I Am of Irelaunde: A Novel of Patrick and Osian
Anyone familiar with Ireland knows its patron saint, Patrick, who banished the snakes and Druids from the country. Few have heard the behind-the-scenes story about what happened before the legends. So, Patrick is a Roman captured as a slave when he was a teen. After he escapes, he vows never to return, yet God speaks to him, prompting him to return. As a traveling priest, he grumpily spreads the word of God to the "heathen" Irish, hating every second of it. His band of disciples meets Osian, a poet-warrior of the Fianna, who has been dead for 200 years. Osian shares his stories, challenging Patrick's strident disbelief of magic and disdain for Druids and fairies. As the two become close, and their band of men encounter hardship sharing their beliefs, Patrick is forced to reexamine and strengthen his faith in order to survive. Osborne-McKnight beautifully portrays the intricacies of faith, love, and humanity in this novel.Ellie Barta-Moran