and the pace picks up. The book suffered from poor editing, but that appears to have been corrected by the author.
A delightful read that I recommend to all ages, and particularly to those who love myths, legends, and tales full of personality.
***
A final note: Clayton has written across several genres. Though he writes primarily space opera, he also has a historical spy novel and non-fiction book: Armed Professions: A Writer’s Guide that I’ve referred to many times.
Myths of the Mirror 
Pleased to “meet” you, Clayton! More often than not, it was those of us playing D&D (and the like) back in the eighties — before geek culture went mainstream — that went on to be the storytellers of the new millennium! It just took thirty years for the social ostracism we endured to pay off!
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Thanks for the visit, Sean. I agree that gaming is connected to storytelling in a big way. Clayton is also a (I can’t remember the name for it) a RPG designer and game “master.” Writing was a natural next step combining his gaming and oral storytelling skills. Thanks for the visit, and Happy Writing!
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Good review, Diana. Clayton’s book sounds like an interesting and entertaining read. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It is a fun one, Suzanne. Great characters and a well-crafted story. Thanks so much for stopping by to take a peek. 🙂
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I really enjoyed this story. The characters are so vivid and the tale magical. Nice job, Clayton.
If I have an off colored remark, it would be Puce.
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Thanks for visiting, Sheron. I think this is my favorite of Clayton’s books. I so enjoyed it. I hope he does more of these. Have a great day and stay dry!
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Great post, Diana! Love that Clayton has cultivated his storytelling; there’s something so magical about listening to a good storyteller. And reading that lilt in print–yes, reading it out loud is almost a requirement just to hear the rhythm of the piece. Good luck with the book, Clayton!
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Thanks for stopping by to read, Julie. I was excited about this book since I don’t remember reading anything quite like it before. I could definitely hear the storyteller behind it. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
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Thank you!
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Ah! Good storytelling is the best beginning to putting paper to pen. Great post, Diana
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Thanks, Jennie. I agree. The really fun thing about this was how strongly I “heard” the story. I could imagine sitting by the fire in a pub with my tankard and hearing a storyteller share the tale. And you know how wonderful “reading aloud” is for the listener. 🙂
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Yes! I can picture just that. No different than reading aloud. And of course the spark to write it. 🙂
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I do my best 🙂
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Voice is so important for all writing . Nice share.💕
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Thank you. Voice is important and this one was worthy of a little raving. Happy Weekend. 🙂
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Ditto!!
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you for sharing, Michael. Much appreciated. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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Thank you for posting. Have a wonderful weekend too. Michael
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Thanks!
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Diana, your review is so intriguing that I added the book to my TBR without giving it a second thought! Well… that I fancy myself a medieval knight might have exerted a little influence 🙂 ❤
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Hee hee. A medieval knight? How interesting! I hope you enjoy this Tina. It’s such an entertaining tale and well put together with wonderful characters. Thanks for stopping by to read and have a great weekend. 🙂
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I hope you enjoy it.
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As always, amazing post, Diana! As I mentioned many times, this type of getting-inside-an-author’s-head really fascinates me and each one is so different and unique it never feels like a repeat.
Your intro made me laugh too, because I do that on occasion. Certain characters/passages just ask to be read aloud!
Glad you loved it so much and that the editing was fixed 🙂
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Thanks, Sophie. I wouldn’t be able to do this if I posted more reviews, but for my occasional reviews, I do enjoy having a “conversation” with the author. I love browsing around in their brains. Ha ha. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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Another brilliant feature and review, Diana! I enjoyed the excerpt you shared. The book certainly promises to be a fascinating read with historical and cultural elements, and the use of language. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for stopping by, Khaya. It is a well put together read with lots going for it. Stay warm, my friend, and have a lovely weekend. 🙂
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Since my very childhood I have a fascination for mythological legends. This book sounds like my cup of tea. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
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You’re so welcome. It’s an entertaining book, and a light, fast read. I hope if you give it a whirl, you enjoy it. 🙂 Thanks for the visit and comment!
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I certainly hope it doesn’t disappoint. 🙂
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After reading the excerpts, I see what you mean about needing to read it out loud. But if I tried it with an Irish accent, I’d first make sure no one was home to hear it.
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The whole book is like that, Teri. I didn’t read the it all aloud, but quite a bit. And no one was home. Ha ha. Thanks for the visit and Happy Reading. 🙂
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I love the way you describe Clayton’s book. There’s a big difference between telling a story and being a storyteller. I often read the former and rarely the latter. This book sounds excellent BUT I have never read a space opera. I’m going to check that out. Is there one you’d recommend, Clayton, that I start with?
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I’ve read Clayton’s space operas too, Jacqui, and they’re fun. I’ll let him recommend one, but I can’t help adding my two cents. I think Crazy Liddy is a fun one. 🙂
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Well, if you’d like to read a work by a master of science fiction, I recommend The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. The man was a master of language and it flows like sundrops across a guided sky. As for my stuff, if you like strong interpersonal tales I wrote a book called Tales of The Screaming Eagle you might enjoy.
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[…] Writing from the Oral Tradition: Guest Post with Clayton Callahan […]
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Thanks so much for sharing the post. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😀
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Your recommendation is compelling, Diana. It is not an easy task to create characters with distinct personalities. Sounds like Clayton has done a stellar job of that, along with spinning a good tale. Loved the passage in this post. The humor came through and I’m always up for that.
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Thank you!
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There is a lot of humor in this, Molly, but it’s the kind of natural humor of people who don’t realize that they’re funny. Does that make sense? There are also plenty of touching moments. Thanks so much for stopping by to check out the review. 🙂
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That makes perfect sense, Diana. Sound like a nice balance of humor and heart.
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Sounds like a book worth reading…I trust your recommendations Diana. Thanks for sharing. Wishing great success to Clayton.
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My thanks!
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Thanks, Balroop. I think you might enjoy it. It’s different from most books I’ve read and great fun. As a poet I think you’ll like the lilt of the language. Happy Reading!
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Well, I’ll definitely be reading a book of Clayton Callahan! He had me at ‘Society for Creative Anachronism’ I have been to many a revel and feast myself. Lol! But, I will also always read a book by anyone who seems passionate about their subject!
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The SCA was good times for me. After all, it’s where I met my wife. Had to leave when I started working weekends and I’ve missed it.
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Now I really want to go to a festival. I’ve never been, Nicole, and it sounds like tons of fun. I got a kick out of this book, for sure. Did you go to the SCA as a character, a visitor, or an inebriated Viking/college student?
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Ha ha!! All of the above?? Kidding. 😉 I was actually a member with my ex in my younger years! Adulting sadly got in the way of that… But, I still have my dresses and my sheet music from our twelfth night feast that we used to have every year. Lol! It was a great time!
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Wow. That is so cool. Well, after you’re done adulting… You know… the whole 2nd childhood thing. We have these festivals out here in Oregon. Now, I have to go for a visit at least. 🙂
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You really should! Everyone used to be REALLY nice when I would go. They are very accepting and helpful even if you’re not a member.. Or, they used to be. So, fingers crossed! I’m sure you’ll have a great time!!
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Lovely feature Diana. I love historical novels too.
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Thanks for reading, Arlene. The historical elements of these are well done though the story is more legend than fact. 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your week. 🙂
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I can hear you reading it Diana! xx
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Thanks, Lynn. I read it aloud on my treadmill wearing my pajamas. Ha ha. Fortunately no one was home. 🙂 Thanks for the visit, my friend. ❤
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It’s always nice to learn new things while reading historical fiction. This sounds like a good one.
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It’s more “fantastical” than historical, Carrie, but Clayton definitely tried to make the historical world accurate with his details. A fun quick read. Thanks for stopping by!
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Well, I certainly hope you like it 🙂 I used to be a reenactor and I used that experience as much as possible. And thank you.
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I don’t know why, but I have a fascination with long-ago Ireland. I think it was an old movie I saw as a child, with a beautiful young woman making friends with the fairy folk. Your review of this book brought me back to that fascination. I’m so glad you included some of the author’s writing here too, which helped me understand your love of his use of the language, and why you wanted to read it out loud. Lastly, being from USA, I always hear the stories of the American soldiers during the Revolution – it would be interesting to read an entirely different perspective.
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It was a quick read and the lilt of the language was so fun, Pam. Not many fairy folk in this, but a number of ghosts. The account of Snodgrass in the American Revolution was great – poignant and pointless in terms of his impact on the war. And great details without getting bogged down. Thanks so much for stopping by to read. 🙂
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Thank you, I also have always been fascinated with my Irish ancestry. I suppose if I’d been born of Japanese descent I’d write a different book altogether. Perhaps I’ll give that a stab…after some research.
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It sounds interesting. I love traditional story telling.
I think I’d also love to be in a creative anachronist group. Medieval, please!
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Ha ha. Me too – on both counts. I think I’d want to be an old fortune teller with a handful of knuckle bones, and a long staff with a crow perched on top. 🙂 I’ll skip getting hammered on by wooden swords. Care to share your character?
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You would make a great “wise woman,” Diana. I portrayed an Irish sailor of the late middle ages. It was my excuse for being able to tell tales from other cultures.
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I’d like to be the village’s wise woman/witch. I’d have a little cottage with a hearth where I’d brew potions. I’d know everything about plants and what they do. Of course there is always the danger of getting burned, ha ha. But if I was a village witch in Greece, there would be no such danger. I’d be needed, respected – and feared. Who needs more?
I’d also like to be an archer. I’ll definitely try archery given the chance.
And, finally, I’d try hawking. I read once in an article that there is a place somewhere in Germany (can’t remember where exactly) where they train hawks and people can go learn. I wouldn’t like to go actually hunting, though. But I’d love to see what it’s like to bond with this beautiful bird.
I’m not asking for much, am I?
Oh, and I wouldn’t mind being a lady in a royal court, and having poetry composed on my beauty and unattainability.
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Ha ha. Well, I think you are probably already a wise woman, Basilike. And when you move to Germany, you can learn to shoot a bow and at least visit with a hawk. Why not? ❤
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I’m definitely going to try! As for being a wise woman, I’m not sure I have reached that point yet, but I am trying. It makes no sense growing up without getting wiser.
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The Society for Creative Anachronism has chapters worldwide. If you’re into medieval culture, I highly recommend checking ’em out. After all, it’s where I met my wife!
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Thank you! I doubt they are also in Greece, but I’ll be moving to Germany soon. I may find them there.
Meeting your wife there must have been a lot of fun, apart from the romance!
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This sounds very intriguing. The story sounds great and the snippet you chose to share, coupled with your review, has me wanting to read more. I’m off to check out the Amazon link now. Best wishes to Clayton with his release!
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Thanks for stopping by, Mae. I zipped through this book, and the language was just wonderful. If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it!
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Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy the book.
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Diana, I got a kick out of the way you described our reactions to this book. You and Clayton made this a fun joint post. Best to him with the book. Hugs all around.
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Thanks for the visit, Teagan. It was a delightful read, and not something I would ordinarily pick up. I just loved the voices, and Clayton’s background was interesting to me. Happy Writing!
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Great review Diana. It sounds like an enjoyable read. i love a book that details ‘truth’ with myths, specially in the land of the fairy folk. i’ve been fascinated with them for a very long time.
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Thanks for stopping by to check out the review, Jina. It is a delightful book – a great combination of legend and truth. 🙂 Have a lovely day, my friend.
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Awww
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[…] via Writing from the Oral Tradition: Guest Post with Clayton Callahan […]
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Once again Diana you review in such a way that I had to hit the Amazon link to take a look. To be honest I nearly didn’t bother as the review comments on lack of editing put me off; but I took a ‘look inside’ and simply couldn’t stop reading until the words ran out … timeless story telling … and so, another book to read!
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I think most of the spelling/grammar issues have been corrected. I found it pretty clean overall. The book picks up speed and gets even better as you read onward. I hope you enjoy it. I found it highly entertaining or I wouldn’t have shared it. 🙂 Happy Reading!
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Thank you so much!
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Happy New Year to you, Diana. 🙂
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Thank you, Celestine. So glad to see you. I wish you much joy and creative abundance in the new year. 🙂
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Lovely to meet Clayton, Diana, and learn about his book. Your review is excellent, I love historical novels.
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This one has many historical elements with a good helping of myth and fiction, Robbie. It was a fun, quick read. Thanks for stopping by to check it out! Happy Writing!
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Back at you.
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Thanks, I read a lot of history. I’ve always been that kind of geek.
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Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie.
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Thanks so much for the reblog, Penney. Much appreciated. 😀
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Thanks!
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Sounds like an awesome read! And I love it when a book makes you want to read it aloud, I do it quite often myself. 😉
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Hi Sarah. I read poetry aloud now and then, but almost never books (unless reading to someone else). This book made me want to do that, without a doubt. 😀
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For me, that’s a Ray Bradbury book. He was a true master of language.
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Hello, Clayton Callahan here. If anybody has any questions comments or off-color remarks, I’m happy to hear them.
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Thanks for swinging by, Clayton. It’s so fun to have you here today and rave a little about your book. Have fun!
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Good to be here, Diana. And thanks.
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