Celts in space—what’s not to like?

Full disclosure: This was a re-read after 37(!!!) years because I remember loving this book as a young teen, and considering the state of the world right now, I really needed something as familiar and comforting as an old blanket. I steeled myself before diving into it again because I wasn’t sure how middle-aged me would feel about the literary passions of teenaged me. Sometimes you return to a beloved book to find it’s actually dreadful.

But you know what? It’s quite enjoyable! Is it a bit woo-woo at times? Yes. Is there some quick hand-waving at the start to explain away faster-than-light travel? Yes. Is the prose sometimes slightly overcooked and the character development slightly undercooked? Also yes.

But frankly, I kind of love the idea of Saint Brendan the Navigator actually being Saint Brendan the Astrogator, who guided his persecuted people not just out of Ireland but off the planet entirely to set up a new realm in the stars. Irish mythology has been cleverly adapted here, and while it’s all quite silly (direct quote from the book: “The Irish came from outer space?”), I can’t deny that I have a huge soft spot for it.

Re-reading the book now, I realize how much of the imagery from it was indelibly imprinted on my young consciousness. Early in the book, Aeron the beautiful, powerful, red-haired queen sits high in her tower room in her seaside castle while a winter storm rages around the city. Her cozy chambers are lit by a candles and a fireplace, and she has two big wolfhounds for company (and later, a handsome brooding bard/warrior as a companion). There was nothing that 13-year-old me wanted more than to be that queen in that tower room.

So, would I recommend this book to adults who have never encountered it before? Eh…I don’t know. If you’re interested in Celtic mythology and enjoy fantasy (and this is really more fantasy than SF, despite the spaceships), then maybe give it a go? It’s not the greatest work of literature ever written, but it’s just what I needed in these turbulent times.

Further reading…