The Táin

'His cheek peeled back from his jaws so you could see lungs and liver flapping in his throat'

For jealousy of her husband'a prize bull, Medb, Queen of Connacht, takes her people to war to steal its match from Ulster - the legendary Brown Bull of Cúailnge. With the Ulstermen striken by a curse, only the youthful Cú Chulainn stands against Connacht's assembled armies, but in feats of supernatural strength and extravagant violence, he sets about bloodily disassembling them. Full of black comedy and brutal action, The Táin - the longest and most important tale of the Uster Cycle - is the great epic of Irish folk literature, and the heroic, monstrous Cú Chulainn one of the most mercurial, engaging characters in any literature.

This critically acclaimed translation by Ciaran Carson accessibly captures the excitement, humour, and earthiness of The Táin. This edition also includes an introduction on the hsitory of the story, further reading, a pronunciation guide and notes.

"Ireland's own Iliad... [this is] a lively, engaging and wonderfully vernacular telling of a great tale." - John Burnside, The Times

Format: Paperback, 256 pages
ISBN: 9780140455304
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 2 October, 2008
Weight: 190 g
Dimensions: 197 x 130 x 16 mm

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