The Greener Shore

A Novel of the Druids of Hibernia

By: Morgan Llywelyn

Narrated by: Simon Vance

The sequel to Morgan Llywelyn's glorious Celtic fantasy, Druids, The Greener Shore is a beautifully told adventure story.

After Julius Caesar triumphs over Gaul, the druid Ainvar and his three wives sail west to the brilliant green island of Hibernia. Here, Ainvar and his clan try to reestablish themselves.

Ainvar's "senior" wife, Briga, provides constant wisdom and support for him. Strong, sensible, and with druidic powers of her own, Briga overcomes all obstacles. Listeners who appreciate strong female characters will love this woman of the druids.

©2006 Morgan Llywelyn (P)2006 Tantor Media Inc

Critic reviews

"Not just fantasy fans will appreciate this gentle, quietly dignified tale." (Publishers Weekly)

Morgan Llewelyn is in a Class by Herself

No one recreates the days and lives experiences of the old Celts better. The reader is transported Into their world by the authors empathy and imagination.

Lesser sequel to Druids

What did you like best about The Greener Shore? What did you like least?

Picks up the story of Ainvar and the Druids

What could Morgan Llywelyn have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Wrapped up more plotlines, most were very briefly wrapped up (or not at all) after long builds: the fate of Ainvar/Briga's first child, leaving the first tribe on bad terms, one significant character being killed in an apparent tribal politics power struggle, the mysterious older race, Ainvar losing and regaining his powers or confidence (never clear which) ad nauseum

Would you listen to another book narrated by Simon Vance?

Preferably one about Dracula or Translyvania from which the Gaulish-Irish characters seemed to have gotten their accents somehow

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No

Very eloquent and beautiful story.

While I will willingly admit that this book comes nowhere close to being as good as other epic books Llywelyn has written, I will say that the way this story was written is absolutely beautiful. It's like an elongated poem that touches the spirit and calms the mind. I found Ainvar to be much more relatable in The Greener Shore than in Druids, as it is told through his eyes. Briga was awesome, The Red Wolf was awesome as well. That being said, I feel like there could have been more active conflict. We're told that the clans on Ibernia fight ceaselessly yet it feels like they never do in the story. Like not even once. And any conflict that does happen is told after the fact by people who survived its ramifications, so all suspense is pretty much snuffed out in an instance. I'm not spoiling anything, believe me. This book is much more of a meditation than anything else. If you want sword fights, knights in armor, and epic battles like some of Llywelyns other notable works then steer clear of this one. The Greener Shore focuses much more on explaining the great mystery that is Druidry and life in increasingly eloquent and poetic ways. Llywelyn draws upon the power of magic itself to weave a dreamy tale that stirs with inexplicable power and radiates with wonder.

The stars say it all.

The narrator was perfect for the story. Distinguishable voices and never annoying with the women's voices. Even though this is a sequel, I never felt like I was missing out on anything by never having read the first one. The author alludes to it and its deeply historical events clearly and with as much tantalizing detail as needed. I love this time of history, and this is a great way to get to know Ireland's ancient past. Her book 1916 (also great on Audible) was my first with her, and also quite good. If you like this type of book don't miss the two books by Edward Rutherfurd in the Dublin Saga (Princes of Ireland and Rebels of Ireland). All these books complement each other nicely and provide a good way to learn about the various ancient people of Ireland and how their history developed over the centuries, internally and externally.

Exciting and Lyrical

I would add my voice to the first review and agree with everything that was written. It is an exciting book, and you are drawn into all the characters' lives. The characters do not change any history, they merely live in it, painting a picture of living at the time of great events. For most of the book they are living at the far edge of these events. I loved it.