The Bull Raid

by Carlo Gébler

How much would you sacrifice to get what you most wanted in the world? Your friends? Everything you have? Could a dream be worth that? Read the story of how one boy warrior—part human, part god—took his place in irish legend. In a time of magic, immortals, and terrible war, a prophecy foretells a new king, the death of countless men, and a strange curse that will give rise to a hero. This story has existed for 3,000 it is the ancient story of Cuchulainn, the boy warrior, and the war that made him an Irish hero.

Genres: Young Adult

403 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cúchulain knew he was destined to live a short, but glorious, life. When the raiders from Connacht come to steal the Briwn Bull of Cooley, he will stand alone against them and his war will become legendary.

Gébler's prose is deceptive. The language is clear and precise, but playful and light in places. Although the vocabulary makes this book appear to be suitable for children, be aware that it is brutal and sexual in ways that may upset younger readers.

[Dearbhla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a YA book based on the Irish legend of The Táin. Cúchulainn is the legendary Ulster warrior who is forced to defend the province from the Connacht invasion, and all over one brown bull.

I suppose I should mention that The Táin is my favourite of the Irish myths, and I’ve read a few verions of this story. Kinsella’s translation is probably the most accurate, but Morgan Llywelyn’s On Raven’;s Wing is my favourite novelisation of the legend. And this book does very little to change my mind.

There is little by way of characterisation. Setanta/Cuchulainn only appears when he is doing something, there is little realistic motivation, and I didn’;t buy any of the characters.

The myth is a tale of romance, magic, of honour, duty and friendship. Little of this appears in the book. The fight between Ferdia and Cuchulainn should be emotive and upsetting, here I really didn’t care.

Then again, it is a YA book so maybe Gebler felt he shouldn’t go too much into the emotions preferring to stick to the adventure and the heroics. If so he did an okay job.

[Van Phan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to the myth literature, epic and legendary hero literature can be found in this book. The storyline follows a boy who is placed in a war zone in which he have to make decisions, sacrifices, dreams, and everything he planned. The boy was destined to be a warrior. A warrior that is half God and half human, he was expected to save the world that was foretold to become in ruins and death among the land. The little boy exemplifies the greatness, the power, the title of a heroic figure that is not only human but also one of the gods. Hero literature does not typically have a moral or lesson at the end because the lesson is in the experience of the characters already. As we see the boy progress into a warrior, a man, a hero, he’s aware of his mistakes and it’s time to save. Saving, save people or save the world, is one of the strongest characteristics of a hero.

Author: Carlo Gebler
Title: The Bull Raid
Publisher: Egmont UK
Year of Publication: 2005
Traditional Lit Genre: Hero; Traditional Literature
Recent Award: None
ISBN: 978-1405224642
Age: 14 years and up

[Ever · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great introduction to the Tain for young readers. The author/translator made it lively and poignant enough to place the Tain alongside staples like the Aeneid and Odyssey (which kids get enough of in school, in my humble opinion). Cuchulainn is certainly hero enough to compete with the likes of Beowulf and Achilles; it's a shame he doesn't get more attention. From a writer's perspective, however, I kinda wish the author made this story into an actual novel, not just a straight prose translation. A novelization for kids would have been pretty cool.

[James McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a little Irish mythology, and are curious about the Irish version of the Herculean tale, then I would highly recommend this book. Starting with the curse that Ireland faced after angering a god, it chronicles the life of Cuchulain - or the Hound of Ulster.