This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
Songs of an Irish Poet: The Mary O'Leary Story by Brian Brennan presents the life and poetic works of Mary O’Leary. O'Leary is one of the last representatives of the Gaelic literary tradition. She lived between the 18th and the 19th centuries when knowledge of the Gaelic language was declining, but nonetheless, her poems were popular during her lifetime. She wrote laments, love songs, and religious and humorous poems. Nowadays, she is little known both because her verses were not meant to be written and because she addressed only Gaelic-speaking people. Brian Brennan, the author, is an O’Leary descendant. In his book, he finally does justice to O'Leary's fascinating persona, collecting her poems and adding a detailed historical background.
I have already read some of Brennan's books, but Songs of an Irish Poet is the one that interests me the most. I like history and literature, and the story of Mary O’Leary presents the perfect blend of both genres. Brennan’s historical reconstruction is enlightening. Those who know little or nothing about the history of Ireland and have never heard about O’Leary will enjoy it. I also appreciate that the author makes it clear what his sources are because this makes his research more reliable. As for the poetic collection, I cannot read Gaelic, so I am grateful I can read O’Leary poems in translation at least. I like their vivid descriptions and moving honesty. I think that Songs of an Irish Poet is a valuable volume because it reveals more about a little-known but interesting piece of Irish literature.
