TALES OF ST. PATRICK

by Eileen Dunlop ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 1996

This fictionalized biography of the Irish saint is an odd amalgam of legends, a few available facts, and the author's own suppositions. By this account, Patrick, kidnapped by pirates and sold into slavery, is called upon by God to bring Christianity to the Irish; following his escape, he enters the priesthood, eventually returning as Bishop of Ireland. Suffering hardship and fighting magical battles with Druids, he gains converts not only through the power of God but also by the force of his own personality. Written with the narrative flow of a novel, this mostly engrossing tale lacks character development. Dunlop (Finn's Search, 1994, etc.) relates some legends straight, scoffs at others, and seldom attempts to differentiate between fact and fiction. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable read, and one that makes more human a somewhat venerable icon.

Pub Date: April 15, 1996

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 126

Publisher: Holiday House

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1996

Categories: CHILDREN'S