Let's Get the Whole Gang Together

This book is well written, raucous, and remarkably accessible. By that I mean its good humored energy and sneaky historical accuracy invite the reader into a world that is often otherwise rendered in dry or academic tones. I love "The Mabinogion", but versions run from overly simple to densely scholarly, and it's hard to recommend a translation that's casual-reader friendly. Same for something like, say, Taliesin's legendary origin tale, which has been butchered by lots of writers who should have known better.

This book, though, follows a different tack. We don't retell the old tales as such. We tell the stories of the people who told the old tales. Twelfth century Wales is richly, invitingly, and colorfully brought to life. We meet the bards, the poets, the Lords, the rural Welsh, the imperious Normans, the wenches, the soldiers, the musicians, the dreamers, and the schemers. Rich tapestry and all that sort of thing.

Apart from grounding us in the day to day reality, (wet, dreary, cold), of 1176 Wales we join in the excitement and intrigue of the first Eisteddfod. Think of this as the medieval Welsh version of the movie "State Fair", with just as many pigs, but Cynddelw Bryddyd Mawr, bard and the Great One, instead of Pat Boone. We join, among many others, a harpist and a young singer, a dandy poet, a mysterious Persian, a restless lady from Brittany, a displaced pencerrd, an Irishman bearing a grudge, Chretien de Troyes, and even Gerald of Wales himself. And all roads lead to the ultimate mic drop at Cardigan Castle. The book is in three parts - we meet the main character contestants, we travel to the festival, and then we witness the actual competition and the behind the scenes intrigue as the field is narrowed from day to day. Each section has its own pleasures, but the final third is suspenseful and in parts thrilling. It's all big, and fast paced, and rollicking.

I joke, of course, but that's because this is a big-hearted sort of book that will excite, amuse, and entertain, and will open the reader to a fascinating and proud chapter of Welsh history and artistic excellence. Land of Song, indeed.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

I am really in two minds with this one. I loved the premise of the story - the first eisteddfyd in Wales - festival of literature, music and performance - held by Rhys ap Gruffydd, Lord of Deheubarth (c.1170s). Its was the telling of the tale that left me flat.

Like a true Welsh tale, the story meandered back and forth in time, as we are slowly introduced to the characters embarking on the journey, as the historical scene is set, sometimes, at a painfully slow rate until we realise that we are only halfway through the book. It is only when the characters reach Cardigan, the seat of Lord Rhys' power, that the unseen political manouvering takes place during the contests.

This is an imagined version of events which is laid out in the "Brut Y Tywysogion" or The Chronicle of Princes.

Song Castle by Luke Waterson is a historical fiction novel centring on the 1176 CE events in Wales during which Prince Rhys of Deheubarth arranged a most magnificent contest of song and music to establish Wales as a place of culture, and not just of war. People came to this, the very first Eisteddfod, from as far afield as the Middle East. Many of the big names of the time attended, as did many who wished to gain fame. But, as the story notes, put a bunch of performers of any type together and trouble must surely come calling.

I adored this story! Wales is home to some of my ancestors, and as such, has quite captivated me. We follow multiple viewpoints from Avery and Dog, to Marie and Bernart, and of course Rhys himself, weaving a rich and varied tapestry, with a colourful cast of characters. Avery was my favourite of them all. I still want to know how he ended up in his initial predicament in which we meet him. There must be an interesting story that left him tied to a tree. Just sayin’... Dog quickly became a fave as well. He's quite the opposite of Avery, yet the two forge a friendship of sorts. He plays the harp with a skill you wouldn't guess from his brawler’s appearance. Chretien was also rather adorable.

Bernart was my least favourite. That dude was just skeezy. And there are better ways to overcome writer's block. Again, just sayin’... I didn't care much for Hamid either, and didn't fully grasp his story. I felt I perhaps missed some information somewhere. Most of the others were likable. It was neat to see Rhys and Gerald brought to life. I've read of them, of course, and I've read Gerald’s travelogue, which was fascinating and enjoyable.

The story is written in lyrical prose reminiscent of the Celtic writings I've read- the Tain, the Mabinogion, and the like. The author also incorporates various of the traditional Welsh song/poetry styles, though the words are in English. I enjoyed the different perspectives, and never found it hard to adjust, even when changes occurred within a chapter. I would have liked seeing a greater resolution to some of the story threads, like the events in the prologue, which seemed out of place, and of the immediate aftermath of the closing events, so far as Rhys was concerned. I loved how Dog's story wrapped up. It was unexpectedly sweet. Avery's, not so much, and his ending made me cry. Rhys did get his wish though. This first Eisteddfod is still remembered today, and the tradition still continues.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Urbane Publications for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I chose to read this novel specifically because of its subject matter: Wales first ever eisteddfod (a great festival of poetry and music for which our small country is justifiably celebrated), but I’m glad for so many other reasons that I did.

Song Castle is an exuberant caper through 12th-century Wales in the company of poets and musicians from all corners of the known world as they gather to compete for a permanent place at a Welsh Prince’s table. They are heading for Cardigan Castle, which overlooks the River Teifiat in Ceredigion, at the invitation of one Rhys ap Gruffydd, ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth in South Wales. He hopes to distance himself from his hitherto savage reputation and put himself and his nation at the heart of medieval culture. It is crucial, therefore, that his festival is a success.

The Lord Rhys (as he is more commonly known) has issued a proclamation giving twelve months notice of a ‘Grand festival’ of vocal and instrumental song honouring the poetry of The Bards, due to take place over Christmas 1176. But to reach their destination the competitors must first travel through a wild, rain-sodden land during a period of great barbarity, when Wales is split into several warring factions. The weather is bitterly cold and the route perilous, but the promise of good food, wine and song keep them coming.

We are introduced to charismatic, historically factual characters like Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr, the foremost bard of his day; Gwalchmai ap Meilyr, one of the earliest Welsh court poets at the court of Owain Gwynedd at Aberffraw, Anglesey; and Marie de France, one of the 12th-century’s most gifted writers who lived in Wales for a time (she was exceptional in that she excelled in a man’s world). The performers become embroiled in feuds, brawls and considerable skulduggery, though not always intentionally, and there is bloodshed on the battlements before the competition reaches its bravura climax.

To this day, the eisteddfod is Europe’s greatest competitive festival of song and poetry.

Luke Waterson is a travel writer, and this his second novel – his first, Roebuck – Tales of an Admirable Adventurer, was set in 16th-century South America. He has deftly used all available facts concerning Celtic bardic traditions and constructed a compelling, richly lyrical novel about an historic event.

I would thoroughly recommend this beguiling new title to anyone with a passion for Welsh culture; those who would like to more fully understand the ritualistic traditions of Wales; or readers who simply enjoy a cracking tale of medieval mischief and music.

Loved this novel! The author is an established travel writer and it shows in his wonderful descriptions of the Welsh landscape.
It is 1176 and a great Lord in Wales is throwing a party in his newly built fortress. To add to the event he decides to hold a contest of poetry, song and music - open to all. Thus begins the idea of the first Eisteddford now held annually in Wales.
The book had the feel of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' about it and there are a selection of wonderfully drawn characters. We begin with young Avery a hopeful who soon links in with his travelling companion Dog, a cantankerous but talented musician as they traverse the often dangerous tracks to Wales. The host of the Festival - Rhys ap Gruffyd the Lord of Deheubarth has his work cut out getting ready for the event especially when it attracts entrants from other countries. There is the famous Chretien de Troyes, a writer from the Court of Champagne searching for inspiration for his latest epic and many other Bards looking for tales way ahead of our dear Will Shakespeare.Of course there is a drunken Irishman! Niall O'Maolconaire who has a temper to match his hard drinking!
Readers may struggle with the Welsh names and an insight into the history of the time might help (with Henry Plantagenet the current King of England) and the many disputes across the border. Maps help (although small in the ebook version) to highlight the area and I loved the differing titles for each section (chapters) such as "A Slap of Strong Wind In The Face". Often the story includes real people such as Bernart de Ventadorn quite the Casanova of his time and many characters are skilful musicians teaching the reader a variety of ancient type of instrument beyond the classic harp - ie crwth and pibgorn.
Young Avery has 'left' the church in York and hopes, with his great voice to impress in the contest..
If you have a love for history and for Wales this is just the book for you. I loved it because I learnt so much but the author had not overwhelmed the plot with facts and research spoiling the narrative and flow.