Written in the evocative lyric style of Lord Dunsany, this novel is an exploration and exultation of the classic fairy tale. Princess Niamh is so beautiful that no man may approach her without running mad. Only the mysterious Hermit may wed her--assuming he can find her before she is led to perdition. Author: Emily C. A. SnyderFormat: 250 pages, Paperback Publisher: Arx Pub. (June 2003) ISBN: 978-1889758367

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Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: Based on 9 reviews.

Niamh and the Hermit
The story was interesting and the plot well done. My only complaint is that I wish it was easier to follow. I bought the book to read for fun. Sometimes I felt like I had to study the book to understand what was going on. The dialogue was long and written in a style that required a lot of words with little meaning. I would have to stop and think about what was being said to get the point of the dialogue. There is very little setting description and the author moves between characters with little explanation. I wish it had been written more in a modern style to allow the characters and story to flow easier. It would have truly been an engaging book, one that I probably would have finished in one sitting.

good story, but melodramtic and confusing at times
The story seems interesting, however I found the story hard to follow. Dialogue is long like that of older fantastical fiction. It is long and there is little to find in the speach patterns to seperate characters. The book also lacks good character descriptions within the text. In order to understand the book, I figure you really have to study the appendixes first and then read the dialogue very carefully. This typically is not the type of reading I enjoy for leisure.

Unlike Tolkien, Synder spends very little time describing the settings. Actions at many times seem melodramatic and some scenes seem to contradict themselves.

I give her credit for her ability to create a world and to use Catholic theology, the old testement, Tolkien, CS Lewis and mythological creatures to create her world. She also is a great artist. If you've ever been a student at FUS, a lot of the symbolism will seem overobvious as to where she got the ideas. Its a very Steubenville book.

ps. just to explain something about her beauty. The idea of beautiful holiness being so beautiful it is painful for the average person comes from the old testement. Theologically speaking, humanity needs to be purified from its sin in order to stand the beauty of Heaven and of God. Much of these ideas come from the story of Moses, at least from a Dr. Scott Hahn interpritation of it.

Therefore, it can be assumed that the less saintly a person is, and the more vicious that person is, the less able they will be able to stand the presense of Niamh.

Impressive
After reading Niamh and the Hermit, I can only come to the conclusion that Emily Snyder has somehow been taught by J.R.R. Tolkien himself. As Tolkien created a world with its own history, languages, and legends, Snyder likewise fashioned an entire land, complete with its own mythology, heroes and villains, maps, and beautifully haunting music. Unlike much of mainstream fantasy, there is no sense that Snyder has borrowed from Tolkien, as their worlds and their origins are completely different, though similar in their levels of thoroughness in creation. (I must add, however, that Snyder's novel is faster-paced than Tolkien's, much to my own delight; though I very much enjoy Tolkien's epics, I tend to be rather impatient, and this novel kept my interest very well.)

I picked up Niamh and the Hermit, my curiosity piqued at the idea of a princess with beauty so great as to drive men to insanity, so much so that only a strange but noble hermit might be able to marry her. The ensuing events of the novel led me through both sorrow and joy, and after having read only a few chapters, I found that I couldn't put the book down. And when I had finished, I found myself feeling much like I had after reading The Return of the King-- with a desire to learn more about this author's world, particularly that which might lie beyond the Twelve Kingdoms, and I look forward to more stories from Emily Snyder about this intriguing world.

Great book!
Niamh and the Hermit--great literary quality, excellent morals, well-drawn characters, and a gripping plot. I'm not normally a big fan of romance, but this is a book where it's done right. Get out there (or stay in here) and buy a copy--you won't disappointed. (Maybe I'll write something longer later...)

Sean T. M. Stiennon

Not Your Usual Fantasy Novel
I really don't like fantasy. Though I've diligently tried to humor my friends by reading various examples of modern fantasy, I've never been able to keep from gagging over the poor literary quality, the half-hearted worldbuilding, and the 'easy out' of magic. The only fantasy I can stomach seems to come from authors who are writing in a more mythological sense (ie: Tolkien) and who have obviously put a good deal of effort into both creation and execution. I had assumed that this second type of fantasy author was pretty much dead until yet another friend suggested I should read *Niamh and the Hermit.*

Wow. For once, an author who tried to create a world that seemed to exist above and beyond the confines of the page. Every word Snyder writes in this book is deliberate and well-chosen. She braids several plots together, crafting her characters with such detail that they practically beg for their own stories to be told in sequels.

I was actually disappointed when the story ended, and I hope she continues to expand this world for us. ... Read more

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