January 2011 Book of the Month: Horse Goddess by Morgan Llywelyn

[neilgee]

Horse Goddess

This is the thread where we will share our thoughts on January's Book of the Month.

You don't have to complete the whole book to contribute to the thread, just tell us what your first impressions are, and so on, sometimes it's interesting to compare notes as we read.

Also if anybody knows any background information to the novel that would make it more interesting for the readers please share that too.

Okay, this thread is now open.

Happy Reading Everyone.

[neilgee]

Just thought I'd better bump this back to the top!

Any thoughts, anyone?

[Winifred]

Hmm, thanks for reminding me - I've received all the rest of my order, but not Horse Goddess. *goes off to examine my email from Amazon*

[neilgee]

Sorry your copy is late, Winifred. I found this review (actually it's a paragraph from a much longer review) and was wondering what Moony might make of it:

I have studied fairy tales, mythology around the world, and Celtic history in general purely out of love for the subjects, and Llywelyn is a master at historical fiction. With Bardic ease, she takes the Gods and Heros from Irish lore and breathes life into them. They become human without every really loosing their otherwordly potential. The Horse Goddess is the first book I read by this wonderful author, although I've collected a few more since then. In comparison with the others I have read, this is certainly the least tragic. For those who have never read Irish tales, don't be surprised at the tragedies that seem to shadow so many of these stories and heros. I think James Joyce said it best.... "The Irish are a race born mad! For all their wars are merry and all their songs are sad!"

Some of you have said that you already have a copy and it would be nice if we started off with a positive view of the book by one of the members who voted for it.

[Winifred]

Well, all I had to do was shoot off a message to Amazon asking where the book was. The Hub called 5 minutes after I pushed the send button to let me know it had just arrived....Magic! I'll be reading this weekend.

[Winifred]

Hmm, in 6th grade, for World History, our teacher let each of us choose a specialty to present to the class as we studied each country. My choice was myths and legends, so Horse Goddess looks like fun. Kernunnos' beliefs have interesting parallels to the books I'm reading about shamanism in Siberia, as well.

Plus, on occasion, I can now call the Hub the Invincible Boar :)

[Winifred]

Well, I finished it.

What I liked: 1) detailed descriptions of day to day life. 2) description of shaman activities. I'm now reading Shamanism in Siberia by M A Czaplicka (originally published in 1914), and Czaplicka's descriptions tally awfully well with Horse Goddess's, right down to the reluctance of some potential shamans to acknowledge their talents, not wanting the disruption in their lives. 3) found the clash of cultures between Celts and Scythians interesting, especially the acknowledgement at the end by Epona, when she receives gifts, that she perhaps doesn't understand the Scythian women very well.4) the intriguing character of the druid Kernunnos, aptly named the Shapechanger - evil, a figure of conscience, or merely controlled by the balance of his belief system? Won't say much, because I'm curious what others think of him.

What I didn't like:1) detailed descriptions occasionally interfered with plot, ie the beginning: girl is scared to death, so let's describe the village.2) Really annoyed by the stupid "foreign talk" maintained by Kazhak and his tribe all the way though the novel - even when 2 Scythians were talking with each other, say, Dasadas and Kazhak, the author maintains the "me can't talk good, even in language me born into" approach.

Otherwise, it was a great young adult book (with sexuality handled pretty well). Powerful girl + exotic stranger + horses + werewolf figure + adventure + privilege. What more could you want, except, these days, maybe a vampire....

[Moony]

I finished the library book I was working on so I can delve more exclusively into this book now. I'm really not very far at all to be honest. Just finished the chapter where Epona's mother was telling her what her experience with men should be now that she's had her woman-making ceremony. (Was anyone else thinking that bit was a little weird?) It's suppose to snow all day so I might not be going into work tomorrow. It will be catch-up time!

[neilgee]

Hmm, shapeshifters, ceremonies, superstitions and the shackles that superstitions put upon the human mind, this tribe can't mix with that tribe and your parents planning your future for you. It is interesting to read about from a distance but boy am I glad I didn't live in those times!!

[Winifred]

neilgee, I kind of liked the balance proposed in the Celtic belief system, thought the shackles were more cultural than superstitious(maybe both for the Scythians)....

and, believe it or not, I haven't forgotten about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, I (blush) can't find my copy of the book....it's buried in my room somewhere, probably under all that Shakespeare...

[Moony]

It was kind of a slow start, but I feel I've reached the point where I've been hooked by the story. It shouldn't take too long to finish now.

[neilgee]

neilgee, I kind of liked the balance proposed in the Celtic belief system, thought the shackles were more cultural than superstitious(maybe both for the Scythians)....

and, believe it or not, I haven't forgotten about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, I (blush) can't find my copy of the book....it's buried in my room somewhere, probably under all that Shakespeare...

Winifred, thankyou so much for your contribution this month.

I called it superstition because I was thinking of Moony's reference to the "woman-making ceremony" and because of the "Gods" - but I suppose that would qualify as religious belief as much as superstition - but I accept your comment.

Don't worry about G & R are dead, you've already made this thread much better than that one was, and this is what's happening now!

Moony, good luck with finishing the book and please let us read what you made of it when you do.

[Frith]

My first thoughts are that I like the Celtic vibe; however, I'm still in the process of reading it and finishing a local book. More in-dept thoughts to come. =]

[neilgee]

My first thoughts are that I like the Celtic vibe; however, I'm still in the process of reading it and finishing a local book. More in-dept thoughts to come. =]

Cheers, Firth. I almost put a note at the end of the last post to ask where you had got to but I thought it might be seen as putting pressure on you :) It will be interesting to hear your impressions of the book.

[Frith]

Cheers, Firth. I almost put a note at the end of the last post to ask where you had got to but I thought it might be seen as putting pressure on you :) It will be interesting to hear your impressions of the book.

It's okay. I've been going down my reading list and it has been slow going, sadly. I didn't realize that I would be such a procrastinator this month.

[thelastmelon]

I ordered it from Amazon UK a while back, and I'm still waiting for my copy! I will join you all though, just a bit later than I hoped!

[Frith]

Okay, I finished it this morning. I really liked this book and have mentally put it in favorite list.

I love how contrast was used in every aspect of the novel. Several examples I noted include:
1. The novel began the contrasts with Epona as a child just entering adulthood and ended with her embracing adulthood through her experiences.
2. Contrasting family characteristics, Rigantona’s love of possessions over people and Okelos’s willingness to replace his father versus Chief Toutorix’s compassion and fairness and Epona’s purity, in essence a struggle between the morally corrupt and the pure of heart.
3. Contrast was given with the seemingly traumatizing woman making ceremony in contrast to sensuality of “bedsports”
4. The main plot even hints at contrast between the two main tribes: Scythian and Kelti; examples included but not limited to, Scythians are nomads while the Kelts are home builders; forest/mountains vs. open plains; simplicity (Scyth) and complexity (Kelt); simple language of the Scythians with one word meaning many things (for example, man and weapon are the same; different, foreign and enemy are the same) versus the complex language of the Kelti (as mentioned by Kahzak); east vs. west; female submission vs. equality. Everything about the two races screams opposition but yet the main characters draw from each other and fall in love.
I love the complexity of the contrasts and it even draw back to part of Epona’s religious beliefs that insist harmony lies in balancing everything.

Plus, was anyone else pleased that in the end when Goibban sought her affections that she scorned him just as she did in the beginning? On a final note, for now, I’m so glad it ended the way it did; I was beginning to worry that it was going to be an unsatisfactory ending.

[Moony]

Oi! I'm such a slacker on this book! I meant to have it finished by Friday, but sadly I'm just over half done. I've reached the point where Epona is traveling with the foreigners and she's enjoying the sexual relations with Kazhak.

[neilgee]

Okay, I finished it this morning. I really liked this book and have mentally put it in favorite list.

I love how contrast was used in every aspect of the novel. Several examples I noted include:
1. The novel began the contrasts with Epona as a child just entering adulthood and ended with her embracing adulthood through her experiences.
2. Contrasting family characteristics, Rigantona’s love of possessions over people and Okelos’s willingness to replace his father versus Chief Toutorix’s compassion and fairness and Epona’s purity, in essence a struggle between the morally corrupt and the pure of heart.
3. Contrast was given with the seemingly traumatizing woman making ceremony in contrast to sensuality of “bedsports”
4. The main plot even hints at contrast between the two main tribes: Scythian and Kelti; examples included but not limited to, Scythians are nomads while the Kelts are home builders; forest/mountains vs. open plains; simplicity (Scyth) and complexity (Kelt); simple language of the Scythians with one word meaning many things (for example, man and weapon are the same; different, foreign and enemy are the same) versus the complex language of the Kelti (as mentioned by Kahzak); east vs. west; female submission vs. equality. Everything about the two races screams opposition but yet the main characters draw from each other and fall in love.
I love the complexity of the contrasts and it even draw back to part of Epona’s religious beliefs that insist harmony lies in balancing everything.

Plus, was anyone else pleased that in the end when Goibban sought her affections that she scorned him just as she did in the beginning? On a final note, for now, I’m so glad it ended the way it did; I was beginning to worry that it was going to be an unsatisfactory ending.

What an inspired diagnosis of the book, Frith! Thankyou so much for taking the time to post your impressions, and I agree with you about the ending.

Moony, lastmelon, don't worry, we've still got almost half the month to go. :)

[Frith]

What an inspired diagnosis of the book, Frith! Thank you so much for taking the time to post your impressions, and I agree with you about the ending.

=] I'm glad someone agreed about the ending. I hope I didn't spoil anything for those who haven't finished; at first, I was like I may be posting spoilers and then I was like what I posted doesn't ruin the overall plot and I didn't spoil the ending.

It was a great book, many thanks to Moony for suggesting it.

It may be a bit early but when are we going to take suggestions for next months book? I checked the dates for when we gave suggestions and it's about the same time we took suggestions in December.

[Moony]

I'm approaching the end. I'm discovering that I like this book but it's hard to say in so many words right now precisely why this is. Perhaps once I reach the end I should be able to articulate my thoughts better for a more thorough discussion.

[neilgee]

=]

It may be a bit early but when are we going to take suggestions for next months book? I checked the dates for when we gave suggestions and it's about the same time we took suggestions in December.

Good idea, Frith. I'll go and post that now. Thankyou.

[Moony]

Finished and really liked this book. I think I'll be keeping it on my shelves.

[Frith]

Good idea, Frith. I'll go and post that now. Thankyou.

I couldn't help it. I had fun this month and I can't wait for the next. haha

It's not often that I get to discuss books with people that enjoy them as much as I do.

[Moony]

Something struck me about this book. When I bought it the sypnosis on the back cover has the phrase "stormy love affair" to describe the story, but I assumed it would just be a typical romance. But it doesn't really resemble what I expected. And I admit that I was surprised by the... would you classify it as a miscarriage or a still birth? I think I read too many happily-ever-afters because I almost never see that kind of stuff happening.

[margaine]

better late than never . . . my copy came in the mail today!

[Moony]

I look forward to seeing what you think, margaine!

[margaine]

finally finished the book the other day! I enjoyed it, but it took me a while to get used to the putting two words together thing, as in "thislife" or "commonground" or "otherlife" (I'm sorry if those aren't quite right, I don't have the book on hand at the moment). But once I got past that, I quite enjoyed it. However, not knowing much about the celtic pantheon, I felt like I would have appreciated the book a lot more if I had. I really liked the information in the afterword, where the author explains how many of the characters were representative of celtic gods (I didn't know about any of them beforehand, except Epona) and also about the origin of the Dracula tale (when I read that part of the book, I was like, why is she focusing so much on the story of the wolf spreading through the mountains . . .). When I read the afterword, I was like of like, oh cool! It all makes sense now!



2) Really annoyed by the stupid "foreign talk" maintained by Kazhak and his tribe all the way though the novel - even when 2 Scythians were talking with each other, say, Dasadas and Kazhak, the author maintains the "me can't talk good, even in language me born into" approach.

yeah!! this really bothered me so much. the only reason I could come up for for doing this was that it maintains their otherness (since they always seemed other to Epona, whose perspective we primarily see through). But, yeah, really frustrating.


Something struck me about this book. When I bought it the sypnosis on the back cover has the phrase "stormy love affair" to describe the story, but I assumed it would just be a typical romance. But it doesn't really resemble what I expected. And I admit that I was surprised by the... would you classify it as a miscarriage or a still birth? I think I read too many happily-ever-afters because I almost never see that kind of stuff happening.

my copy makes the book look so much like a romance novel! I can't figure out why they tried to sell it that way, because it's really a lot of other things aside from a book that has a love story in it.

I was kind-of glad (not for the character, but for the story overall) about the miscarriage/still birth. because the plot where the woman loses the man (through distance or death) but has his baby to keep his memory alive is too overdone.

[Frith]

Originally Posted by Winifred
2) Really annoyed by the stupid "foreign talk" maintained by Kazhak and his tribe all the way though the novel - even when 2 Scythians were talking with each other, say, Dasadas and Kazhak, the author maintains the "me can't talk good, even in language me born into" approach.

yeah!! this really bothered me so much. the only reason I could come up for for doing this was that it maintains their otherness (since they always seemed other to Epona, whose perspective we primarily see through). But, yeah, really frustrating.

I liked the foreign speak; I really thought that it added to the story!

[Moony]

What does your cover look like, margaine?

[margaine]

What does your cover look like, margaine?

it looks like this

http://cd.pbsstatic.com/xl/56/0556/9780671460556.jpg

[Winifred]

Hahahahaahaha, that is really awful!! Doesn't exactly capture the spirit of the book, does it? I see the beefcake, but, where's the horse? :D :D :D

Here's the copy I read:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/MrsBucket/51W9PBAC0FL_BO2204203200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-clickTopRight35-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg

[Frith]

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee255/Hoshi_Asuko/horsegoddess.jpg

Mine looked like this and I loved the cover.

Margaine, oh my god, your cover looks like it would be a super smutty romance novel!

[margaine]

yeah! the back cover is even worse - I can't find a picture of it online. but it has a little circular picture of a naked woman (Epona) on the back of a horse (there's your horse Winifred!). She is clearly meant to look naked, but her long blond hair is blowing and thus covering her chest.

Frith, I like your cover! It goes along well with how I pictured the book in my mind.

[Winifred]

I'm with margaine - of the covers shown, you win, Frith (Although, I do like the mountains and action of mine)!!

Before we leave Horse Goddess, I wondered if anyone else noticed how the author seemed to handle evil - I was struck at the dichotomy between the shaman's controlling, cruel tendencies, and yet the way his shamanist role seemed to hold that evil in check. That is, in another life, he might have been a sadistic criminal. In his world, he "knew" Epona must be returned to share her own powers with the tribe, and turned all his energies to that purpose. Maniacal devotion to her, personally, or maniacal dedication to his people and culture? I find him a really enigmatic character, especially in contrast to the rather simply depicted Scythian shamans.