It seems an almost impossible task for writers not born and reared in Ireland to realistically convey the Irish idiom of the English language, but Cindy Thomson has been more successful than most. Her account of the early life of St Brigid is told with an obviously deep knowledge of the social history of fifth century Ireland and the rivalry between the old religion, represented by the druids, and the followers of St Patrick. The commonly-known legends of St Brigid, her ability to provide food from very little and her spreading of her cloak to signify how much land she would receive from the king, are skilfully placed in context as the story develops.

A slave at the house of her father, Dubthach, Brigid is granted her freedom by the king, Dunlaing, and sets off to find her mother, from whom she was taken at the age of five. Her journey takes her to a gathering of monks where she learns to read, and it is here that the evil druid Ardan first catches up with her. Much of the subsequent narrative concerns the opposing forces of Ardan, whose druidic powers he uses for his own benefit rather than for the people, and Brigid's Christian God who comes to her aid in times of danger. As news of her miracles spread Ardan becomes more determined than ever that he will bring about her downfall, at the same time taking what he feels is his rightful place of power in the country. Ms Thompson's gradual revelation of the true beliefs of those with whom Brigid comes into contact, coupled with Brigid's own pronouncements on the wonders of her God, give a sense of the excitement and the hope experienced by those early converts. The simplicity of the faith and the certainty felt by believers can be seen in stark contrast with the complexity of Christianity today, though it is perhaps an idealised picture.

The author takes her heroine through trying times and tells her story with a close attention to detail and a perceptive eye, recording Brigid's despair as well as her triumph. And Ms Thomson also uses her imagination to round off the narrative with a particularly satisfying incident that further renders Brigid as a human being as well as a saint.

(Monarch Books, ISBN 1-85424-747-6, pp 320, £7.99)

Cindy Thomson is a former kindergarten teacher and avid amateur historian, based in Ohio. Her strong Irish roots prompted her to undertake the research for this novel. This is her first book.

Buy "Brigid of Ireland" online at Amazon.co.uk

---

Using the buttons below you can save this article to your favourite social bookmarking site