“Ben, every legend and all mythologies exist to teach us how to run our days. In kind fashion. A loving way. But there’s no story, no matter how ancient, as important as one’s own. So if we’re to live good lives, we have to tell ourselves our own story. In a good way. A way that’s decent to ourselves.”
(from The Last Storyteller, page 99)
The Last Storyteller is the final book in a trilogy by Frank Delaney that began with Venetia Kelly’s Traveling Show, followed by The Matchmaker of Kenmare. I firmly believe that you must read these books in order to truly appreciate the story, but with a masterful storyteller like Delaney at the helm, you are in for a big treat. I must admit that I had tears in my eyes when I finished this book. I had grown to love Ben MacCarthy over the course of his story, and I wasn’t ready to let him go.
Like the previous two books, The Last Storyteller is Ben’s recounting of his life for his two children with Venetia, Ben and Louise. It opens in 1956, with Ben still traveling and collecting stories for his job with the Irish Folklore Commission. He is a sorry case, not knowing what to do about his wife and having never set eyes on his children, who are now in their early 20s. Ben has problems, but so does his beloved country, as the Irish Republican Army launches its Border Campaign as part of an effort to take Northern Ireland back from the British and create a united Ireland.
Ben inadvertently becomes involved with a man running guns for the IRA, and despite all efforts to disentangle himself, his connection to Jimmy Bermingham put him on a path that culminates in an event that could be his either salvation or his undoing. But at the core of the novel is the Irish art of storytelling. Ben meets John Jacob O’Neill, called the “culmination” by Ben’s mentor, James Clare. O’Neill is an old man who never seems to age, who can captivate an audience with legends and myths for hours on end, and whose guidance will help Ben to finally heal.
Delaney never ceases to amaze me with his storytelling abilities. He deftly weaves legends and mythologies into Ben’s story, and he juggles so many interesting characters and connects them in ways I didn’t always expect. There were times that I thought the book was getting a bit long, but I was never once bored, so I think it was merely my impatience to find out what happened. I love how he clearly explained the IRA conflict and the struggles of the Irish people from long ago, but he worked it into Ben’s writings so it wasn’t distracting.
Though I loved every book in this trilogy, I think The Last Storyteller was my favorite. Delaney paces the story perfectly, taking readers on an adventure that is as much a story of Ireland’s tumultuous history as it is Ben’s journey to find himself. Even though I wasn’t ready to let Ben go, I knew it was time, and Delaney skillfully concludes the story in a way that satisfied my curiosity to know what really happened and felt true to the life of the characters I’d grown to know and love. He enables readers to share the lives of his characters so that I felt like I truly knew Ben, his strengths and his faults, and I couldn’t help but feel heartbroken for him at his low points and elated for him when the rays of hope shone through. Delaney has earned a space on my list of favorite authors, and I can’t wait to read more of his work.
If you’re interested in The Last Storyteller, you are in luck. Courtesy of MEIER, I have a copy to offer to my readers. To enter, leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me your favorite book about Irish storytelling, history, or politics, or why you want to read this book. This giveaway is open internationally and will close at 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, April 8, 2012.
**Please note that this giveaway is now closed**
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Last Storyteller from MEIER for review purposes. I am an IndieBound affiliate and an Amazon associate.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
I think this trilogy sounds lovely and Ben is someone I should get to know!!! Your review is so awesome!!
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Thanks, Staci! I really think you’d enjoy these books.
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I read Venetia Kelly and really liked it. I need to get back to Ben’s story!
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Yes, you do! 😉 I loved the first book, loved the second one even more, and then the third one even more that that!
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In recent months I’ve read HF about St. Patrick, about Brigid of Kildare, and about Brendan. I’m ready for an Irish novel of more recent vintage. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
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I haven’t read anything set in Ireland before the potato famine. Maybe I need to go back in time a bit.
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I cannot wait to read this
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Yes, you really need to make time to finish the trilogy, especially since I know you love books about Ireland as much as I do!
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My review partner, Sandra, read the whole trilogy too and absolutely loved it! No need to enter me.
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I’m glad other readers have enjoyed it as much as I did.
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What a wonderful giveaway. The book that was memorable and special about Irish life and politics was The Linen Queen. This book would be fascinating and special.
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I absolutely loved The Linen Queen!
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I am Irish but I have never heard about this trilogy. I would love to read the newest book; I’ll have to visit my library to get the first two in the series.
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Yes, it’s best to start at the beginning. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
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[…] Comments « Review: The Last Storyteller by Frank Delaney (with international giveaway!) […]
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This sounds like a great trilogy, I love the Irish setting.
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Me, too. I love traveling through my reading!
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I adored this series, too – and I completely agree that this final one was the best. Ben’s character completely grew on me during the course of the trilogy and I loved allt he divergences and rabbit trails. Delaney is truly a master!
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When I started Venetia Kelly, I was wondering where Delaney was going with the story. I wasn’t used to the divergences, but after about 70 pages, I just went with it and was hooked. That style of storytelling has really grown on me, and Delaney is the best in that regard.
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Not entering, I would love to, but books should be read in order 🙂 Though it ure sounds good
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Well, you could always get the first two books from the library or somewhere if you were to win this one. 😉
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Thanks for saving my comment from the spam-iverse! 🙂
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My pleasure! Grr on the spam!
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I would love to read this book. My favorite book about Irish story telling is The Lonely Voice, by Frank O’Connor
Thanks for offering this opportunity
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I will have to check that one out. Thanks for the recommendation!
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I really enjoy Delaney’s writing, and so glad I found him. I enjoyed this one a tad more than the last one, also.
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I was surprised that I loved this one so much, especially since I adored The Matchmaker of Kenmare!
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Oddly enough, my favorite book involving Irish politics was written by none other than Frank Delaney, Venetia Kelly’s Travelling Show. Loved that book! So, of course I want to read The Last Storyteller because I love his writing. 🙂
Thanks for the chance!
truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom
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Venetia Kelly is a great book. Glad you loved it as much as I did!
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My favorite book about Ireland is none other than “The Matchmaker Of Kenmare” by the one and only Frank Delaney. I recently joined a book club and was assigned the month of September to choose a book. Not normally a fiction reader, I wandered around the library and “TMOK” caught my eye. I’ve never read a more poignant and insightful author as Delaney is. I am now intent on ready every word he’s ever written. Just checked out “Tipperary” today as a matter of fact. Thanks!!
boneschloe@yahoo.com
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I can’t wait to read more of Delaney’s work. I loved, loved, loved The Matchmaker of Kenmare.
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I love Peter Tremayne’s Sister Fidelma mysteries set in Ancient Ireland and I’ve read various other books about some of the Irish saints. I think this one sounds pretty good.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
sophiarose1816@gmail.com
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I will have to check those out. Mysteries set in Ancient Ireland sound good to me!
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I’m surprised I haven’t read any of Frank Delaney’s trilogy yet. I love books that revolve around the Irish and Ireland. I’d like to be entered in your giveaway but I will read the books in order so I’ll need to get the first 2 if I win this one. Your terrific review of this book completely absorbs me so I imagine I’ll love the books!
Thank you Anna!
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Thanks, Amy. I think you’d enjoy Delaney’s writing.
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I love serial fiction (and would have no problem backtracking if I liked the story enough), all the better that the tale centers on the Irish. Thanks for the chance to win.
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This story takes so many twists and turns over the course of three books, that you’ll definitely want to start at the beginning!
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This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered or just stopped by to read my review. The winner will be chosen via Randomizer.org, e-mailed, and announced shortly.
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