Camille Leboulanger

'Le Chien du Forgeron' (transl.: The Dog of the Smith) is not a retelling of the myth of Irish hero/demi-god Cú Chulainn (Wikipedia), rather a story that was never told before, according to its storyteller. French author Camille Boulanger takes us back in time, into the world of Irish mythology. I'm not really (really not?) versed in Irish mythology rel="nofollow" target="_top">Wikipedia), a bit more though in Norse mythology, even if I have a few books on the Celts in general:

* The World of the Celts by Simon James (my review)
* Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions, by H. R. Davidson (very scholar work)
* The Ancient Celts, by Barry Cunliffe (TBR)
* The Element Encyclopedia of the Celts, by Rodney Castlen (TBR)

Maybe it's time to acquire one that dives into Irish mythology, with some classic tales. Not that my TBR-pile isn't already big enough...

----------

While this is an alternative version of Cú Chulainn's prowess, power, cunning, adventures and what not, the main theme for this novel is masculinity (and its impact on the main character, his family, his life, his enemies, his doings in general).

The territorial focus lies on Ulaid and Connacht.

The story shows a Cú Chulainn who's afraid of nobody, a bit like Gilgamesh, which reminds me of the graphical novel I read three years ago (se here). Already at a young age he'll fight his comrades to show who's the strongest. He'll fight animals (large dog, a boar, ...) to show how even an animal can't hurt him. He treats women like objects (to bed them). He's cunning and sly enough deceive people, to make them think he's not such a bad guy after all. Case in point: behaving like a civilised person when asking for a girl's father for her hand. On the other hand, in all his arrogance, when sent out to learn four lessons, he comes across as simple-minded. He's a child who never was like other children, didn't have a normal youth, hence not a normal adulthood. Muscles and power were all that mattered.

The story is divided over eight chapters that take us gradually through the man's birth to adulthood:

01) Les noces de Dechtire: about how the god Lugh impregnates Dechtire, who was married, but could not have a child from her husband, Sualtam; he was a local ruler, yet never became powerful. He ruled by force, imposing his will, but it would only be turned against him, as the marriage was arranged, never one based on mutual love.

02) L'enfance du Chien: about Cú Chulainn's (or the Dog's) weird childhood, where he was told he was special, would be someone to be respected. That ideal was a guide, and so Cú Chulainn focsed on his physical power to dominate his peers, to be stronger than all. Goal: to be the best warrior in his uncle's service.

03) La courtise d'Emer: Of course, as the best warrior, he needed a woman at his side, even if he objectified women. Here too, no (real) love would be found.

04) La forteresse des femmes: This scene reminded me of a scene in the cult film 'Les 12 travaux' (YouTube, at 22:10), where Asterix and Obelix were challenged to resists the temptations of the Island of Pleasure. Here too, the Dog is sent to an island (Isle of Skye) where only women live and rule from within a castle: Dunscaith Castle. There's a priestess/warrior, Scáthach, who's to show the Dog some manners with regards to women, life, and more. For each lesson, there's a challenge to complete. But the Dog wouldn't be the Dog if he didn't find a way to handle it all his way. It would cost him his friendship with Ferdied, his best friend and the only man who would/could keep the Dog at bay in a fight.

05) Sanglotantes noces du Chien: Through cunning and changing style, Cú Chulainn manages to marry the woman of his dreams (or of his desires), but like his parents' marriage, there's no real love involved. Things don't turn out as they should have turned out.

06) Chien de troupeau: This chapter is based on , when cattle was stolen overnight and Cú Chulainn tried to prevent that, fighting every adversory in single combat. Including his best friend Ferdiad, who had decided to change direction after the events/adventures on the island where they (Cú Chulainn, Ferdiad, and a few other "friends"/followers; Cú Chulainn was indeed respected as best warrior/leader of the group) were given four challenges. This personal fight would have a serious impact on the rest of Cú Chulainn's life and behaviour.

07) Le fils unique d'Aife: Aife was the sister of the priestess in chapter 4. Cú Chulainn was mad at Aife, who had warned against his coming, his desire to really learn something, whereas her sister fulfilled her duty, even though she too doubted if her teaching would prove worthwhile. Cú Chulainn made Aife pregnant before returning to Ireland. Connla, their son, would be taught to never turn his back from a fight and not reveal his name. The consequences would be grave. The boy would leave his mother, in search of his father, as instructed. Not wanting to reveal his name, Cú Chulainn challenged him, but realised only too late that he had taken his only son's life.

08) La vengeance des enfants de Calatan: How the Dog's arrogance resulted in a divine deception. But was it a real divine intervention? Here too, Cú Chulainn would have to prove his worth, especially as his life's thread was nearing its end. Some subtle references here: Cú Chulainn is offered dog meat, for his nickname is the Dog, also because he killed a dog, and the god Lugh is his divine father.

Cú Chulainn had a rough upbringing, was promised a bright future, but his divine descent was what set him apart from his peers and everybody else. His power and the fact that he truly believed that he was the best and fiercest warrior quickly turned him into an arrogant person. Through his behaviour and vision of the world, he thought he would acquire a great following, that women would fall for him... yet, in contrast with his determination, his loyalty and his desire to be the strongest of all, his mental view of society prevented him having a bright future. Not too mention that his divine power - battle rage, as you could call it, like the Berserkers in Norse mythology - would both be an advantage (to protect the realm from intruders or thieves) and a disadvantage on a personal level.

His father, Sualtam, as severe or respected as he was in his local region, would not see his son grow up. Rather, he would remain alone after Dechtire and their son moved to her brother's court, where everything was bigger, more colourful, richer.

In the end, as the Dog never lived a normal, peaceful and harmonious life with his parents, any possible friends, ... so too the end of his life wasn't something to be envious about. Something along the lines of "Live fast, die young."

Long story short, even if this isn't a thick book at all: A story very well written, a style that is a joy to read (if you know your French), and a story that invites you to explore the world of Irish mythology a little more.

You really don't have to be an expert in Irish mythology to appreciate this tale. As I mentioned above, my knowledge of Irish mythology is very slim. Luckily, there are various websites and books to fill that void, if only to a basic level. Next to the aforementioned gods and characters, more gods, objects, ... made a guest appearance, like these:

* Conchobar mas Nessa, king of Ulster, rules from Emain Macha (Wikipedia)
* Medb, queen, wife of Conchobar (Wikipedia)
* Cathbad, druid, father of Conchobar (Wikipedia)
* The Morrigan (Wikipedia)
* Manannin mac Lir (Wikipedia) (Which made me think of the same-titled song by the Belgian Angeli di Pietra: listen here)
* Danu (Wikipedia)
* Gáe Bolga (the spear Cú Chulainn created back on the Isle of Skye) (Wikipedia)

General information on the world of the gods can be found in this article.
Mary Jones also has an entire page dedicated to Irish mythology.
The French rap group, Manau, had a song titled 'Le Chien du Forgeron': see this YouTube-link. But they were a little more known with their hit single 'La tribu de Dana'. While I can appreciate the song now a little more (in correlation with Camille Leboulanger's book), rap is far from my musical cup of tea.

And last but not least, if you want to read more about the battle between Cú Chulainn and his best friend Ferdiad, see this Facebook-link.… (mehr)