Drawing on extensive scholarship and the poet's own inimitable letters, this edition, with extensive explanatory notes and a full Scots glossary fo...
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reviews
Mar 17, 2009
Veronica
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In this interpretation of a classic Celtic myth, rewritten by Alexander McCall Smith of mystery novel fame, we discover the life and times of Angus, God of Dreams. A clever, lovely young God with a penchant for birds and pigs, Angus is a bringer of happiness. In McCall's version, Angus's ancient myth is presented alongside contemporary fictional tales of his influence on several individuals. The stories are touching in and of themselves, but the way in which they are interwoven with the very tra
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Mar 28, 2009
Elizabeth
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What I like about the Celtic Gods is that they are just ordinary people, in a way. They have both mortals and immortals at their parties. They live among their people. They behave like people, exhibiting all the best and worst qualities, and while the people recognize that there is a God among them, it's like having a King or Chieftain in the house, not an overwhelming force. So Alexander McCall Smith's contribution to the Myths series is an excellent blending of the fantastic and the regular, l
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Dec 18, 2011
Richard
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Rating: 3.5* of five
A very interesting idea for a series, this. Retell the classic myths of the world from a new perspective, only a serious point is to be made: Myths are the stories of our collective unconscious, and can always bear updating.
It works out well in Dream Angus in large part because McCall Smith is Dream Angus's little brother. He creates magical invisible kingdoms of thought and convinces the millions that they're real and they're worth visiting time after tim More...
A very interesting idea for a series, this. Retell the classic myths of the world from a new perspective, only a serious point is to be made: Myths are the stories of our collective unconscious, and can always bear updating.
It works out well in Dream Angus in large part because McCall Smith is Dream Angus's little brother. He creates magical invisible kingdoms of thought and convinces the millions that they're real and they're worth visiting time after tim More...
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May 15, 2010
Jennifer (JC-S)
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‘Myth is a cloud based upon a shadow based upon the movement of the breeze.’
Angus, we are told, is the Celtic god of dreams. He is the son of the warlike Dagda and of a water spirit called Boann. If he is the right mood, he might grant you a sight of your true love in a dream; you might even fall in love with him but it won’t be reciprocated. Angus is far too busy making mischief: stealing the palace of the gods from Dagda and turning his enemies into pigs. Until one day he is tr More...
Angus, we are told, is the Celtic god of dreams. He is the son of the warlike Dagda and of a water spirit called Boann. If he is the right mood, he might grant you a sight of your true love in a dream; you might even fall in love with him but it won’t be reciprocated. Angus is far too busy making mischief: stealing the palace of the gods from Dagda and turning his enemies into pigs. Until one day he is tr More...
Jan 12, 2009
Jaemi
rated it: 
I don't actually know anything about the myth of Angus, had never heard of The Dagda, so I had nothing to draw on in terms of comparing this telling to the myth itself. Therefore I can't say how it compares, or even if I was missing anything by having no prior knowledge.
One of the titles in Canongate's The Myths series, Dream Angus centers around Angus, a God of Love and Dreams. Born to Boann, after she was tricked by Dagda, Angus is quickly stolen from his mother and handed off to o More...
One of the titles in Canongate's The Myths series, Dream Angus centers around Angus, a God of Love and Dreams. Born to Boann, after she was tricked by Dagda, Angus is quickly stolen from his mother and handed off to o More...
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Aug 19, 2011
Ancestral
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Why did I read it? I like the idea of modern takes on older myths and this was available as part of my subscription to an audio book site.
Synopsis: It starts with the old celtic myth of Angust, starting with his parents and his birth, interspersed with Alexander McCall Smith's stories based on the myth.
What did I like? I liked how it weaved back and forth from the time of myth to more modern life stories and how these new stories reflected the life of the Angus of old. S More...
Synopsis: It starts with the old celtic myth of Angust, starting with his parents and his birth, interspersed with Alexander McCall Smith's stories based on the myth.
What did I like? I liked how it weaved back and forth from the time of myth to more modern life stories and how these new stories reflected the life of the Angus of old. S More...
Jan 26, 2010
M and G
rated it:
Quite different from a lot of AMS's writing, although it has his characteristic style markers and delicately painted brushstrokes, building images and scenes with charm and areas of depth and others slightly out-of-focus. The difference here is in the loose linking of fairly disparate tales into a work about the myth-figure 'dream Angus'. I kept expecting resolution of one story in another, when there seemed to be tennuous connections between one story and another, but these appeared to be no mo
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Sep 21, 2011
Juliana
rated it:
Ini adalah cerita tentang Dream Angus, dewa mimpi dan cinta dari kebudayaan Celtic. Awalnya dibuka dengan riwayat Dream Angus, yang seperti cerita-cerita dewa di budaya lainnya, agak sedikit rumit. Singkat kata, dia adalah putera Dagda, raja dewa pada kebudayaan Celtic. Buku ini tidak secara runut membahas riwayat Dream Angus, tapi diselingi dengan cerita tentang rakyat Skotlandia dan kepercayaan mereka kepada dewa mimpi dan cinta ini. Ada yang bekerja di Canada, dan memohon agar didekatkan deng
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Apr 26, 2011
Lucia
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This is #5 in the Canongate "The Myths" series for me and so far my favorite. I have little prior knowledge of Irish mythology so I had to "research" the background story of Angus and as far as I can tell, Smith's "retelling" is very similiar to the orignial story. What I liked about it was the modern day stories interspersed between the chapters of Angus's story and his influence on our lives today. I am also not previously familiar with this author but I enjoye
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Feb 27, 2009
Djrmel
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This book is one of the Myth series from Canonsgate, where well published authors write new stories for old myths, as well as using them for inspiration for contemporary short stories. (That sounds more complicated than it is, really. The publisher's website explains only a little better.) McCall Smith tells the story of Angus, a god of love, dreams, beauty and youth in Celtic culture. This author recognizes that all those things don't guarantee a perfect life for the young god or the humans th
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May 06, 2011
melydia
rated it:
A sort-of retelling of the myth of Angus, Celtic god of dreams and youth and love. The chapters alternate between the story of Angus's life and more modern vignettes that somehow incorporate Angus in various forms. Though Angus is supposedly a god of love, all the vignettes were rather sad: love lost, doubt, infidelity. I felt very disconnected from the whole thing, really. The parts about Angus's life came across more like someone was describing the myth to me, while the other stories were s
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Jun 25, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
This is probably the best of the series. It does not seem to be written in the typical voice of Alexander McCall Smith so don't expect anything like The Number 1 Ladies series. It was a little difficult for me to follow because it is not necessarily sequential and you have to figure out from context clues who the main character of each section is. However, it wraps up quite nicely at the end leaving the reader quite satisfied. It is not the best book ever written nor one that I would recomme
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Mar 04, 2009
Liz
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This book was a bit disappointing. Jumps from story to story barely have any cohesiveness, except that all of the stories are loosely based on legends of the dream angus. Some chapters are a continuation of the story before, and other times it begins a totally different story, without much warning. Sometimes stories would just end, with seemingly no real point to it. Perhaps others may not have as much trouble as I did keeping up with what's happening.
I did enjoy the stories of his o More...
I did enjoy the stories of his o More...
Jul 28, 2011
I love Alexander McCall Smith's writing! Will read more by him. This book was a delightful, short read. I enjoyed the modern Angus tales as much as the ancient Dream Angus myths. Dreams and love. The Angus in each story made me think of my own life and how to be more gentle and loving. Interesting Celtic myths! Am intrigued enough to read more of the myth series and do some more research on other Celtic myths. It also gave me a different perspective on the name Angus and made me smile when I tho
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Jun 23, 2011
Kathy
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A beautiful, literary, historical and contemporary retelling of the Angus myths, from Scotland and Ireland. Admittedly, I'd never encountered Angus before, but the god of love and dreams, who bestows his gifts generously, stole my breath and my heart, as I, like all those who encountered him in the stories, fell just a little bit in love with him.
McCall Smith is a master storyteller and prose-crafter, and his insertion of traditional mythology into the modern day made me want to be mor More...
McCall Smith is a master storyteller and prose-crafter, and his insertion of traditional mythology into the modern day made me want to be mor More...
Jul 19, 2009
Isabell
rated it:
This is the first book I've read by McCall Smith (It was the only one our local library carried). It's solid writing, and I thoroughly enjoyed the theme of this book: the reality vs fiction of dreams. Can we will a dream to come true?
Considering what the author was given to work with (i.e. pick a myth and transform it into the now), this was certainly a little master piece in its own right.
I'm really interested to see what McCall Smith can do when allowed to pick his own More...
Considering what the author was given to work with (i.e. pick a myth and transform it into the now), this was certainly a little master piece in its own right.
I'm really interested to see what McCall Smith can do when allowed to pick his own More...
Feb 22, 2011
Pauline
rated it:
"In my experience, dreams are unreliable, and the lovers whom people see in their dreams, well... Put it this way, I'm not exactly convinced. Far from it." - Thoughts on Dream Angus by Alexander McCall Smith
Sigh. I hate it when a book disappoints me, especially when I've convinced myself early on that I will love, oh I will love it so, so much. Alexander McCall Smith's Dream Angus is my fourth Canongate Myth, and even before I've started reading the series, just when I was More...
Sigh. I hate it when a book disappoints me, especially when I've convinced myself early on that I will love, oh I will love it so, so much. Alexander McCall Smith's Dream Angus is my fourth Canongate Myth, and even before I've started reading the series, just when I was More...
Jul 09, 2009
Cameron
rated it:
Flitting in amongst the lives and dreams of modern day Irish folk, Angus, deliverer of dreams and igniter of passions and love, takes on the persona of a therapist, a tow-headed and simple-minded youth, or the ancient regalia as the son of the Dagda, the highest of the Irish deities. McCall Smith crafts a series of delightful short stories, rife with the connections between people and the failings therein. Whether describing the beautiful beginnings of a newlywed couple or the wrenching betray
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May 02, 2008
Teresa
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I think what I liked best about this book is the introduction. I knew nothing about Angus, so was happy to get background info. And I loved these lines by Smith in his intro (and felt that they could speak to those readers of Atwood's "Penelopiad" who seemed so furious with her for her retelling):
"Purists may object to this, but myths live, and are there to be played with. At the same time, it is important to remind readers ... that if they want the medieval versions, More...
"Purists may object to this, but myths live, and are there to be played with. At the same time, it is important to remind readers ... that if they want the medieval versions, More...
May 06, 2007
liz
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"Dream Angus" is one of a series of books published by Canongate that are re-workings of traditional myths from around the world by contemporary authors. We read the Penelopead by Margaret Atwood for book club and were all extremely disappointed. But I really enjoy Alexander McCall Smith, and liked "Dream Angus" a lot. Maybe just because it focuses on a Celtic god (or son of a god), Angus is a dreamgiver/eros figure. McCall Smith intersperses his retelling of Angus's life wit
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Jun 20, 2008
lynne
rated it:
Never heard of Angus? Me neither! And I consider myself relatively well-exposed to Greek, Roman, Norse and some Anglo-Saxon/Celtic mythology. But no worries, Mr McCall does an excellent job of introducing us to this Celtic god of dreams.
The origins of Angus are typical: just as Zeus, king of the Greek gods, disguised himself in many different forms in order to seduce a chosen female target, the king of Celtic gods The Dagda disguised himself as a holy man and seduced Boann, a wat More...
The origins of Angus are typical: just as Zeus, king of the Greek gods, disguised himself in many different forms in order to seduce a chosen female target, the king of Celtic gods The Dagda disguised himself as a holy man and seduced Boann, a wat More...
Sep 12, 2008
Diana
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I can do no wrong when it comes to picking books these days. My latest serendipitous choice: Dream Angus by Alexander McCall Smith. It's very different from the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Much as I liked those, I was getting a bit tired of them. I read the first of the Sunday Philosophy Club series set in Edinburgh, and it was ok, but it didn't seem to break any new ground. This though, this is really good. It's a retelling of the Scots/Irish legend of Angus, a mythical figure who brin
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Oct 30, 2009
Judith
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This book is part of a series on myths. He takes the myth of the Dream Angus, a handsome lad who goes around giving people dreams while searching for the woman of his own dreams, and intersperses stories about regular mortals who relate to him metaphorically. While the book is well-written, I can't say that I got very excited about it, or felt that sigh of satisfaction like I did after I read his other books. It might have just been my mood. I hope you try it and let me know what you think.
Jan 15, 2012
Jennifer
rated it:
A look at the life of Angus, the Celtic God of dreams and love, told through the myths and more modern stories of people and dreams.
Parts of this worked and parts didn't. The stories weaved through the myths of Angus were well written, but just not as interesting as the myths themselves - which often felt wooden.
The book was really more of a collection of short stories about Angus than one cohesive story, which is what I had expected.
And maybe the reason for my disappointment.
Parts of this worked and parts didn't. The stories weaved through the myths of Angus were well written, but just not as interesting as the myths themselves - which often felt wooden.
The book was really more of a collection of short stories about Angus than one cohesive story, which is what I had expected.
And maybe the reason for my disappointment.
Mar 19, 2010
John
rated it:
This is Alexander McCall Smith writing outside his usual box which, I think, is not a very good thing. That said, I liked the book; it's just that I like his usual fare a whole lot more. Angus is a spirit, or maybe a demigod, who brings dreams, and an eros who brings love. He is a part of the Celtic mythology of Ireland and Scotland. McCall Smith describes Angus's geneology, and presents several stories about his activities. Interesting (but not essential) McCall Smith.
Nov 05, 2009
Hannah
rated it:
I don't like jumping on the bandwagon for super popular authors (personal aversion that is completely idiotic), but I'm reluctantly joining McCall Smith fans. The more of his stuff that I read, the more I like him.
This is part of a series of myths that are reworked by current big-name authors. In this collection that focuses on Dream Angus, McCall Smith did a really good job of transitioning between the language of fables and modern storytelling. It's a very quick read, too.
This is part of a series of myths that are reworked by current big-name authors. In this collection that focuses on Dream Angus, McCall Smith did a really good job of transitioning between the language of fables and modern storytelling. It's a very quick read, too.
May 04, 2007
hadashi
rated it:
I picked this up on a whim when returning a DVD to the library. This title is part of a series of contemporary retellings of ancient myths from various cultures. ("The Myth Series From Canongate.") Each one is done by a well-known, accomplished author that’s culturally appropriate: so McCall Smith, who is a Scotsman, gets Dream Angus. The chapters alternate: a scene from the Dream Angus stories, then a contemporary story. It’s a nice idea, but the problem is that you’re constantly
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Feb 10, 2009
Becca
rated it:
Another delightful quick read from the Myths series. I have a soft spot in my heart for all things Celtic, and this certainly did not disappoint. The five contemporary stories are woven in to the actual story as if it were supposed to be a part of the original myth. I had never read any of Smith's works before, and when the book jacket says "renowned storytelling talents," I do not think they're lying. I'm really enjoying the Myths series.
Aug 12, 2010
Monty
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Alexander McCall Smith is quite a story teller. I listened to this book on tape and sometimes wasn't sure when one story ended and one began. The settings and situations varied quite a bit, and after awhile I began to anticipate which character would be Angus in the next story. As one might expect, some stories were more compelling than others. It's a short book and made for fun listening while on a road trip with my partner.
Dec 29, 2007
James
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I was pretty disappointed here. I had some hopes for this book, as it had interesting subject material and dealt with a Celtic god I have never really heard of before. The mythology of Angus, the god of dreams is pretty interesting and unique, but in the long run it seems it would be better to just find the original myth and read it from the ancient texts.
What really destroyed this book was the interspersed side stories that serve as short stories with little to no plot, minor bui More...
What really destroyed this book was the interspersed side stories that serve as short stories with little to no plot, minor bui More...
