BS: Stephen Lawheads 'Patrick'

Subject: BS: Stephen Lawheads 'Patrick'
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 11:06 AM

Anyone read it? I like Stephen Lawhead as a writer of both fiction and 'faction' so I jumped at the opportunity to learn something of the circumstances under which a young Welshman became patron saint of Ireland. Just finished it. Fascinating read. I do of course accept that the the interplay and dialogue is all made up but can anyone who has read it tell me if the story, people and places are in the main the accepted (truth/legend/myth/tale - delete to suit your sensibilities...) of Patrick?

Again I realise that going this far back in time no-one can be that sure but it must have been an amazing time of change. The shrinking of the Roman empire. The power stuggles to fill that gap. The multiplicity of religions from Roman and Greek paganism to the Celtic druids to the up and coming new Christian faith - How on earth did the world survive it! Good job there were no nukes at the time I guess!

Anyhow - back to my origial question. Anyone read it? Views? Comments?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Stephen Lawheads 'Patrick'
From: jonm
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 11:27 AM

As far as I am aware, Patrick's life has been reconstructed by historians from a limited number of events or locations where he was believed to be present.

The links between these as "established" by historians have been a matter of conjecture and several views exist.

Lawhead seems to have taken the "facts", the elements of interpretation upon which most people are agreed and some of the other conjectures and built a story. Neither more nor less factually correct than any others, but a cracking read nonetheless!

Subject: RE: BS: Stephen Lawheads 'Patrick'
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 11:44 AM

Thanks John - I agree about it being a cracking read! I lost sympathy with the 'hero' for a while but I think at the end that was probably the writers intention!

One thing I forgot to ask - anyone know anything about the 'Cele De'? (Sorry can't do squiggles over letters...) They are in Lawheads Celtic Crusades series as well. I found a Celto/Christian band with that name at www.celede.net I don't think they are Christian druids;-)

Perhaps they are...

Cheers

:D